What is a foot orthotic?
By definition, a custom made foot orthotic is a medical device made
to control the way your foot functions. There is a significant amount of literature that can scientifically detail what
a foot orthotic should be, how they should be diagnosed, and how they should be manufactured. At the end of the day,
you, as the patient, have only one thing in mind--making your feet and overall body feel better.
A properly prescribed and manufactured foot orthotic inserted into
your shoes will correct abnormalities in your biomechanical function(the way your body moves), thus reducing pain, providing
support, and preventing these deformities from progressing with age. Keep in mind that foot orthotics not only alleviate
foot pain but are effective in treating hip pain, lower back pain, and knee pain that are a result of these mal-alignments
in your lower body.
Orthotic Choices
There are two basic types of orthotics; accommodative and
functional. Accommodative orthotics are designed to simply shift your body weight away from the painful area but are
not designed or intended to correct the underlying problem. These orthotics are typically made of a soft material and
are referred to as "soft orthotics". Functional foot orthotics are designed to specifically correct the abnormality
and are the type of orthotic that will provide the highest level of correction and relief.
There are two types of functional orthotics; rigid and semi-rigid.
Rigid orthotics are made from a firm material such as plastic or carbon fiber and are designed to aggressively correct the
mal-alignment in your lower extremity. Despite what you may have heard, nearly all patients tolerate these rigid materials
very well. For those patients that cannot tolerate rigid orthotics or require additional cushioning(such as athletes),
the orthotic manufacturer can add additional layers of padding or use a semi-rigid material. Custom made orthotics are
just that--custom designed to your individual foot; pre-fabricated orthotics are mass produced to fit an average foot
and do not properly correct your specific problems.
Choosing the Right Orthotic
At last count, there were over 150 orthotic manufacturers in the
U.S. alone. These include custom orthotic laboratories and pre-fabricated, off the shelf orthotics you can purchase
at your local grocery or shoe store or right off the internet. You will also find a broad range of people claiming they
are qualified to prescribe your orthotics. Since orthotics change the way you walk, you should consult a professional
who has the proper training to both evaluate and design the right orthotic for you, such as your Physical Therapist.
Remember, an orthotic is a medical device. You should strongly note that the wrong orthotic can actually worsen your
condition or create problems that previously did not exist. You
will also find that the cost of orthotics ranges greatly, from $20 grocery store versions to $600 fully custom types.
Unfortunately, you don't always get what you pay for in this case! We have heard many stories from patients who have
paid up to $600 for orthotics that simply don't work. The best way to be confident in your purchase is to choose the
right practitioner with the proper training and experience.
