Our Portland Podiatrist Explains Why Custom Orthotics May Be Better Than Over-the-Counter Insoles
Getting rid of your foot pain might be easier than you think. Our experienced podiatrist in Portland at the Northwest Extremity Specialists can prescribe custom orthotics that provide the precise support needed to ease your aching feet. Unlike over-the-counter insoles, custom orthotics are designed for your unique foot structure and can address the specific issue you are experiencing.
The Benefits of Custom Orthotics
A soft, cushy, off-the-shelf insole can make an uncomfortable pair of shoes tolerable, but custom orthotics (medical devices made specially for your feet) can do so much more.
Non-Invasive, Drug-Free Relief for All Kinds of Foot Pain
Various types of orthotics can address a range of foot and ankle pain that occurs due to different causes. Orthotics can provide relief from pain associated with conditions like the following:
- Arthritis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Flat feet
- Arch disorders, including high arches
- Callouses
- Bunions
- Hammer toes
- Heel pain
Orthotics are an excellent choice for people looking for non-invasive foot pain treatments that don’t rely on pharmaceutical drugs.
Custom orthotic insoles relieve pain without the same risk of side effects that medications pose by cushioning the parts of the feet that most need extra support and distributing pressure to remove stress.
Interventions That Address the Source of Foot Pain
These medical devices don’t only treat symptoms. They can address the causes of foot pain by correcting abnormalities of the feet and legs, including misalignments, imbalances, and potentially even deformities like hammer toe.
Enhanced Support for Injury Prevention
The support custom orthotics provide does more than offer relief for existing foot problems. It also protects your feet to decrease the risk of future injuries.
Extra cushion around your feet can reduce the likelihood of blisters, sores, callouses, and other foot wounds. These seemingly minor foot wounds can slow you down and, if you have medical conditions like diabetes, pose a risk of significant complications.
When you slip custom orthotics into your shoes, you have a stable surface that supports every step you take and better prevents strains and injuries, even when the walking surface beneath your feet is less than stable. This means a reduction in the risk of not only foot problems but also falls that can lead to injuries that affect other body regions, including broken bones.
The Freedom to Get Active Again
By relieving foot pain and preventing injuries, custom orthotics can allow you to take back your life and be more active. When you have suffered from ongoing foot pain or injuries, you know the toll foot problems can take on your life.
Custom orthotics can stop you from missing out on what you want and need to do by allowing you to be more active and feel more comfortable and confident on your feet.
A Discreet, Removable Solution for Foot Pain
Foot problems are nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, researchers behind an article published in The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in 2023 put the number of Americans who use orthotic foot and ankle devices in the millions.
Still, when you want to put your best foot forward, metaphorically speaking, you don’t necessarily want your feet to literally become the center of attention. Custom orthotic insoles are discreet and removable, so you can use them without calling attention to yourself virtually anywhere: on the field or track, on hiking trails, in the office, or at a formal event. Orthotics can be used in a wide range of footwear, including athletic shoes, high heels, hiking boots, and sandals.
The Perfect Fit
The biggest benefit of custom orthotics is that they’re made especially for the specific needs of your unique feet. Your custom orthotics don’t just fit you perfectly. They provide support precisely where you need it and address all weaknesses, deformities, and deficiencies contributing to your foot problems. An off-the-shelf insole just can’t match the comprehensive support for complex issues custom orthotics offer.
What Inserts Are Right for Your Feet?
An insole insert could be the answer to your foot problems, but how do you know what kind of insert is right for your feet? Consider an off-the-shelf insole if your feet hurt only when you wear a specific pair of shoes or as a temporary measure. If your foot pain lasts longer, occurs even when you have changed your footwear, or isn’t relieved by mass-produced, over-the-counter insoles, it’s time to find out what custom orthotics could do for you.
Beginning the process of getting custom orthotics made specifically for your needs is easy. Make an appointment to see our experienced podiatrist at Northwest Extremity Specialists. We consider the structure of your feet, your health concerns, your physical activity, the kinds of footwear you wear, and the entirety of your musculoskeletal system. Our physicians can help you understand the different types of orthotics (accommodative or functional) available and ensure a perfectly tailored fit through measures like molds and digital scans.