Foot Orthotics and Custom Made Shoes for Foot Pain

When you’re searching for the right treatment, there are two highly effective solutions you should be aware of, which include custom-made shoes and orthotics. Despite the similarities between these two treatments, they differ in a number of ways. This article offers a comprehensive guide about the differences between custom-made shoes and orthotics.

Differences Between Custom-Made Shoes and Foot Orthotics

Custom-Made Shoes

Custom-made shoes, crafted from 100% raw materials, facilitate recovery from severe foot problems and abnormalities. They primarily assist with congenital deformities, traumatic injuries, and chronic diseases affecting one or both feet. Conditions like diabetes and arthritis can lead to significant problems that custom-made shoes may treat.

Before purchasing custom-made shoes, remember that designing them properly requires a special process. Before you receive a pair of custom-made shoes, a “last” will be made of your entire foot.

This is a type of 3D model that accurately displays your foot and ankle. They create the model using a cast of your foot. Once the “last” has been made, the shoes will be built to reflect your exact measurements.

While pre-made shoes can provide some relief from most foot problem symptoms, custom-made shoes specifically fit your feet, allowing for much more effective care.

Foot Orthotics

Foot orthotics are corrective devices or inserts placed inside your shoe. Depending on the foot problems you’re experiencing, it’s possible for orthotics to improve lower leg functions and strengthen the health of your tendons, bones, and muscles. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, wearing orthotics may relieve your symptoms and bolster your mobility. Creating custom orthotics requires taking a 3D image of your entire foot.

If prescribed custom-made foot orthotics for a specific medical condition, these inserts can decrease foot pain and pain in your hips, lower back, or knees caused by your foot problem. While it’s certainly possible to find pre-made orthotics in retail stores, they won’t provide the same level of relief.

A doctor must prescribe custom orthotics, ensuring the treatment will be effective. Before you buy orthotics, keep in mind that there are many different types to select from, which include everything from athletic orthotics to high-impact orthotics. The exact type of pain or medical condition you’re suffering from will dictate what type of orthotic you receive.

The primary difference is that you wear custom-made shoes like a basic pair of shoes. Once you’ve received your pair of custom-made shoes, all you need to do is slip them on to start the healing process. Custom orthotics fit into custom-made shoes or standard shoes. Orthotics can be additive to custom-made shoes.

Advantages and Disadvantages: Custom-Made Shoes for Foot Pain

Custom-made shoes offer some distinct advantages and disadvantages that you should be aware of. These shoes provide great foot support, which is why doctors commonly prescribe foot orthotics for more severe foot problems. Keep in mind that not having the right amount of foot support can lead to some of the more common foot problems like plantar fasciitis and flat feet.

While custom-made shoes offer fantastic arch support, they also deliver enhanced support across every aspect of your foot and ankle. For instance, a well-made custom shoe should provide better cushioning below your heel. If your foot pain is severe or you suffer from a chronic health condition, your doctor may prescribe custom-made shoes.

Another notable benefit of buying custom-made shoes is that there are a wide range of different styles of shoes to select from. Along with casual shoes and walking shoes, it’s also possible to obtain custom-made dress shoes or high-impact boots. As mentioned previously, your doctor can help you determine which type of shoe is right for you.

Foot Pain Issues

While there are numerous benefits that come with wearing custom-made shoes for the foot problem you’re experiencing, there are also a few issues that you should be aware of. First of all, it’s important to understand that your foot pain may not dissipate by wearing custom-made shoes. Even though these shoes are designed to provide relief from numerous foot problems, they aren’t effective for everyone, which is why you should set realistic expectations before making your purchasing decision.

These shoes can also be expensive depending on the exact pair that you require. Since custom-made shoes provide expansive support for your foot, you may find the shoe that best suits your ailment is too heavy, potentially worsening your pain. Before you determine if custom-made shoes or foot orthotics are right for you, you should compare the pros and cons of both options.

Advantages and Disadvantages: Foot Orthotics for Foot Problems

Custom orthotics are highly beneficial because they fit the contours of your feet. One of the best aspects of orthotics is their thin, comfortable materials that fit easily into your shoes. Since this insole is customized to the structure of your foot, you can be confident that it won’t worsen the pain you’re currently experiencing.

Many people who experience foot pain believe that the solution is to buy a better pair of shoes. However, pre-made shoes aren’t designed around your exact foot measurements, which means that they might not provide the relief you’re looking for. You won’t have this issue with foot orthotics.

To understand just how beneficial orthotics can be, keep in mind that your feet directly support your spine, which allows orthotics to keep your hips, ankles, knees, and spine in their proper positions. Once these joints have coordinated motions, it’s less likely that you’ll suffer from pain in your back or lower limbs. In general, orthotics provide a certain amount of cushion at the bottom of your shoe that should invariably make your feet more comfortable when you’re walking.

Wearing Orthotics

The main issue with wearing orthotics is that the inclusion of an insole in your shoe can create issues with the condition with some of your foot muscles. The intrinsic foot muscles that are located in the soles of your feet will work less because of the added support provided by insoles. If you don’t use these muscles when you walk or exercise, they will weaken over time, which could lead to other issues in the long run.

Common Foot Problems that Custom-Made Shoes or Foot Orthotics Can Help

Custom-made shoes and foot orthotics can aid many notable foot problems. They alleviate pain from severe foot issues and assist with nearly every foot problem a person can experience. For instance, if you have a structural deformity in one or both of your feet, custom-made shoes could lessen your pain and discomfort. The same is true if you’ve experienced a traumatic injury to your lower limbs.

In the event that you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or arthritis, custom-made shoes can help you recover from the more serious complications caused by these conditions. For instance, custom-made shoes can tend to a substantial bone deformity caused by a serious case of arthritis. As for foot orthotics, these custom insoles can alleviate conditions like:

• Shin splints
• Plantar fasciitis
• Knee pain
• Flat feet
• Ankle sprains
• Hip pain
• Achilles tendonitis
• Heel or ankle pain

If you’re thinking about ordering foot orthotics or custom-made shoes, remember that most insurance providers require orders to be submitted by December 31. At Care-Med, place final orders by December 10 to ensure they are ready by the December 31 deadline. Orders made after December 10 might not meet the deadline.