If you suffer from foot, back, or leg pain, and it interferes with your quality of life, consider custom orthotics. At South Alamo Foot & Ankle, Kris Ford, DPM, Jonathan Lorenzana, DPM, and the team use custom orthotics to relieve the symptoms of various issues related to the feet and ankles. To see if you can benefit, book an appointment at the practice in San Antonio, Texas, by clicking the online scheduling button, or call the office today.
Custom Orthotics Q&A
What are custom orthotics?
Custom orthotics are prescription heel pads or shoe inserts designed specifically for you. They provide an effective and affordable way to treat various types of musculoskeletal pain, without the need for surgical intervention.
What are custom orthotics used for?
At South Alamo Foot & Ankle, the team uses custom orthotics to:
Correct foot abnormalities
Improve the function of the feet and ankles
Support weak or unstable ankles
Reduce the risk of foot, leg, and back pain
Orthotics are different from the inserts you can buy at the grocery store or pharmacy. To ensure yours fit perfectly, the team takes impressions of your feet.
What conditions can benefit from custom orthotics?
Various foot and ankle conditions can benefit from custom orthotics, including:
Arthritis
Bunions
Flat feet
Hammertoes
Plantar fasciitis
High arches
You might also benefit from custom orthotics if you have diabetes and regularly experience slow-healing wounds or ulcers.
What are the types of custom orthotics?
At South Alamo Foot & Ankle, the team offers several types of orthotics, including:
Rigid orthotics
Rigid orthotics are stiff and inflexible. They’re made from materials like plastic or carbon fiber. The team at South Alamo Foot & Ankle might recommend rigid orthotics if you regularly experience leg, thigh, or foot pain.
Accommodative orthotics
Accommodative orthotics are soft and padded. They take pressure off specific areas of your feet, like diabetic ulcers or bunions. Accommodative orthotics are much bulkier than rigid orthotics. As a result, you might have to wear them outside your shoes.
What does getting custom orthotics involve?
At South Alamo Foot & Ankle, getting custom orthotics takes two visits, several weeks apart.
First custom orthotics visit
At your initial visit, your provider examines your feet and asks about your symptoms. If your provider determines you’re a candidate for orthotics, they take impressions of your feet. Afterward, they send your impressions to a podiatry lab that manufactures a pair of orthotics that fit your feet perfectly.
Second custom orthotics visit
When the podiatry lab completes your custom orthotics, you return to South Alamo Foot & Ankle to try them on. Your provider makes adjustments as necessary and explains how to keep your orthotics in optimal condition.
If you’re tired of living with leg or back pain, you may be a candidate for custom orthotics. Schedule an appointment at South Alamo Foot & Ankle by calling the office, or you can schedule online today.
