How Orthotics Can Help You with Foot Pain

When it comes to correcting alignment, supporting injured soft tissues, or adding cushion to reduce strain or impact on certain parts of the feet or ankles, orthotics can be very helpful. They can be used by children and adults alike to prevent worsening foot and ankle problems or to aid in rehabilitation after surgery. At Alamitos-Seal Beach Podiatry Group, we offer a wide range of orthotic services, from prefabricated orthotic inserts to fully custom-molded orthotics. Read on to learn more about some orthotics we offer, and how they may help you with your foot pain:

• Prefabricated orthotic shells – These are typically available in supermarkets or pharmacies. They are made to provide extra arch support and cushioning to your shoes. They can usually be cut to fit your shoe size. It’s a great budget option for those who have mild symptoms of foot pain.
• Heat moldable inserts – After applying heat to these heat moldable inserts, you step into them to custom mold them to your feet. This is more supportive than orthotic shells since they will be more exact in the location of support structures. Those with arch pain or flat feet should try to increase the arch support while the inserts are still heated.
• Cushion inserts – These orthotics generally have more padding and provide more overall support to the feet by absorbing impact. Those who walk a lot or stand all day would benefit from the soft cushioning of these inserts.
• Women’s dress shoe inserts – For those who find themselves wearing high heels or flats for most of the day, we have some slim orthotic insert options. These, however, will only be able to provide minimal additional support since they must be thinner and smaller to be less visible and take up less space in tight shoes.
• Richie Brace® – Our very own Dr. Douglas H. Richie developed this orthotic device for treating many musculoskeletal conditions, such as posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (or adult-acquired flatfoot). Those with dropfoot, arthritis, or sports injuries can also benefit from this custom-molded orthotic, which helps with stabilization when your muscles, tendons, or ligaments have been compromised.