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1: What do
orthotics do? |
There are 3 main
things orthotics do. The first and most important is that they
control motion. If a foot has excessive pronation (flattening of the
foot) the orthotic is manufactured to control that motion. The
second is to absorb shock. As the foot strikes the ground an
orthotic with a soft top cover can decrease the amount pressure on
the foot. The third is to accommodate orthopedic conditions.
Specific areas of the foot that have pain or painful callus build up
can be off loaded by padding on an orthotic specific to that area.
There are other things orthotics can do like help with leg length
differentials but these are the mail 3 things orthotics can do. |
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2:
Do I need custom orthotics? |
Custom orthotics are
individually crafted based on a 3D scan or mold of your feet. They
are tailored to address specific foot issues, such as overpronation,
high arches, or flat feet, by providing the exact support needed for
your unique foot anatomy. OTC arch supports are mass-produced and
available without a prescription. They come in various sizes and
arch profiles, but they are not custom-made for your specific feet.
are designed to provide general support and cushioning for the feet.
They may offer relief for mild foot discomfort or provide extra
cushioning for activities like walking or running. Since the most
important thing an orthotic does is control pronation you want to
make sure that the OTC arch support has substance. If you press down
where the arch support is and you can push it all the way flat don’t
buy it. Some of these do have some shock absorbing properties. They
also wear out a lot faster that a more custom orthotic.
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3: How long do I
have to wear orthotics? |
Some orthotics are
designed for long-term use, while others are intended for temporary
relief or specific activities. Problems like tendonitis of the
posterior tibial tendon (tendon that holds up the arch) are treated
initially by the orthotic to take the pressure off of the tendon and
let it heal might be considered short term problems but continued
use of the orthotic can decrease the chance of this happening again.
We have always recommended that once you have an orthotic to
continually use it for prevention of injuries.
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4: Will orthotics
fit in all of my shoes? |
Orthotics come in various
sizes and shapes, and some may be more adaptable to different shoe
types. There are full-length orthotics designed for tie dress shoes,
sneakers, or boots, as well as smaller, 3/4-length or 1/2-length
orthotics that fit into more shallow shoes like flats or loafers. We
can make them for all stlye shoes but an orthotic made for a heel
will not do well in a running shoe. By filling out the questionnaire
and doing the phone consult we can determine which type and size of
orthotic to make. We do discount a little (our prices are very low
to begin with) for additional pairs of orthotics so one can have one
for heels and a second for running shoes. |
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5: How often do I
have to replace orthotics? |
Over time, orthotics can experience wear and tear from regular use.
The cushioning, support, and corrective properties of the orthotics
can diminish, leading to reduced effectiveness. If there have been
changes in your foot condition, such as a significant shift in your
arches or foot structure, you may need to get new orthotics that
accommodate these changes. If you have experienced significant
weight changes that might change your orthotics effectiveness. One
good thing about Orthotics4U is that we recommend in most of our
orthotics a deep heel cup and small to medium sized shaffer
plate(wider shelf to control more pronation). By adding these we
give the orthotic structure more support and longer durability. Most
of our orthotics last a lot longer than most of our competitors. The
only things that naturally wear out are pads we add and top
accomodations. Since the shells last longer you only have to
refurbish the orthotic instead of having to buy a new pair. The
charge is about 1/3 of the price of a new pair and what you get back
looks like new. |
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6: How can orthotics help my back?
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One of the main things
an orthotic does is to control pronation (flattening of the foot).
With increased pronation we see internal positioning of the ankle
which also causes the leg to internally rotate. This internal
rotation can affect eveything from the ankle, lower and upper leg,
hip and back. In many cases we have treated a foot deformity like
plantar fasciitis by dispensing an orthotic and patients back pain
resolved.
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7: Can orthotics
prevent further injury or discomfort? |
There is no guarantee
orthotics will completely prevent injuries but they are useful in
injury prevention and management for certain conditions such as
overuse injuries, conditions that need stability and support, people
who need increased shock absorption, help with alignment conditions
via decreasing pronation and supination and for management of
existing conditions like tendonitis and plantar fasciitis.
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