How to Know What Type of Orthotics to Wear
Did you know that several pains throughout your musculoskeletal system could be traced to issues with your feet?
Misaligned feet cause your sinus tarsi (space between two bones in your toes ) to collapse, which makes your feet roll inward excessively. That’s the reason why you are suffering from chronic pain. But once you resolve the leading cause by wearing orthotics and utilizing other chiropody services from trusted foot and ankle clinics like Feet In Motion, the pain will be eliminated. Feet In Motion offers orthotic shoes and other services, including foot injection therapy, compression stockings, shockwave therapy, diabetic footwear, general foot care, etc. Also, if you’re hoping to find custom orthotics in Mississauga, you can visit their clinic in the area.
Orthotics are custom shoe inserts or a medical device inserted into a shoe utilized to manage many foot problems, including bunions, hammertoes, flat feet, heel pain, arthritis, etc. But before you invest in orthotics, you have to understand their distinct types to determine which kind you need.
Types of Orthotics
Orthotics have three classes: those that are prescribed by doctors to address foot issues and act as protection, those who mostly try to maximize foot function, and ones that shield the wearer from potential harms. To get orthotics at Mississauga done right, check out Feet In Motion. Click here to know more about their general foot care services.
1. Rigid Orthotics
Rigid orthotics are designed to control the motion of two significant foot joints, which lie right below your ankle joint to help improve strains, aches, and pains on your thighs, legs, and lower back. They can also be used as dress shoes. These medical devices are durable, do not change shape, and aren’t easy to break.
Their most important characteristics are:
- Made up of firm materials such as plastic or carbon fiber.
- You don’t need too much alteration to meet your shoe size.
- They’re extended from the sole of the heel to the toes or ball of your foot.
2. Semi-rigid Orthotics
These orthotics are often used by athletes or individuals participating in sports because they are created to provide foot balance for walking. They might not offer you a permanent solution to foot issues but can help support muscles, joints, and tendons.
Their attributes include:
- They are composed of layers of soft materials, reinforced with rigid materials.
- Suitable for athletes and sports enthusiasts.
3. Soft Orthotics
Soft orthotics are designed to help absorb shock, increase balance, and take pressure off sore or uncomfortable spots. They are molded by your foot’s walking action or fashioned over a plaster impression of your feet. They are often used to treat deformed, arthritic, and diabetic foot problems.
Soft orthotics are:
- Utilized to absorb shock, increase balance, or release pressure.
- Made up of soft, compressible materials.
- Often recommended along with prescription footwear and may need extra room in shoes.
- Worn against the sole of your foot, extending from heels to toes.
4. Orthotics for Children
These medical devices are used to treat children with foot deformities. Most podiatrists recommend that children with such problems are placed in orthotics soon after they start walking to stabilize their feet. These can be put directly into standard or athletic shoes.
The child’s orthotics are often replaced if their foot has grown two sizes. Since children’s feet grow and change shape, several kinds of orthotics may be required.
5. Other Types of Orthotics
Other types of orthotics can be utilized as protection for many sports such as skiing, inline skating, and ice skating. They can also treat back problems caused by foot imbalance.
For more complicated ankle and foot deformities, custom or non-custom bracing is recommended to ease pain and improve function. It stabilizes your foot and ankle and may include an orthotic-like footplate. In addition, it can fit a standard shoe and possibly prevent surgery for ankle and foot problems.
Practical Tips for Wearing Orthotics
If you’re advised to wear or are wearing orthotics, you may consider these tips:
- Each time you need to buy a new pair of shoes, bring your orthotics.
- Wear sneakers, which work nicely with your orthotics.
- Wear socks or stockings that are the same as those you plan on wearing when you buy a new pair of shoes.
- Always follow or contact your physician’s recommendations and return to your foot clinic for follow-up if needed.
