Cautions on Retail Orthotics

Over-the-counter orthotics and other insoles have come a long way. These items can do a great deal to help reduce pain and control foot mechanics, especially misaligned foot mechanics. Nut there are some concerns to keep in mind any time you are buying an over-the-counter orthotic.

1. Retail orthotics do not come with a diagnosis from a medical professional. Sometimes orthotics are recommended by an orthotic sales-person or are suggested based on a pressure image of your foot. The problem is that a sales-person is just that. They want you to purchase their product, but do not have the medical training necessary to actually diagnose a problem with your feet. This means that orthotics may not be right for you, or that retail orthotics cannot solve your problem as they are not customized to your feet. You should see a podiatrist if you think you need orthotics. Not only can your doctor diagnose your foot problem, they can recommend over-the-counter orthotics brands which they trust and that can provide you with the greatest relief from your foot ailments. They also can recommend a custom-molded orthotics which will offer the greatest relief and support for your foot mechanics. Also bear in mind that a scan of your feet only shows where you put the most pressure, either when standing or walking. It does not show if there is a misalignment or other foot ailment which is causing you to bear this weight in a different area of your foot than normal.

2. Some retail orthotics make such an effort to add additional support to the arch that they can cause more pressure on other areas of the foot, especially the big toe joints. Over time this pressure can lead to changes in the foot or arthritis. The orthotics can also cause you extra pain by forcing your arch higher than is normal or comfortable.

3. A retail orthotic can sometimes increase arch support without controlling the mechanics of the whole foot. This may mean that you are not getting relief from another problem which you have, and this problem could continue even with the orthotic in place.

4. Buying a retail orthotic can over-correct or under-correct your problem. Perhaps you do have problem which requires orthotics. Sometimes when an orthotic isn't customized to your foot it can over-correct or under-correct your problem, perhaps stretching your arch either too high or not high enough. Your condition may not be severe enough to warrant the use of an orthotic. Be careful not to buy an orthotic device which you do not need.

Bear these things in mind when you are considering purchasing over-the-counter orthotics. These orthotics do offer an inexpensive solution to some foot problems, but they should be recommended for use by your podiatrist. A sales-person in a store is not likely to have your footcare needs as their primary goal, and often lack to expertise to advise you on your footcare. You need to see a podiatrist who is primarily concerned with your healthcare and has the knowledge and experience to diagnose a problem. You should allow your podiatrist to recommend retail orthotics to you.