5 Reasons to Consider Custom Orthotics

Whether you've got a severe foot problem like arthritis or can't stand being on your feet for too long, you should consider custom orthotics.

No, we don't mean the floppy gel inserts you pick up on your next trip to the grocery store. We mean orthotics designed for your feet and your feet only.

Dr. Maurice Aiken and our Bay Breeze Foot & Ankle Specialists team know what it takes to overcome even the most minor foot problem — and store-bought orthotics aren't going to get the job done.

This blog gives you a few reasons to walk out of the drugstore and into our office for a pair of custom orthotics.

Who needs custom orthotics?

A better question might be, who doesn’t need custom orthotics? We prescribe custom orthotics for a wide variety of foot and ankle conditions, including:

Arthritis
Bursitis
Achilles tendonitis
High arches
Flat feet
Plantar fasciitis
Bunions
Hammertoe
Peripheral neuropathy or other diabetic foot care issues
Sever's disease and other pediatric foot care problems
Sports injuries involving the feet and ankles

We can even make orthotics designed to improve your foot, ankle, and leg mechanics, which makes them a popular choice among athletes. Some patients see us for custom orthotics to address back, hip, and knee pain.

Orthotics are one of the most versatile podiatry treatments available, and they pair well with other therapies in your treatment plan.

There are two main types of orthotics: functional and accommodative. Functional orthotics are usually rigid and used to correct and control movement in your feet and ankles. Accommodative orthotics are softer and equipped to cushion everything from your slow-healing wound to your irritated plantar fascia.

We can also create a combination orthotic that harnesses a functional orthotic's corrective features and an accommodative's cushioning nature.

But it doesn't stop there. Here are a few more key benefits of custom-made orthotics.

1. Personalized treatment

Inserts you grab off the shelf weren’t designed with your feet in mind. After a comprehensive evaluation to understand what’s causing your foot pain, Dr. Aiken carefully measures your feet and sends the information to a lab where they create your orthotic.

The result is a one-size-fits-you insert that lasts for years to come.

2. More comfort

Because your orthotics are tailored to address your needs, we can guarantee that each step will be padded and supported in all the right areas — something store-bought inserts can't compete with.

3. Injury prevention

Custom orthotics correct how your feet, ankle, and leg move when you take a step, distributing the pressure of your body weight and the force of your movements evenly across your feet. As a result, your chances of rolling your ankle, developing a stress fracture, and other injuries like them go down significantly.

4. Improved posture

Custom orthotics don't stop at your feet and lower leg. They help you build a better posture from the ground up (literally). With your feet firmly and properly planted below you, your knees, hip, and back also straighten up.

5. Better quality of life

Let's face it: Foot pain can stop you in your tracks. But when you invest in a treatment that addresses the underlying cause of your symptoms rather than masking them, you can finally walk away from foot pain for good.

If you have more questions about how we make orthotics and whether they suit you, call our friendly staff at 727-285-9684 or use our online booking tool to schedule an appointment at our Dunedin, Florida, office today.