If your feet always hurt — regardless of what type of shoe you’re wearing or what activity you’re doing — you’re not alone. Bunions, arthritis, and plantar fasciitis are common sources of foot pain. About 77% of Americans report foot pain, though only one-third seek podiatric care.
Ankle pain can be just as debilitating as foot pain, but you don’t have to battle foot or ankle pain on your own. At Momentum Foot & Ankle Clinic, Aamir Mahmood, DPM, and his team offer comprehensive podiatric services — including custom orthotics — to help you find relief from foot and ankle conditions.
Below, we explain orthotics and seven sources of foot and ankle pain that can easily be managed with custom orthotics.
Custom orthotics aren’t the same as over-the-counter shoe inserts. Custom orthotics are prescription medical devices designed to support problem areas in your feet while improving the function of your foot. They can lift flat or support high arches, relieve heel pain, and/or help compensate for anatomical abnormalities. “Custom” is the key to success with orthotics because they’re built for your unique foot anatomy.
Getting relief from foot pain starts with a thorough exam and accurate diagnosis. Depending on what is causing your foot pain, our team may recommend a specific type of orthotic. Orthotics can be rigid or soft, depending on your needs.
You might consider custom orthotics if you have the following:
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of your plantar fascia — tissue that links your heel to the base of your toes — notorious for causing pain the moment you step out of bed. Orthotics can improve plantar fasciitis by supporting your arch and providing extra cushioning for your sensitive and deteriorating heel pad.
Osteoarthritis is the wear-and-tear type of arthritis characterized by stiff, achy joints. Osteoarthritis can develop in your ankle joint and the joints in your feet. Orthotics can help you manage osteoarthritis pain by providing stabilization of your affected joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis is another type of arthritis that causes many foot-related complications, such as hammertoes, bunions, and foot discomfort. Orthotics can help support your joints, but they can also help alleviate pressure on hammertoes and bunions.
Did you know your foot has three arches? They are called the medial longitudinal arch, the lateral longitudinal arch, and the anterior transverse arch. Together, they support your foot and form an elastic base as you walk. If your arches are too high or too low (or flat), it can make walking miserable.
Orthotics are custom molded to alleviate pain and support your arches how they need it most.
Chronic ankle instability can be a result of ankle trauma. Ankle instability can make your ankle feel like it will suddenly give out, but it can also cause tenderness and swelling. Orthotics are beneficial here because they help alleviate pain while helping prevent your ankle from turning again.
Diabetes is notorious for causing poor foot circulation, slow-healing wounds, and peripheral neuropathy. Unfortunately, diabetes affects all parts of your body, including your feet. As part of our diabetic foot care, our team may recommend orthotics in conjunction with diabetic shoes.
Orthotics can also be incorporated into sports injury treatment plans. For example, plantar fasciitis is a common running injury. Ankle sprains, stress fractures, blisters, and overuse injuries are also common. Because orthotics help balance the weight and pressure on your feet, they can even help reduce your risk of stress fractures.
If your feet and/or ankles hurt, you don’t need to suffer in silence! At Momentum Foot & Ankle Clinic, Dr. Mahmood starts with a thorough evaluation to confirm the source of your foot pain. Once we’ve pinpointed the source of your pain, we create custom orthotics based on impressions of your feet.
To schedule an appointment and get started with custom orthotics, call the office of your choice — Michigan City, Chesterton, Indiana, and Roselle, Illinois — or request an appointment online today.
