What Are Orthotics? Understanding Their Role in Pain Relief

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Orthotics are custom-made shoe inserts designed to reduce pain and improve your body’s movement and biomechanical function. Whether you’re dealing with a specific condition like plantar fasciitis or need extra support because of long hours on your feet, orthotics can provide the relief you need.

At Leaside Sports Medicine, we specialize in personalized solutions, with custom orthotics as one of our core services. In this article, we’ll explain what orthotics are, the different types available, the conditions they can treat, and how our sports medicine team in Toronto can help you achieve long-term pain relief.

Why Orthotics Matter for Foot Health and Foot Pain

Your feet are the foundation of movement in your body, so foot problems can often cause issues in other areas like the knees, hips, and back. By properly supporting your load-bearing foundation in the feet, orthotics can help reduce strain, pain, and alignment problems throughout your body.

Orthotics are an often-used solution for foot support. There are various types of orthotics, including over-the-counter solutions and custom-made inserts. Let’s take a look at each type.

Over-the-Counter vs Custom Orthotics

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Orthotics

OTC orthotics are pre-made shoe inserts that can be bought in pharmacies, sporting goods stores, or online. They can be a cost-effective way to address very mild issues like foot/arch discomfort caused by imbalances or poorly fitting shoes.

However, because OTC orthotics are not customized, it’s important to remember that the one-size-fits-all approach can leave much to be desired in terms of pain relief.

Custom Orthotics

As the name suggests, custom orthotics are tailored to your specific needs and provide a more personalized solution for various lower limb conditions. Custom orthotics are ideal if you suffer from many conditions, including:

  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Achilles tendinopathy
  • Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Shin splints

These orthotics are made by taking a 3D impression/cast of the foot in its optimal position, ensuring they help support the specific biomechanical conditions you’re experiencing.

Materials Used in Custom Orthotics

Custom orthotics are made from different materials based on your condition and typically fall into three categories: rigid, semi-rigid, and soft.

Rigid and Semi-Rigid Custom Orthotics

Rigid and semi-rigid orthotics are made from materials like plastic or carbon fiber. These orthotics are ideal for realigning the foot and treating conditions like arthritis, plantar fasciitis, and achilles tendinopathy.

Soft Custom Orthotics

Soft orthotics are made from cushioning materials like foam, cork, or gel. These orthotics are well-suited for conditions like heel pain and are also a great option for athletes, as they offer flexibility without a rigid plate.

How Orthotics Work

Orthotics provide support and pain relief in several key ways:

  • Redistribute Pressure: Orthotics spread your body weight more evenly across your foot, reducing pain in problem areas and preventing sore spots from developing.
  • Correct Alignment: Proper arch and heel support can encourage your feet to align with your ankles and lower legs, improving overall function.
  • Arch Support: In addition to helping with alignment, proper arch support also prevents overstretching of the arch, allowing conditions like plantar fasciitis the stability they need to heal effectively.
  • Correct Motion: Many people suffer from overpronation (feet rolling inward) or oversupination (feet rolling outward) when walking or running. Orthotics help limit this excessive movement.
  • Provide Cushioning: Extra cushioning and arch support reduces the impact on your feet and legs, making exercise and daily activities more comfortable.
  • Improve Proprioception: Proprioception is your body’s ability to sense the position of your feet. Specialized orthotics can help you feel this more intuitively and lead to improvements in balance, stability, posture, and gait.

Common Foot Conditions Treated with Orthotics

As mentioned previously, orthotics can be a key form of treatment for several common conditions:

  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Achilles tendinopathy
  • Low back pain and sacroiliac joint dysfunction
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Shin splints
  • And more

When left untreated, these conditions can lead to persistent secondary problems with posture and gait as the body naturally compensates to avoid pain.

How Leaside Sports Medicine Can Help

At Leaside Sports Medicine, we start with a comprehensive orthopedic assessment that includes biomechanical evaluations and a computerized gait scan analysis. If it is determined that custom orthotics could suit your needs, we’ll take a 3D mold of your feet in its optimal position to ensure the resulting shoe inserts are tailored to relieve your unique set of issues.

Once they’re ready, a fitting session then allows us to make any final adjustments that are needed for optimal comfort and functionality.

Each of these steps is crucial to getting the most relief and support for your foot problems, and our specialists have decades of experience to draw from as you move through the process.

Dr. Joseph Kottoor, Owner and Clinic Director at Leaside Sports Medicine

Book An Appointment at Leaside Sports Medicine

If you’re ready to take the first step toward pain-free feet, our team at Leaside Sports Medicine is here to help. During your assessment, Dr. Kottoor will thoroughly evaluate your condition, identify the root cause of your discomfort, and recommend a personalized treatment plan, including custom orthotics if needed.

Book your custom orthotic consultation with Dr. Kottoor at Leaside Sports Medicine today, and let us guide you toward long-term relief and improved mobility.

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