5 Conditions Wearing Custom Orthotics Can Improve

Orthotics are insoles you wear in your shoes that provide support, relieve pressure, and adjust misalignments in your feet and ankles responsible for pain and reduced mobility. At Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic in Mill Creek, Washington, we offer custom orthotics that are unique to each patient’s feet.

Orthotics can be rigid, flexible, or a combination. Rigid orthotics are made of hard plastics that help with bone and joint realignment, while flexible orthotics use foam rubber and other soft materials to cushion painful parts of the foot.

The type of orthotics you need depends on what’s wrong with your feet, which our board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, Joseph Hall, DPM, FACFAS, determines during your exam.

Conditions for which orthotics can provide relief

Custom orthotics are useful for many foot and ankle problems, including:

Plantar fasciitis

A common condition, plantar fasciitis is the leading cause of pain in the bottom of the heel, affecting around 10% of adults. It develops if the plantar fascia (a thick band of connective tissue extending from heel to toes and supporting the arch) becomes inflamed.

The resulting heel pain is intense and throbbing, making it hard to bear weight. Custom orthotics cushion the painful heel and support the foot’s arch, reducing pressure on the plantar fascia.

Bunions

Bunions are another common problem, especially in later life. They form when the bottom big toe joint distorts, creating a painful, bony lump on the side of the foot. This lump becomes tender and red, with shiny, stretched skin. As it worsens, wearing shoes becomes increasingly uncomfortable.

Custom orthotics redistribute your weight so there’s less pressure on the affected joint and provide cushioning that relieves pain.

Flat feet

People with flat feet lack a natural arch between their heels and toes. If there’s any arch when you take the weight off your feet, you have flexible flat feet. If your feet remain flat whatever their position, you have rigid flat feet.

Many people with flat feet have few or no problems, but the abnormality can also put a strain on the feet and ankles that causes chronic discomfort. Custom orthotics that support the arch can make a significant difference.

Metatarsalgia

Metatarsalgia affects the ball of your foot, causing pain and inflammation. It results from excess pressure on the forefoot joints and metatarsals — the long bones below your toes.

Custom orthotics cushion the painful ball of your foot and reduce pressure on the metatarsals.

Diabetic foot

Diabetes causes several problems that affect the feet. It damages blood vessels, so circulation is poor and tissues don’t get the oxygen and nutrients they need. It also causes nerve damage (diabetic peripheral neuropathy) that can lead to numbness.

If you don’t feel a cut or notice damaged skin, bacteria can get in and cause an infection that leads to a diabetic ulcer. These painful, open wounds are resistant to treatment and take a long time to heal. 

Diabetic ulcers are also prone to gangrene infection that could lead to amputation. Around 130,000 people undergo lower limb amputation each year in the United States because of diabetes. Custom orthotics cushion and protect diabetic feet.

Why custom orthotics are best for foot and ankle problems

Orthotics are available over the counter, so you might wonder why you should choose custom-made ones.

While over-the-counter orthotics provide a reasonable fit, they’re not shaped to your foot’s precise anatomy. Our 3D Orthotics system uses cutting-edge three-dimensional scanning technology to measure each foot’s dimensions with the utmost precision.

This approach means you can be sure of an accurate, individualized fit that delivers matchless support and comfort. Our custom orthotics are also long-lasting, and we ensure a fast turnaround, so you receive them quickly.

If you have foot and ankle pain, don’t wait for it to worsen. Call our friendly team at Mill Creek Foot & Ankle Clinic today to request an appointment, or send us a message using the Contact Us form.