We always tell people to put their foot in a shoe that is comfortable and supportive, but we know that not all shoes will meet this high standard. In these instances, many people consider turning to orthotic inserts to provide some extra cushioning and to help the shoe better support their unique foot shape. Many also turn to orthotic inserts as a way to treating or preventing certain foot conditions. But what foot problems respond well to orthotic insert use? In today’s blog, we take a closer look at which foot conditions respond positively to orthotic inserts.
Orthotic Inserts For Foot Pain
Orthotic inserts are not an effective stand-alone treatment option, and should not be the focal point of your care. They can assist with symptom management, but overall they are a poor method for targeting the underlying cause of your issue, so they need to be paired with more proactive care methods if you hope to actually make real progress against your condition. Some may find that they are helpful as part of a more comprehensive treatment plan for the following conditions.
1. Heel Pain – Orthotic inserts can do wonders for people dealing with heel pain, especially those who walk with a heel-strike gait. As we get older, the heel’s fat pad can naturally deteriorate, which can place more stress on the bones in the area and lead to pain and discomfort. An orthotic inserts provides an additional layer of cushioning to help disperse the amount of stress placed on the heel.
2. Bunions – A misaligned joint won’t shift back into the correct position on its own simply because you wore an orthotic insert, but they certainly can help to prevent continued joint shifting. This could be the difference between needing surgery or stopping it’s progression such that it’s manageable without a corrective operation. Orthotics can shift stress away from the big toe joint so that it’s less likely to continue shifting out of proper alignment, but they will not solve your bunion issue.
3. Arch Pain – Many individuals with unique arch shapes turn to orthotics in order to bring additional support to the area. They may be most beneficial for people with higher arches who experience more stress on their heel and forefoot areas, but they can also be beneficial for those will fallen arches and flat feet who no longer have a strong and supportive foot arch.
4. Achilles Tendonitis – One of the most common recommendations for patients dealing with Achilles tendonitis, aside from trying to rest their tendon a bit, is to add an orthotic insert to the shoes they wear the most. Again, it’s about stress management and offloading some strain from the Achilles tendon to other areas of the foot that are better able to handle this strain without overloading. The Achilles tendon is incredibly strong and can handle plenty of repetitive stress, but offloading some of this strain can ward off or calm instances of tendonitis.
5. Upline Joint Pain – A lot of people don’t realize that our gait and our feet help set the stage for how stress is placed on upline joints, like your ankles, knees and hips. If you’re dealing with pain in any of these joints, you may find that adding an orthotic insert to the equation helps improve the function of these larger joints. Again, it shouldn’t be a stand alone option, but shifting how stress is applied to your feet can actually have a protective benefit to larger joints in the body.
To learn more about how orthotic inserts can factor into your treatment regimen, or for help with a different foot issue, connect with Dr. Silverman and his team today!