How Custom Orthotics Relieve Your Foot Pain

Your feet support the weight of your body when standing, walking, and climbing stairs. Given all of the stress your feet endure every day, it may not come as much of a surprise that foot pain is a common complaint.

Foot pain is one of the many pain conditions our team at Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland, in Midland, Michigan, treats. As an urgent care clinic, we primarily see patients with acute foot pain from injuries. But we also provide immediate care for exacerbation of chronic foot conditions. 

When you have ongoing foot problems, you may want a long-term solution. Many of our patients get relief from their foot pain with custom orthotics. Here, we tell you about custom orthotics and how they can help relieve your foot pain.

About custom orthotics

Custom orthotics are medical devices that you put in your shoe to address a specific foot condition. Unlike the shoe inserts you can purchase at your local pharmacy, custom orthotics are designed specifically to fit your foot. 

Podiatrists use lasers, foam boxes, or plaster casts to create a mold of your feet that they use to make your custom orthotic. Depending on your foot condition, your orthotics may be rigid or soft. 

Rigid orthotics

Rigid orthotics, also called functional orthotics, are made of durable, hard plastic. These types of custom orthotics improve the biomechanics of your foot, meaning how your foot moves during locomotion.

Soft orthotics

Soft orthotics, also called accommodative orthotics, are made from flexible material and provide cushioning in the shoe, taking pressure off of sore areas of the foot. Because these are made from softer material, they may work better with prescription footwear that provides the additional room necessary for the shoe insert. 

You can also get custom orthotics for your ski boots or ice skates. 

Custom orthotics for foot pain

Custom orthotics are used to treat many foot conditions that cause pain. You may benefit from these medical devices if you have:

• Corns and calluses
• Foot ulcers
• Tendonitis
• Heel pain
• Plantar fasciitis
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Chronic ankle instability

Though made for the feet, custom orthotics also benefit your knees, hips, and back by providing additional weight-bearing support for these large joints. 

Podiatrists often prescribe custom orthotics to prevent or delay foot surgery. 

When to visit urgent care

We do manage foot conditions at Pro-Health Urgent Care of Midland. If you have an acute injury or severe foot pain and you can’t get in to see your foot doctor, you may want to visit urgent care. 

Our team of health professionals has more than 30 years of combined emergency room and urgent care experience. We can diagnose the cause of your foot pain and provide the immediate care you need to get relief.

We can also take a look at your custom orthotic to make sure it’s providing the support your foot needs. Though durable, orthotics can develop cracks or wear down over time. Additionally, your foot might change, affecting the fit of your orthotics.

Custom orthotics are a long-term solution for ongoing foot problems. But they may not help all that much if you have an acute injury or an exacerbation of your foot condition. If you need urgent help for your foot pain, call our office or schedule an appointment online now.