Orthotics are custom made insert for your footwear which can assist in the optimal alignment of you feet, ankles, knees, hips and spine. Custom made orthotics can reduce the stress on the body by maintaining correct foot positioning throughout your stages of walking known as the gait cycle. Patients that have biomechanical abnormalities who may require the use of orthotics usually have pronated (flat feet) or supinated (high arches) feet. The best way to determine your foot type is to have them assessed by your physiotherapist or podiatrist in standing, walking and running.
If you have pain associated with your flat feet, orthotics can be an appropriate method of managing your foot pain. They can also be use for injury prevention if pronation is present in high levels of weight bearing such as running and jumping.
Similarly, if you have foot pain associated with high arches orthotics can help support your feet by providing cushioning and preventing injury in high levels of physical activity.
Orthotics may assist in the management of the following conditions:
- Plantar Fascitis
- Patellafemoral pain
- Achilies Tendonopathy
- Shin splints
- Morton’s neuroma
- Bursitis of the hip, knee and ankle
This was written by Nick Lagos.