Frequently Asked Questions


What is An Orthotic?
An orthotic is a special type of insole to be worn inside a shoe. It is designed to relieve foot pain by limiting movement in unstable foot joints, or by providing support to excessively stressed areas of the foot.

Orthotics can range from simple off-the-shelf arch supports to custom-made high-tech devices. The materials used to make them vary from hard plastic to softer foams of varying densities. Depending on the combinations used, the orthotics may be rigid, semi-rigid or soft. In general, semi-rigid orthotics provide the best combination of support and comfort. If your symptoms are mild and of short duration, and if the degree of your foot abnormality is minimal, an inexpensive off-the-shelf insole may suffice.

What Are The Indications For Orthotics?

Conditions helped by orthotics include bunions, calluses, plantar fasciitis (heel pain), metatarsalgia (achy feet), and symptoms related to high-arched or flat feet. Orthotics may also help relieve pain in the knee, hip and low back.

Research & Best Practices



JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS

In children with JIA, custom-made semirigid foot orthotics with shock-absorbing posts significantly improve pain, speed of ambulation, and self-rated activity and functional ability levels compared with prefabricated off-the-shelf shoe inserts or supportive athletic shoes worn alone.
Efficacy of Custom Foot Orthotics in Improving Pain and Functional Status in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Randomized Trial
Journal of Rheumatology. 2005 May; 32(5):945-50.


ANKLE AND FOOT INJURIES IN ATHLETES

The recipe for keeping our athletes healthy includes early intervention, undergoing proper rehabilitation, applying braces or orthotics when indicated, and preventing injuries when appropriate.
Ankle and Foot Injuries in Pediatric and Adult Athletes.
Primary Care. 2005 Mar;32(1):133-61.


PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME

Custom-fitted foot orthoses may improve patellofemoral pain symptoms for patients who demonstrate excessive foot pronation.
Effects of Foot Orthoses on Quality of Life for Individuals with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. 2004 Aug;34(8):440-8


CHARCOT ARTHROPATHY

Using a simple treatment protocol with the desired endpoint being long-term management with commercially available, therapeutic footwear and custom foot orthoses, more than half of patients with Charcot arthropathy at the midfoot level can be successfully managed without surgery.
Surgical Versus Accommodative Treatment for Charcot Arthropathy of the Midfoot
Foot Ankle International. 2004 Aug;25(8):545-9.


PLANTAR FASCIITIS

Custom semi-rigid foot orthotics may significantly reduce pain experienced during walking and may reduce more global measures of pain and disability for patients with chronic plantar fasciitis.
The Impact of Custom Semi-rigid Foot Orthotics on Pain and Disability for Individuals with Plantar Fasciitis
2002 The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. Apr;32(4):149-57.


LOW BACK PAIN

Subjects in this prospective study experienced more than twice the improvement in alleviation of pain, and for twice as long, compared with subjects in a study using traditional back-pain treatment.
Chronic Low-back Pain and its Response to Custom-made Foot Orthoses
Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. 1999 Mar;89(3):109-17.