Put Your Best Foot Forward This Year with Orthotics

Foot pain, whether it’s from a deformity, injury, or biomechanical issue, can make it difficult to do simple things, like walk or wear certain shoes. But with orthotics, you can rid yourself of aches and pains in your feet or ankles.

Here at Town Center Foot & Ankle, Dr. Stephen Eichelsdorfer and his team want you to put your best foot forward this year with orthotics, so you can enjoy doing the activities you love without pain and aches. Read on to learn more about the benefits and types of orthotics.

Orthotics address a variety of health concerns

Custom-made orthotics can help address biomechanical foot problems, like how you walk, and other medical conditions outside of the feet and ankles. Certain conditions or pain that affect your back may actually start with your feet. 

Inward rolling arches or flat feet, for example, can give you back pain, as the lack of cushioning and the impact can send pain signals to your back. Some medical conditions orthotics can help treat include:

• Arthritis
• Heel spurs
• Bunions
• Hammertoe
• Plantar fasciitis
• Ankle injuries

Orthotics can also help prevent conditions from worsening, which lowers your risk of needing surgery.

Types of orthotics

Orthotics come in a variety of materials, and certain conditions or concerns require a specific material.

Rigid orthotics

Rigid orthotics, often called functional orthotics, consist of materials, like carbon fiber or plastic. Rigid orthotics work best for dress shoes and walking shoes. They can help reduce aches and pains in your feet, as well as your legs, thighs, and lower back.  

Accommodative orthotics

Accommodative orthotics, or soft orthotics, offer more flexibility and comfort compared with rigid materials.

Accommodative orthotics help relieve pressure on your feet to reduce pain caused by conditions, like plantar fasciitis or heel pain. 

Sport orthotics

Orthotics can do more than correct and address foot pain, they’re also used in sports therapy to help prevent a sports-related injury.

When to get orthotics

Understanding your biomechanics can be tricky, as you may not be able to tell how your feet strike the ground. In general, if you experience pain and discomfort in your feet, or it feels like your foot or ankle isn’t functioning right, you might need orthotics.

Dr. Eichelsdorfer may also recommend orthotics if you recently suffered an ankle or foot injury. Wearing custom-made orthotics can help with your recovery while preventing further injuries.

Getting your orthotics

Orthotics from Dr. Eichelsdorfer are custom-made to match your feet, and he designs them based on your condition, activities, and what type of footwear you need.

When you first see Dr. Eichelsdorfer, he asks you what symptoms you’re experiencing, how severe they are, and what activities cause pain. He also examines your feet to look for any abnormalities, like bunions.

Dr. Eichelsdorfer then uses a laser scanner to take digital images of your foot, which lets him create orthotics that match your foot’s shape and size. The end result is custom-fitted orthotics that provide you with comfort and pain relief.

Want to learn more about orthotics and how they can help you? Contact one of our offices, located in Kingwood and Atascocita, Texas, by phone to schedule an appointment, or visit our website to request one.