Foot Orthotics Comparison

Question: I’m interested in full length custom orthotics to put in hiking boots for hiking in the mountains.  I have plantar fasciitis in one foot.  What is the difference between your $99 model and $199 model?  What are the life expectancies?  Thanks.  – Mark

Answer: Our $99 product is considered a semi-custom device. At Footcare Express, we have a library of engineered shells that are used to match the length, width and arch height of your foam cast impression. The $199 product is a completely custom-made arch support designed and fabricated from your foam cast impression. These custom arch supports are manufactured using a variety of different materials based on discomforts, activity, use, etc. (Cast Foam Impressions are provided once purchase is made)

In either case, the materials are durable. The life expectancies for any of our products really depend on the amount and type of usage. We have had customers and patients replace their custom devices yearly, while others have gotten much longer “life”. Softer materials can wear and will out quicker. In most cases, each of these products can simply be refurbished without having to fabricate an entirely new product. Refurbish fees may vary.

I hope you find this information useful. Should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Sincerely,
Customer Service Team

Choosing the Right Orthotic

How to Choose the Right Prefabricated Orthotic

There are many different types prefabricated arch supports and inserts to choose from in today’s marketplace. Each of these over-the-counter products promises to be “band-aids” and relieve pain and discomfort for foot, knee, leg, hip and back pain. The balancing act here is the middle of the road individual who requires cushioning but some support. In these instances, fit and feel is always the best litmus test. This is the trial and error of the prefabricated arch supports and insoles. A person must know how they feel the most accommodated, whether it is a high arch they need or a low arch or whether they feel more comfortable with lots of cushion or hardly any at all. And then there are the multiple combinations of all of the above that are commonly found in stores and available to consumers.

Therefore, it is important to know your foot type when choosing the correct prefabricated arch support or insert. Some of these products are firm or rigid where others are soft or flexible. Individuals who have flat and flexible type feet are generally more comfortable with products that provide some type of arch support. Flat feet normally tend to be due to overpronation, which may be a case where the foot is absorbing too much shock and lacking support. The pronated foot is one in which the heel bone angles inward and the arch tends to collapse. A “knock-kneed” person has overly pronated feet. This flattens the arch as the foot strikes the ground in order to absorb shock when the heel hits the ground, and to assist in balance during mid-stance. If habits develop, this action can lead to foot pain as well as knee pain, shin splints, achilles tendinitis, posterior tibial tendinitis, and plantar fasciitis. Prefabricated arch supports and insoles for these types of persons are usually designed with some firmness in the arch area of the foot to provide some support and stability in the arch area of the foot.

In contrast, Individuals who have high arch and inflexible feet are more comfortable with products that provide mostly cushion. These types of feet are generally more rigid and tend to be more supinated. Supination (or underpronation) is the insufficient inward roll of the foot after landing. This places extra stress on the foot and can result in iliotibial band syndrome of the knee, Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis. Usually, a person who has a very high arch foot lacks that ability to absorb shock, therefore, they are more comfortable with products that are much softer and provide more cushioning.

The above should be used as a guide. Prefabricated arch supports and insole use with different footwear can also be a factor. It is always best to consult with an expert for the most appropriate product for the best results.

What is a Functional Foot Orthoses?

What is a functional foot orthoses? By definition, a functional foot orthotic is a device that is contoured to the entire foot and used to reduce abnormal motion or abnormal position of the foot. A functional foot orthoses is also used to control the abnormal motion or abnormal position of the lower extremity that is affected by the position and/or motion of the foot.

Custom functional foot orthotics are essentially shoe inserts that may be prescribed by a Podiatrist, Orthopedist, Chiropractor, or any other health professional with a background in biomechanics. They are specifically designed devices that are worn inside the shoe to control abnormal foot function and/or accommodate painful areas of the foot. They can provide stability for the foot and correct injury-causing imbalances. This may result in a dramatic improvement in foot symptoms and efficiency. Other arch supports and insoles may be considered foot orthotic devices, however, they do not have the same corrective properties as a functional foot orthotic. For a professional to prescribe a functional foot orthotic, they must take a medical evaluation and perform a comprehensive biomechanical examination. It is important for the doctor to take angles of measurement, including structural and functional discrepancies in leg length, ranges of joint motion and evaluation of muscle activity. FootLabs goes one step further with the ability for the prescribing physician to analyze gait through video and computerized gait analysis.

A functional foot orthotic helps to control the movements of the foot known as pronation or supination. Pronation occurs when the heel bone angles inward and the arch collapses, while supination is the opposite. Supination and pronation are a normal part of the gait cycle. They allow the foot to absorb shock and adapt to uneven surfaces. However, too much of these motions may cause injury. Many problems with the feet, legs, knees and hips are caused by excessive pronation or supination. Orthotics may prevent injury or deformity from occurring or halt the progression of existing problems and allow healing to occur. If you suffer from sore hips, knees, shins, arches or metatarsal bones, you may need orthotics. In fact, most everyone can benefit from some type of orthotic. They are very useful in optimizing performance and enhancing comfort for athletes.

Functional foot orthotics can be made from an impression of your foot that capture the contour and alignment of the foot. A mold is generated from the impression and is modified to compensate for angular differences between the forefoot and heel, which can lead to excessive foot motion. A thermoplastic material is either milled or molded to the shape of the corrected impression and this becomes the orthotic. Once the orthotic is formed, various materials can be formed to the form to fabricate an orthotic device that is created according to certain specifications.

Foot orthotics are prescribed for many people including children up to the elderly for various pains and symptoms resulting from a biomechanical foot fault. From the sound of this, one might conclude that these types of foot orthotic devices are a medial necessity, considering the fact that no one has a perfect gait or walk. At Footcare Express, we strive to educate people as to the importance of a proper biomechanical examination and foot care. Our facility is accredited by the PFOLA (Prescription Foot Orthotic Laboratory Association). The PFOLA is the highest recognized certifying body for evaluating orthotic laboratories that produce functional foot orthotics. Footcare Express has been active with other larger wholesale accredited laboratories in the country, to come up with a set of criteria that can assist various insurance companies, physicians, and health organizations in recognizing the need for such medically necessary devices.

It is an educational process. Anyone who wears a functional foot orthotic can attest to their importance and how they have helped them become better and more efficient.

Custom Foot Orthotics to Your Door

Get Custom Foot Orthotics without leaving your house!

Read more

Custom Fit Orthotics

Custom Fit Orthotics

Want a high quality Custom Fit Foot Orthotics without breaking the bank!

Read more

Custom Foot Sports Orthotics

Sports Orthotics… Wear What the Pros Wear!!!

Read more

Heel Pain

Heel Pain

Heel Pain is one of the most common foot conditions among runners and other athletes. In fact, the population in general complains of heel pain more than other foot condition and there are several causes. Proper diagnosis and treatment are paramount in order to correct the problem.

A major cause of heel pain is Plantar Fasciitis. Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammation or irritation in the arch of the foot. The arch generally feels tight and the pain will worsen with excessive activity. Heel Spurs are another common cause of heel pain as well as the nerve condition called Tarsal Tunnel Syndrom. Twists and fractures are cause severe heel pain and are usually impact or pressure related.

Treatment of heel pain will depend upon the cause and treatments do vary so make sure to describe symptoms to a podiatrist or health care professional. During bouts of heel pain you may experience difficulty walking, pain during times of inactivity, pain lasting several days, swelling and infection. Any of these symptoms alone should compel you to seek treatment.

Again treatment for heel pain will vary and depending upon the severity of the condition and can range rest to surgery. Avoiding painful activities and resting can be all it takes to reduce the pain. Other home remedies include the application of ice, stretches, and/or over the counter anti-inflammatory medication.

Shoe inserts are often recommended but self diagnosing and choosing drugstore insoles could do more harm than good. Custom Foot Orthotics are available and are fabricated from a mold of your actual foot. Your podiatrist can recommend which type of orthoses will benefit your specific source of heel pain. Please seek treatment if you symptoms persist.

Blisters

Blisters

Blisters are extremely common sports and foot injuries but should be quite preventable. The main cause of a blister is friction between the skin and the shoes or hosiery surrounding the foot. The repetitious rubbing causes the outer layer of skin to separate from the inner layers skin and fill with fluid. This fluid is known as lymph fluid.

The most common blisters are associated with new footwear and wearing them for long periods of time before they are properly broken in but blisters do not need to a part of life. Avoiding blisters is not that hard.

It may seem like a common sense approach but believe it or not the majority of people wear shoes that are not properly fitted for them. So ensuring that your shoes fit correctly is the first line of defense to prevent blisters. There are also areas of the foot known as hot spots where blistering is most likely to occur. When breaking in new shoes, especially athletic shoes, it is a good idea to apply some sort of buffering tape to reduce friction.

Always make sure the seems inside your shoes remain flat. Protruding seams will rub and leather shoes tend to shrink when heated so seams that don’t bother your foot could actually change position or size and begin to rub. The area inside shoes must also be kept as dry as possible because wet or damp shoes and hosiery will cause blisters very quickly. If you suffer from sweaty feet, foot powder works miracles when it comes to reducing blisters. If you suspect you are beginning to suffer from blisters you will notice inflamed or reddish skin near the heal,toes and/or instep.

When attempting to treat blistering make sure you practice proper and sterile hygiene. If you choose to pop a blister, use a sterilized needle to make a small hole to allow the fluid to drain. Do not peel away the skin because it will form a protective layer reduce the chance of infection. Dress the area with a second skin or sterile tape to reduce pain and chances of further blistering and infection.

Blister plasters are wonderful little treatments for blisters and hot spots. They can be purchased at any drugstore and applied very easily to the skin. For short term fixes, Blister Plaster is terrific. However, continually looking for short term relief of blisters is not the goal. If preventative measures do not keep you from chronic blistering problems, it is time to take a deeper look at the problem.

Many chronic sufferers have odd shaped feet with certain maladies. A trip to the podiatrist to assess your foot problems is a great idea. He or she may prescribe custom foot orthotics or arch supports to reduce the exposure to your hot spots. Orthoses in general will bring your feet into proper alignment and keep the foot from moving around inside the shoes. There is a good chance your feet are not exact replicas of each other let alone the standardized shoes you have chosen, so truly custom foot orthotics can make a dramatic difference reducing friction that causes friction.

Custom orthotics do not need to be prescribed by a podiatrist. Any qualified Pedorthist can analyze a mold of the foot and fabricate proper orthotic devices. What cannot be done is to expect that an over that counter arch support or insert will be able to address your specific foot problem. They may help provide some support and stability but if they are not customized to your foot, they will do little to correct a very specific condition.

Big Toe Joint Pain

Big Toe Joint Pain

As funny as Big Toe Joint Pain may sound it is actually a very painful condition for anyone who suffers from it. In fact, arthritis in the foot is most commonly found in the metatarsophalangeal joint which happens to be at the base of the Big Toe. The pain is most often associated with stiffness and as a result walking can become very difficult.

As with any joint, bones are covered with smooth cartilage. The cartilage can be disrupted through injury, excessive wear, or trauma. The result is often a rubbing of the bones and may cause bone spurs or other types of scar tissue to develop. The scar tissue can inhibit the Big Toe from bending naturally during walking and may even keep it from bending at all.

This condition is called Hallux rigidus and is common in adults as they enter middle age. No matter the cause, over time the results are much the same. The articular cartilage is damaged to the point that stress on the joint itself becomes a physical problem.

Those suffering from Big Toe Joint Paint may experience pain while active, while pushing off on the toes during walking, swelling, hard growths on the top of the foot, and complete stiffness in the Big Toe.

When caught early, the treatment for Hallux rigidus is quite easy. In its early stages sufferers may notice they are walking on the outside of the foot as they experience pain near the big toe. This alleviates the discomfort but is a sign there may be trouble ahead. A trip to the podiatrist is advised because if the joint pain and inflexibility continue to the point that a bone spur may develop on the top of the foot, the treatment can be more risky and the recovery painful and slow.

Podiatrists will perform a thorough exam of the the foot and look for signs of Hallux rigidus. X-rays are often used to try and locate the position and/or size of possible bone spurs and the amount of wear and tear in the joint itself. As a result a podiatrist can prescribe treatment.

In most cases, the usual anti-inflammatory medicines will reduce the swelling and help with the pain. Using ice and common sports remedies are also useful but cannot halt the progression of this condition. As with any foot condition wearing properly fitted shoes will drastically reduce the symptoms. The use of custom foot orthotics or arch supports will help support the foot and bring the entire foot into proper alignment therefore reducing excess pressure on the joint.

In severe cases of Hallux rigidus surgical treatment may be necessary and should be discussed with your physician. Regardless of the treatment options you seek, keep in mind that paying attention to complete foot health can stop many painful foot conditions from developing in the first place.

Athletes Foot

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is a skin condition resulting from the presence of fungus. Specifically the tinea fungus. It thrives on the feet because of the favorable environment surrounding the foot. Sweaty socks and the dark shaded area inside shoes provide the perfect breeding ground for tinea fungus.

Most people come in contact with the fungus near pools, locker room floors, and damp shower stalls. The fungus is easily transferred to the skin and under the right conditions will thrive and attack the foot.

Symptoms of Athletes Foot

Individuals who suspect they may be suffering from Athlete’s Foot might experience dry skin, scaling, itching, burning, swelling or blisters.  As the infection spreads the symptoms get worse, especially the itching and burning. Not every fungal infection of the foot is athlete’s foot. There are several other possibilities but Athlete’s Foot is easily the most common.

Athlete’s Foot spreads quickly and if not treated can spread to the bottom of the foot, in between toe and in some cases underneath the toenails. The tinea fungus can also attack other parts of the body if the sufferer touches the infected area and proceeds to touch other body parts.

Prevent Athlete’s Foot

Preventing Athlete’s Foot can be a daunting task for active people who are exposed to the damp dark areas near pools, in gyms, and dressing rooms. But, just using some common sense can help the cause. Washing the feet properly every day and drying completely drying them is the first line of the defense. Making sure hosiery and shoes are clean and dry is also a very important preventive measure. Also, make sure any orthotics, inserts or arch supports are thoroughly cleaned and dried often.  To further restrict the presence of moisture, foot powder is an extremely effective product. Any combination of these three methods can dramatically reduce the tinea’s ability to survive.

Treating Athlete’s Foot

Preventing Athlete’s Foot is not fool proof and if you find yourself battling the tinea fungus in the future, or are currently suffering from Athlete’s Foot, effective treatment options are available. Fungicidal sprays and lotions are found in every drugstore or pharmacy, but serious cases may require a visit to a podiatrist. They can determine the exact cause of the foot problem and prescribe treatment. Self diagnosing Athlete’s Foot may lead to prolonged suffering and serious infection. Podiatrists treat the entire foot regardless if the problem is on the surface or structural. A quick visit to the doctor and good hygiene will defeat this menacing fungus.

Next Page »