Do I Have To Have a Foot Problem To Get Custom Orthotics?

Custom orthotics offer solutions for a variety of issues. But how do you know if you need them? Learn more about how these devices work and when you could benefit from them. Keep reading!

If you’ve ever wandered through a drugstore, you’ve likely passed a wall of devices that go inside your shoes. And based on the dizzying variety, it’s safe to assume they can address a wide range of problems.

But do you need to have a foot issue to get custom orthotics?

The short answer is yes. That’s because custom orthotics are the prescription version of those alternatives you’ve seen in stores. And custom orthotics are made specifically for your feet.

Dr. Hai-En Peng uses custom orthotics to address numerous issues at Align Foot & Ankle Center in Camarillo, California.

In this blog, Dr. Peng explains how custom orthotics work and the problems they correct.

Why custom orthotics

As mentioned, you can find plenty of shoe inserts at local stores and online. However, there’s a significant difference between those convenient options and custom orthotics from a skilled podiatrist like Dr. Peng. That difference is mass production.

Generic orthotics may seem like a simple fix, but they offer a one-size-fits-all solution for the general population. Alternatively, custom orthotics are one-of-a-kind. That’s because they get produced specifically for you based on precise measurements taken of your feet.

This targeted approach ensures you get the perfect fit. It also eliminates guesswork and self-diagnosis. That’s because Dr. Peng performs a comprehensive exam and discusses any symptoms you may have.

You go home with the inserts you need to address any issues or complaints — and they’re made just for you.

When to consider custom orthotics

Dr. Peng recommends custom orthotics for a variety of foot and ankle problems, such as:

Foot, heel, or ankle pain
High arches or flat feet
Bunions and hammertoes
Arthritis and bursitis
Plantar fasciitis

However, custom orthotics also benefit people with circulatory problems — like diabetes — or individuals who engage in physically demanding activities, like running or athletics.

Why?

Custom orthotics ease stress and pressure on the foot and ankle by changing the way you stand and walk. They also absorb shocks from the ground.

Together, this benefits other parts of the body, including better function in the knees, hips, and back.

As a result, pretty much anyone can benefit from custom orthotics, whether they have a structural irregularity, abnormal walking pattern, or want to perform better when on their feet.

What to expect from custom orthotics

The good news is that Dr. Peng can answer all your questions about custom orthotics during an office visit.

Dr. Peng discusses your symptoms or concerns during your appointment and assesses your overall health and feet. In most cases, he also evaluates how you walk and the function of your lower extremities.

Sometimes, Dr. Peng also orders digital screenings, such as X-rays or an MRI, to assess bones, joints, and soft tissues.

Based on that information, Dr. Peng offers personalized recommendations about whether custom orthotics could help and which will provide the best results.

If you could benefit from custom orthotics, Dr. Peng captures three-dimensional scans of your feet so a podiatry lab can create your custom-made inserts.

Could you benefit from custom orthotics? Contact Align Foot & Ankle Center by phone or online to schedule a consultation in Camarillo, California, today.