Foot and Ankle Conditions Requiring Orthotics
Most patients will need orthotics to manage foot or ankle conditions. Some concerns custom orthotics might help treat include:
Arthritis is inflammation in the joints, and it can affect multiple areas of the body. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types, but there are many. Patients with arthritis often experience pain, stiffness, and swelling. Arthritis can also reduce range of motion.
Some spine conditions might cause back pain, but another potential cause is poor posture. Lower back pain might develop because of how a patient sits at a desk or lies down. Poor posture can also occur when standing upright. Often, poor posture stems from a problem with the feet. Custom foot orthotics may help relieve lower back pain.
Patients might wear shoes that do not fit well, forcing the toes closer together. This can put pressure on the big toe. The tissue surrounding the joint in the big toe can swell and become tender. This leads to bunions, which leave a visible bump on the toe. Bunions can make it difficult to walk. Since they are often related to shoes, orthotics are a common treatment to relieve pain.
Patients may develop swelling and inflammation in the bursae. These are fluid-filled sacs that provide cushioning around the joints in the foot. This condition, called bursitis, can cause pain with various movements, swelling, and redness, among other symptoms.
With diabetes, the body struggles to regulate blood sugar levels. Diabetes might cause damage to the nerves and blood vessels, called diabetic neuropathy. Patients might experience pain, numbness, or tingling in their feet. It also causes a loss of feeling in the feet, preventing patients from noticing cuts, blisters, and ulcers, potentially leading to infection. Orthotics can help patients manage diabetic neuropathy.
In patients with flat feet, one or both feet have no arch. The pads of their feet bear the weight of their body, which might cause pain for some people. Orthotics is one treatment for flat feet.
Hammer toes develop on the middle toes. It causes the toe to bend at the middle joint, creating the appearance of a hammer. The longer the toe is bent in one position, the more likely its muscles will stiffen. Hammer toes might stem from joint or nerve damage, but they often develop from ill-fitting shoes. So, custom foot orthotics can be a solution.
Heel spurs are calcium deposits that cause part of the heel bone to protrude. Some people with heel spurs might not experience pain, but others will. Patients with heel spurs might also have plantar fasciitis or inflammation of the connective tissue joining the heel bone to the ball of the foot.
High arches indicate feet whose arches elevate higher than normal. Patients might experience pain while standing or walking, as well as difficulty fitting into shoes. Orthotics can help alleviate pain and improve mobility.
Various injuries might affect the feet, causing pain, swelling, or inflammation. Southlake physicians will create individualized treatment plans to help patients navigate the unique symptoms caused by foot and leg injuries.
Today’s advanced technology and materials enable physicians to develop custom heel inserts and special shoes. These personalized treatments allow for a better fit, greater stability, and less bulk, among other benefits. Custom orthotics at Southlake Orthopaedics include:
Ill-fitting, uncomfortable shoes are a leading cause of foot problems. They might also exacerbate the symptoms of an existing foot condition. Custom special shoes provide the necessary support for the feet, setting them in the correct position and decreasing impact on the joints and ligaments.
In some cases, patients need only additional support around the heel. The physicians at Southlake Orthopaedics can create custom heel inserts that match the shape of the patient’s foot and help relieve symptoms.
Patients throughout central Alabama trust the board-certified, multi-specialty team at Southlake Orthopaedics. The experienced physicians offer orthopedic and sports medicine services and provide complete care from diagnosis to surgery to rehabilitation. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for custom orthotics at one of the locations in Hoover or Birmingham-Grandview, AL.
