The Incredible Orthotic

You may have heard people talk about having orthotics in their shoes.  Despite popular belief, orthotics are not only put in ugly and/or special shoes.  Custom molded orthtotics are prescribed by a doctor and fit into your everyday shoe or sport's shoe.  Orthotics are prescribed to help correct several problems including....

• Heel Pain
• Arch Pain
• Bunions
• Calluses
• Metataralgia
• Neuroma
• Claw Toes
• Arthritic and Diabetic Conditions
• Knee Pain
• Lower Back Pain
• Flat Feet
• Pes Planus
• Pes Cavus
• Leg Length Discrepancies
• Enhance comfort in sportswear

Did you make it through the list?  If you are suffering from any of these problems, you may want to make an appointment with a podiatrist.   Your feet are the foundation of your body.  If the foundation of a building is weak; so is the building.  The same is true for your feet!  Check out our online product store for products that can help you start your journey to healthy feet. Call our office at 419-423-1888 to schedule an appointment.

What Can Custom Orthotics do for Me? Info from APMA

What are Shoe Inserts? 

You've seen them at the grocery store and at the mall. You've probably even seen them on TV and online. Shoe inserts are any kind of non-prescription foot support designed to be worn inside a shoe. Pre-packaged arch supports are shoe inserts. So are the “custom-made” insoles and foot supports that you can order online or at retail stores. Unless the device has been prescribed by a doctor and crafted for your specific foot, it's a shoe insert, not a custom orthotic device—despite what the ads might say.
Shoe inserts can be very helpful for a variety of foot ailments, including flat arches and foot and leg pain. They can cushion your feet, provide comfort, and support your arches, but they can't correct biomechanical foot problems or cure long-standing foot issues.
The most common types of shoe inserts are:

• Arch supports: Some people have high arches. Others have low arches or flat feet. Arch supports generally have a “bumped-up” appearance and are designed to support the foot's natural arch.
• Insoles: Insoles slip into your shoe to provide extra cushioning and support. Insoles are often made of gel, foam, or plastic.
• Heel liners: Heel liners, sometimes called heel pads or heel cups, provide extra cushioning in the heel region. They may be especially useful for patients who have foot pain caused by age-related thinning of the heels' natural fat pads.
• Foot cushions: Do your shoes rub against your heel or your toes? Foot cushions come in many different shapes and sizes and can be used as a barrier between you and your shoe.

Choosing an Over-the-counter Shoe Insert

Selecting a shoe insert from the wide variety of devices on the market can be overwhelming. Here are some podiatrist-tested tips to help you find the insert that best meets your needs:

• Consider your health. Do you have diabetes? Problems with circulation? An over-the-counter insert may not be your best bet. Diabetes and poor circulation increase your risk of foot ulcers and infections, so schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. He or she can help you select a solution that won't cause additional health problems.
• Think about the purpose. Are you planning to run a marathon, or do you just need a little arch support in your work shoes? Look for a product that fits your planned level of activity.
• Bring your shoes. For the insert to be effective, it has to fit into your shoes. So bring your sneakers, dress shoes, or work boots—whatever you plan to wear with your insert. Look for an insert that will fit the contours of your shoe.
• Try them on. If all possible, slip the insert into your shoe and try it out. Walk around a little. How does it feel? Don't assume that feelings of pressure will go away with continued wear. (If you can't try the inserts at the store, ask about the store's return policy and hold on to your receipt.)

What Are Prescription Custom Orthotics?

Custom orthotics are specially-made devices designed to support and comfort your feet. Prescription orthotics are crafted for you and no one else. They match the contours of your feet precisely and are designed for the way you move. Orthotics are only manufactured after a podiatrist has conducted a complete evaluation of your feet, ankles, and legs, so the orthotic can accommodate your unique foot structure and pathology.
Prescription orthotics are divided into two categories:

• Functional orthotics are designed to control abnormal motion. They may be used to treat foot pain caused by abnormal motion; they can also be used to treat injuries such as shin splints or tendinitis. Functional orthotics are usually crafted of a semi-rigid material such as plastic or graphite.

• Accommodative orthotics are softer and meant to provide additional cushioning and support. They can be used to treat diabetic foot ulcers, painful calluses on the bottom of the foot, and other uncomfortable conditions.

Podiatrists use orthotics to treat foot problems such as plantar fasciitis, bursitis, tendinitis, diabetic foot ulcers, and foot, ankle, and heel pain. Clinical research studies have shown that podiatrist-prescribed foot orthotics decrease foot pain and improve function.
Orthotics typically cost more than shoe inserts purchased in a retail store, but the additional cost is usually well worth it. Unlike shoe inserts, orthotics are molded to fit each individual foot, so you can be sure that your orthotics fit and do what they're supposed to do. Prescription orthotics are also made of top-notch materials and last many years when cared for properly. Insurance often helps pay for prescription orthotics.

When to Visit a Podiatrist

If you are simply looking for extra cushioning or support, you may wish to try an over-the-counter shoe insert first. If you have serious pain or discomfort, however, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. He or she will assess your overall health and look for any other contributing factors. Today's podiatrists are specially trained to evaluate the biomechanics of the lower extremity.
Your podiatrist will examine your feet and how you walk. He or she will listen carefully to your complaints and concerns and assess the movement and function of your lower extremities. Some also use advanced technology to see how your feet function when walking or running.
The information gathered during the exam will help your podiatrist determine if shoe inserts might be helpful or if you need prescription orthotics. If orthotics are needed, your podiatrist will capture a three-dimensional image of each foot. Those images, as well as any measurements obtained by your podiatrist, are used to create a set of unique foot supports that will improve your foot movement and lead to more comfort and mobility. Your podiatrist might also suggest additional treatments to improve the comfort and function of your feet.

*source:APMA.com

Are there Different Kinds of Orthotics?

At the Advanced Footcare Clinic, we offer custom-molded orthotics using the Tom-Cat Scanner.  This scanner is a no mess way to find out what kind of orthotics are right for you by taking a three dimensional image of your feet.  But what kind of orthotics are there? There are three basic types of orthotics including Rigid, Soft, and Semi-Rigid Orthotics.

Rigid
Rigid orthotic devices are designed to control function and are used primarily for walking or dress shoes. They are often composed of a firm material, such as plastic or carbon fiber. Rigid orthotics are made from a mold after a podiatrist takes a plaster cast or other kind of image of the foot. Rigid orthotics control motion in the two major foot joints that lie directly below the ankle joint and may improve or eliminate strains, aches, and pains in the legs, thighs, and lower back.

Soft
Soft orthotics are generally used to absorb shock, increase balance, and take pressure off uncomfortable or sore spots. They are usually effective for diabetic, arthritic, and deformed feet. Soft orthotics are typically made up of soft, cushioned materials so that they can be worn against the sole of the foot, extending from the heel past the ball of the foot, including the toes. Like rigid orthotics, soft orthotics are also made from a mold after a podiatrist takes a plaster cast or other kind of image of the foot.

Semi-Rigid
Semi-rigid orthotics provide foot balance for walking or participating in sports. The typical semi-rigid orthotic is made up of layers of soft material, reinforced with more rigid materials. Semi-rigid orthotics are often prescribed for children to treat flatfoot and in-toeing or out-toeing disorders. These orthotics are also used to help athletes mitigate pain while they train and compete.

If you feel you would benefit from any of these types of orthotics, don't hesitate to make an appointment.  Foot pain is not normal and may be alleviated with a prescription orthotic. Call us at 419-423-1888 or visit our website, vailfoot.com, to make an appointment.

What Are Shoe Inserts?

There are several different kind of shoe inserts.  The most common inserts include arch supports, insoles, heel liners, and foot cushions. 

Arch supports: Some people have high arches. Others have low arches or flat feet. Arch supports generally have a “bumped-up” appearance and are designed to support the foot’s natural arch.

Insoles: Insoles slip into your shoe to provide extra cushioning and support. Insoles are often made of gel, foam, or plastic.

Heel liners: Heel liners, sometimes called heel pads or heel cups, provide extra cushioning in the heel region. They may be especially useful for patients who have foot pain caused by age-related thinning of the heels’ natural fat pads.

Foot cushions: Do your shoes rub against your heel or your toes? Foot cushions come in many different shapes and sizes and can be used as a barrier between you and your shoe*

What is the benefit of Prescription Orthotics vs. Over the Counter?
Custom orthotics are specially-made devices designed to support and comfort your feet. Prescription orthotics are crafted for you and no one else. They match the contours of your feet precisely and are designed for the way you move. Orthotics are only manufactured after a podiatrist has conducted a complete evaluation of your feet, ankles, and legs, so the orthotic can accommodate your unique foot structure and pathology.



*APMA.org

Tom Cat Scanner

Designed with the patient in mind!

One complaint that many patients have when visiting their practitioner is the messy and time consuming casting methods required. Now patients can enjoy a mess free and productive visit to see their practitioner. Practitioners and patients now receive better and faster results while freeing up more time.

The TOM-CAT Scanner minimizes the steps required to prescribe your orthotics. Traditional casting methods require messy plaster, clean up and sometimes requires more than one casting to get the proper mold for your feet. The TOM-CAT Scanning system replaces traditional methods and produces better and faster results.

If you have custom orthotics make sure you bring them when you are fitted for shoes. Did you know that we offer custom orthotics in a sandal! Ask our certified shoe fitters for details.  Call our office at 419-423-1888 and schedule an appointment.  You can also visit The Step Alive Center or our Website for more information about the care of your feet.