Beyond Foot Pain: 5 Ailments That Can Be Alleviated With Custom Orthotics

Artisan Podiatry offers the full range of modern podiatry services, including custom orthotics. While orthotics are most commonly associated with foot pain, they can also help with a range of other issues. 

Shazia Amar, DPM, is happy to offer relevant, science-backed guidance and advice on several podiatric health topics, including the role of orthotics. We’re here today to explore the benefits of orthotics that range beyond foot pain.

#1: Protecting diabetic foot ulcers

Diabetes robs your body of its ability to heal properly. Your circulation suffers, and without a steady flow of oxygenated blood to nourish damaged tissues, healing will slow considerably. At the same time, diabetes causes nerve damage, preventing you from sensing when you step on something sharp or if a sore is becoming infected. 

Custom orthotics can provide a degree of protection between your foot and the surfaces of your shoes. They can also help redistribute weight across the bottom of your foot, giving ulcers a chance to heal. 

#2: Improve ankle alignment

Your ankles serve so many functions for such a small part of your anatomy. But if you have anatomical differences in your feet that change the way your feet and ankles support your body weight, your ankles can suffer alignment problems. 

Custom orthotics can provide the support you need for optimal ankle alignment. After a few weeks of wear, many people notice an improvement in ankle discomfort. 

#3: Slow the progression of bunions

Bunions are a common foot deformity in which the joint at the base of your big toe begins to bulge outward. They often happen after years of wearing shoes that fit too tightly in the toe area, which places excess pressure on the toe joints. Bunions can be painful when they rub against the sides of your shoes. 

Custom orthotics can reduce bunion discomfort by redistributing weight away from the base of your big toe. They can deliver cushioning to the area and lessen pressure while walking. Although custom orthotics cannot reverse existing joint changes, they can slow the progression of bunions.

#4: Lessen back pain

You may not immediately see a connection between foot health and back pain, but the two are closely linked. If your arches are too high or too low, it can change how your feet make contact with the ground. 

When your feet roll inward at an unusual angle, foot pain is likely. But your body does everything it can to adjust to the circumstances. Your knees, legs, hips, and pelvis can shift in an effort to regain stability, and those changes can lead to back pain. Custom orthotics help address arch issues and stabilize the foot. 

#5: Avoid corns and calluses

Corns and calluses are areas of thickened skin that develop as a result of excess friction between your feet and your footwear. Corns tend to be smaller and are often found on the sides or top of the toes. Calluses are thickened areas of skin often found on the soles of the feet. 

Orthotics can prevent corns and bunions by evening out the weight-bearing forces on your feet and reducing friction. While you might need to treat thickened skin to remove it, once those areas have been smoothed, orthotics can greatly reduce the risk of new corns and calluses. 

What’s involved in getting custom orthotics?

Getting new orthotics is a simple process. When you arrive, Dr. Amar will examine your feet and discuss your symptoms. She’ll explain what you can expect from custom orthotics and how to use them properly. 

If you decide to move forward with custom orthotics, Dr. Amar takes precise measurements of your feet to facilitate the fabrication of orthotics made just for you. If you’d like to give orthotics a try, book a visit at Artisan Podiatry today using our online booking page. We can also set you up by phone if you prefer.