There are many different conditions that orthotics can be used for. Orthotics are important for certain foot types. People who have collapsing arches (pronation/flat feet) with ambulation can use an orthotic to help support the arch. Patients with collapsing arches tend to develop bunions, hammertoes and plantar fasciitis which can all be slowed down or prevented by using custom orthotics. People with high arch feet (cavus feet) also benefit from orthotics. These patients usually need a flexible orthotic and cannot tolerate something more rigid. There is not much shock absorption in this type of foot and an orthotic can help with this.
Orthotics can also be used to help alleviate ankle, knee, hip and low back pain. Commonly shin splints are caused by pronation and thus by correcting the pronation in the foot, the shin splints resolve. There are also multiple causes of knee pain that can be seen with pronation in the foot and by correcting the pronation the knee pain goes away. By giving yourself a stable base of support and holding foot in neutral position many times hip knee and back pain can be resolved.
Call Wachtel Family Foot Care today at (215) 368-5319 to visit with Dr. Lonnie Kaplan. I will be happy to discuss the above in detail and review a 3D gait analysis of your foot!
