A Thorough Insight on Orthotics and Its Requirements

Orthotics is customized medical devices that are usually prescribed to patients by a foot and ankle surgeon. These are different from the arch supports and shoe inserts that you already know. The primary use of orthotics is to offload or accommodate a conspicuous area. These devices are used to treat calluses under the bony protruding if your foot, bursitis, and ulcers. You need to understand that our feet are the backbone of our body if there will be any problem in our foot then things can get worst. Orthotics simply provide better support to our feet and using these devices you will be able to make your foot function better to cure hypermobility issues usually involved in tendonitis and fasciitis.

Apart from that, orthotics can also cure several other conditions derived mechanically and is very useful to support and align your foot with the lower extremities. Ideally, orthotics delays the need for surgery.

Foot Surgeon

Time to Visit

You must visit a foot surgeon when you experience one or many of these following symptoms and conditions:

• A sprain or broken bone
• Diabetes or poor circulation affecting the feet
• Impaired ability to perform particular activities
• Pain in heels during morning
• Discomfort after standing for a while
• Change in foot and ankle appearance or
• An irregular growth
• If you see a fallen arch

A foot and ankle surgeon will also treat bunions, flatfoot, ankle arthritis, fractures, sports injuries, tendon disorders, neuromas, ingrown toenails, dermatological conditions, hammertoes, tingly feet, and much more.

Limitations of It

Though the list of symptoms and services provided by a foot and ankle surgeon is a pretty long one, orthotics is certainly not a ‘cure all’ for all issues. Ideally, it is used in orthotic therapy to treat biomechanical problems. This is a very common and popular treatment now for the best results that it provides. However, there are a few health care professionals who are taking advantage to increase their profits.

Unfortunately, these doctors prescribe such treatment even when there is no real need for it. You will be surprised to hear that few health care professionals even prescribe orthotics to patients suffering from neck and back pain or even frozen shoulder.

If it is thought logically, moving further away from the area of pain will not help these devices to ‘adjust’ the alignment and resolve the issue. Research shows that orthotics is only helpful or treating foot and ankle problems most significantly. It is less effective for the knees and further less effective in case of hip, back and neck, in that order.

Therefore, use your common sense when you choose a foot care professional to ensure that you get the best orthotics treatments and results. Know their qualifications and knowledge in biomechanics and orthotics explicitly.

Orthotics

Understand Podiatry

When you choose a foot clinic you must make sure that they understand podiatry and it is their specialty. With regards to orthotics you must understand three basic things:

It must be a customized approach and foot orthotics must be made from specific molds that are specific to your foot. These are usually not available off the shelf or sold to patients over the counter. Even if shoe stores acclaim that they sell orthotics, rest assured all these will be available in multiple sizes. You have to pick one that will fit best for your foot.

If you carry a prescription it will make all the difference. The doctor will usually not give out a prescription that easily stating “hypertension” or “medications” on it to buy it from any pharmacy. Ideally, the doctors will give you an orthotics prescription. It is the podiatric physician that will take care of the casting. A detailed prescription will be made after that that will include materials according to the arch, forefoot and heel specifications.

Conclusion:

You need to understand that being the foundation of your body your feet should be properly taken care by you. If you are a person who usually stands for long hours, then you will need orthotics to provide extra support to your feet.