Foot orthotics are custom-made foot supports that are inserted into your shoes. They are designed to fit your foot more efficiently than over the counter foot supports and helps balance the foot biomechanics. Foot orthotics is recommended for:
- Runners
- People who have to stand for extended periods of time at work
- Foot pain secondary to metatarsal pain, Morton’s neuroma, plantar fasciitis etc.
- Flat feet and associated problems
- Ankle instability due recurrent ankle sprains
- Knee pain secondary to OA, chondromalacia patella, patella femoral dysfunction syndrome
- Leg pain due to shin splints
- Hip pain due to OA or secondary to lower back and or knee problems
- Lower back pain due to poor posture or mechanical low back pain
Speak with your Doctor and/or Physiotherapist to discuss if orthotics are right for you.
A study posted in the American Journal of Sports Medicine showed that 31% of the runners treated with orthotics reported complete resolution of pain symptoms and 45% reported significant improvement in their symptoms. Several studies have shown that lower body mechanics can be significantly improved/modified using foot orthotics. If you are using foot orthotics for the first time it is recommended to start using it with a few hours a day and slowly increasing the duration. The foot orthotics should be comfortable and must be used when you do any weight bearing activities for it to work on improving your lower body mechanics/symptoms.
Written by: Ann Mary Pulprakkuzhiyil PT
Michale L. Gross, MD., Lance B. Davlin, MD., and Philp M. Evanski, MD. Effectiveness of orthotic shoes in long distance runner, American Journal of sports Medicine, 1991