Denton County Living Well Magazine November/December 2018 | Page 19

CUSTOM ORTHOTICS
Courtesy Complete Foot and Ankle Care of North Texas
Types of Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotics are removable shoe inserts that provide
greater arch support and stability to the feet and ankles.
There are different types of orthotics available depending
on the issue and level of support that is needed. 
Basic orthotics are sold over the counter, but a custom pair
designed specifically for your foot will provide optimal sup-
port and comfort.
When are Custom Orthotics Necessary?
Podiatrists typically recommend custom orthotics for people
with flat feet, or very high arches. One of the
most common signs that you may benefit from
a pair of orthotics is heel pain (although you
may also experience pain and swelling in oth-
er parts of the foot). You may also experience
pain and swelling after normal and relatively
low impact activities like standing or walking.
A good way to figure out if you are having
pronation issues is to examine the soles of your
shoes and sneakers. If the soles and insoles
tend to become visibly more worn on one side,
it may be a sign that your alignment is off and
you are over or under pronating. A podiatrist may ask you
to walk in your bare feet to observe your stride and gait
(known as a gait analysis).
If you experience persistent pain, swelling, or stiffness, es-
pecially after exercise or after long periods of rest, sched-
ule an appointment with a podiatrist.
Types of Custom Orthotics
There are a few different types of custom orthotics designs
available depending on your needs.
Functional (also known as rigid) orthotics are made of hard-
er materials and are usually prescribed for pro-
nation problems or joint issues like arthritis.
Accommodative orthotics are designed to pro-
vide more cushioning and support and are typi-
cally prescribed for problems like plantar fasci-
itis and bunions.
In addition to improving your gait and foot and
ankle alignment, custom orthotics can help to
prevent related strains and injuries and relieve
back, joint, and knee pain if it is caused by is-
sues with your arches and pronation.
If you’re experiencing foot or ankle problems, Complete Foot and Ankle Care invites you to make
an appointment with us by calling 940-300-3054. www.completefootandanklecare.com
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