My shoes wear badly…

I am looking for a product to help with a problem I am having with my shoes, despite the doctor-prescribed orthotics (dress and casual) that I have. My shoes wear badly down on one side: the left side on the left and the outside right on my right side. Do you have any product that might address that?

It is not abnormal to wear down your shoes slightly on the outside of your heels. Most people strike the ground normally on the outside of the heel. We call this motion supination. It is the first phase in the gait cycle. However, an abnormal strike pattern can lead to increased wear of the shoe. The job of the functional foot orthotic is to help control the mechanical forces in the foot. This can help reduce the wear in the shoe. But when the shoes show significant wear it is probably time to be fitted with new footwear. Shoes will wear and compress depending on the frequency of usage and do need to be replaced. The other consideration is that the orthotic prescription may need to be reevaluated. If the orthotic is not adequately controlling the mechanical forces in your feet, then this can lead to problems as well. It is hear that you should consult with you physician.

- Dr. Charles A. Mutschler, Podiatric Consultant for Footcare Express

I have been diagnosed with a Neuroma…

I am a weight trainer and 56 years young. I have been diagnosed with a Neuroma in my left foot and also developing in my right foot. I have been given orthotics. Will the orthotics cure this problem without surgery? Do you specialize in problems such as this? This condition is getting worse for me.

Typically, a Neuroma may be caused by a mechanical problem or an abnormality in the gait cycle. I am not certain whether a functional foot orthotic will cure a Neuroma in your foot. However, a functional foot orthotic can provide relief or drastically reduce or eliminate the pain caused from such a problem. Surgery may be the last resort or even a necessary option when the problem has become such that it is warranted. Even though surgery is often used to remove a painful Neuroma, a functional foot orthotic is often prescribed to create the proper mechanics of the foot and to prevent any future developments or reoccurrences.

- Dr. Harold R. Reinhartz, Podiatric Consultant for Footcare Express