Custom Orthotics
Do you need assistance with walking?
Custom Orthotics Could Help Ease Discomfort.
Did you know that as you get older, your feet change? Natural changes in the structure of your foot, the support of your ligaments, and complications from previous injuries will all cause strain and pain.
Is it tough for you to get through the day because of leg or foot pain? Are you avoiding movement because you’re worried about the stress it may place on your lower extremities?
If this is the case, custom orthotics from Zenith Physiotherapy and Wellness can make your daily tasks much more relaxed and manageable. Custom orthotics give your feet additional support and relaxation.
If this sounds like something you could benefit from, contact our Airdrie physiotherapy practice for an appointment and learn more about how we can help relieve your foot pain with custom orthotics.
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Reasons for foot pain
Several conditions that are closely related to the feet can cause foot problems. Foot pain can be caused by illnesses and disorders that affect the whole body.
The disorders or diseases mentioned below are only a few examples of what can cause foot pain.
Physical exercise should be used to cure any of these conditions:
Arthritis
- Arthritis is one of the most common diseases. It is a debilitating joint disease that can affect the joints throughout the foot. Stiffness and swelling in the joints can eventually lead to permanent damage. This can affect the way you stand or walk.
Plantar Fasciitis
- This condition can be caused by obesity, age, and standing for long periods on your feet.
- It manifests as pain felt along the sole, especially in the region connecting the heel bone to the toes.
- This is caused by tightened or inflamed tissues around the bottom of the feet. Pain in the heel or arch of the foot is also possible.
Heel Spurs
- Heel spurs can be caused by much of the same risk factors that affect plantar fasciitis. There is a bony protrusion on the heel that is usually composed of calcium buildup.
- Although the spurs themselves are not painful, they will prick the tissues in the heel and inflict extreme pain.
Diabetes
- Diabetes can lead to foot problems because of restricted blood flow and nerve damage. When nerves are damaged through diabetes this is referred to as neuropathy, which can be particularly painful to deal with.
- When the muscles in the foot no longer work properly together, it may result in uneven strain on the foot.
- In severe situations, the unequal strain will cause sores, infections, and even amputation. Diabetes-related foot conditions can be avoided when wearing appropriate footwear.
Metatarsalgia
- Metatarsalgia is a painful condition that affects the soles of the feet
- This condition is often exacerbated by ill-fitting or restricting boots. This is a crippling condition that affects the knees, bones, and the ball of the foot.
- Orthotics are often used to help relieve the pain associated with metatarsalgia.
- Such easily treatable disorders include patellofemoral knee inflammation, shin splints, Achilles tendonitis, and bunions, as well as a variety of chronic pathologies that impair lower limb function (such as diabetes)
- The good news is… our physiotherapy clinic will help you ease pressure and strengthen the injury you’re grappling with with your foot.
How do custom orthotics improve foot and leg pain?
Orthotics are similar to insoles, but they are custom-designed and made of materials that can last longer than prefabricated orthotics. They are devices that are custom-made to suit your feet perfectly.
Custom orthotic inserts will improve how your feet and lower legs feel and function. Although custom orthotics are more expensive than off-the-shelf devices, they last much longer and provide more support or correction.
There are generally three types of custom orthotics, including:
If the shape of your feet is irregular, these types of orthotics can assist heel support, forward movement, and general stability.
These are created to help you relieve the stress on joints that is often caused by conditions such as arthritis.
These will help your feet to move better or bear weight in a way that will help you move and walk better.
What should I expect when getting orthotics?
Quality orthotics can alleviate pain, reduce stiffness, and improve mobility. You will require personalized orthotics that are designed to suit the precise shape of the foot to reap the most benefits. We are well-equipped as physiotherapists to address musculoskeletal disorders that impair movement. We are well-versed in gait analysis and lower extremity biomechanics.
When providing custom orthotics, your physiotherapist will have a thorough understanding of your existing medical problems as well as your level of exercise.
They will also perform diagnostic tests on you as well as a custom fitting to decide what kind of orthotic fit will be most comfortable on your feet. We will make orthotics that are tailored to the contours of your feet, giving you the most function, protection, and comfort. After your test and fitting, your personalized orthotics would most likely take a few weeks to come from the lab.
Following the receipt of your orthotics, you will most likely be expected to have an ongoing evaluation of how your orthotics are functioning. Fine-tuning may be needed to achieve the best results possible, but bear in mind that our physiotherapists will be with you every step of the way to ensure your end goal is accomplished!