Page 22 - Inspire Health November/December 2016

All orthotics aren’t created equal she says. “But custom-molded foot
I By Linda Doell orthoses are the gold standard. I take
f your feet have ever hurt from Over-the-counter shoe inserts do add a plastic cast impression of the foot
standing for a long period of time or cushioning and support, but they don’t because it gives the most accurate
representation of the foot in a neutral
shoes that just don’t fit right, you may address individual foot issues. That’s position — the position the foot is
supposed to function in.”
have considered getting inserts for your where orthotics come in.
There are many different kinds of
shoes or even orthotics. Podiatrist Michelle McCarroll, owner orthotics that address a patient’s needs. A
podiatrist can assess what is best for the
And you wouldn’t be alone. of That Foot Doctor in Allentown, says individual because not all patients tolerate
a rigid orthotic and some may need more
In fact, 58 percent of Americans have custom orthotics are arch supports that flexibility. Custom orthotics can be low
profile, too, to fit even a high heel.
said they have had heel pain due to ill- are placed into shoes for supporting,
Orthotics are used to treat plantar
fitting shoes, according to the American immobilizing, or treating muscles, fasciitis, heel spurs, tendon dysfunction,
tendonitis, arthritis, flatfoot and calluses.
Podiatric Medical Association. If you’re joints or skeletal parts which are weak, They can also help knee, hip and lower
back pain and have even been known to
looking for relief, both store-bought shoe ineffective, deformed or injured. help a patient avoid knee replacement by
balancing the foot, which subsequently
inserts and orthotics fit inside your shoes “Over-the-counter orthotics are a re-aligns the knee, McCarroll says.

— and that’s where the similarities end. good start to try to support the foot,” “Many people wait at least six months
before they are seen by a podiatrist and
suffer needlessly when all they need is
the right orthotic,” she says.

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