Orthotics Are the Best Way To Cure Heel Pain

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It is not uncommon for custom orthotics to be used in many successful treatment plans for heel pain, depending on the condition and the patient.

There is no guarantee that custom orthotics will cure every case of heel pain. As with other forms of heel pain treatment, custom orthotics are only effective in certain circumstances. As soon as these situations are addressed, patients often find themselves surprised by the relief they receive over time.

How Can Custom Orthotics Benefit You?

Heel pain and other symptoms can be caused by structural issues with the foot. Orthotics are designed to correct these structural issues.

The majority of heel pain cases can be attributed to structural abnormalities in the foot. Some may be caused by overuse or trauma, while others are caused by structural abnormalities. Something wrong with the foot structure causes stress or strain in a particular part of the foot, which results in heel pain.

You have a stable foot that evenly distributes weight with a piece that is perfectly made to specification. The piece can become unstable if a part of its structure is off (for example, the leg is just a little too short), causing it to bear more weight than it is intended to.

When stress is applied to a part of the foot that is not conditioned to handle it well, it can lead to improper weight distribution across the feet.

Our gait (the way we walk) can also be subconsciously altered by structural variations in an effort to improve our stability as a result of these changes. As all parts of the body are connected when we move, such adjustments can cause heel pain as well as leg, knee, hip, and lower back pain.

Many people inherit flat feet, high arches, or other structural abnormalities. They must be corrected surgically, which isn't always possible.

While such conditions can cause discomfort, custom orthotics can help alleviate it.

Orthotics: How they Work

As a result of foot structure and gait irregularities, custom orthotics are able to alleviate heel pain and other issues.

Think about the wobbly table from earlier. Just like wedging a napkin under the short table leg, but much more precisely!

Using a patient's foot mold or scan, we order custom orthotics. Materials and quantities are carefully selected, sometimes down to the millimeter, for each pair of orthotics.

In addition to redistributing weight evenly, a custom orthotic can shift excess pressure away from areas under strain by adjusting for abnormalities in foot structure and gait. As well as a better chance of healing, conditions like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis are less likely to recur.

How Custom Orthotics Can Benefit You Long-Term

We may need to adjust your orthotics as we observe how your feet react to them over time as they undergo a "break-in" period before they are fully effective. For those who can benefit from wearing custom orthotics, it can make all the difference!

The difference between patients who wear orthotics and those who don't is even more apparent when they stop wearing them. Do you remember how a short surgical procedure can correct structural abnormalities of the feet? Unfortunately, custom orthotics won't give you permanent relief either.

A significant number of patients have returned with heel pain symptoms years after their initial treatment. One of our first questions is, "Did you stop wearing your orthotics?" Most people reply, "Yes.".

Most likely, if it is not yes, their current pair of custom orthotics have worn out too much to be effective anymore.

The effectiveness of your custom orthotics will be improved if they are regularly refurbished and replaced. Many insurance plans offer a free pair of orthotics each year to their members. Even if your current pair still works (many of them are durable enough to last for a couple of years), it doesn't make sense to not get another pair for other shoes you own.

You Can Get Relief From Heel Pain

A custom orthotic can be used to treat heel pain. Stretching, lifestyle changes, and advanced laser therapy are all possible alternatives to orthotics.

The decision to treat heel pain will not be made until we have analyzed your condition and learned as much as possible about the impact your symptoms are having on your life.

You can contact our office at 949-588-8833 , or visit our website at https://www.ocfootdoctor.com/ Our offices are located in Laguna Hills, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, and Costa Mesa.