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.

Fractures of the Foot

Fractures of the Foot

Foot fractures are a very common problem for a couple of reasons. First our feet are made up many small bones and second, our feet are usually on the front lines in most of human activity. If you are in motion so are your feet.

Here are a few of the most common fractures of the foot and ankle fractures. A fracture of the heel is called a Calcaneus fracture. It’s treatment will depend on how severe the fracture is. There are surgical options as well as immobilization and rest. Without proper care this type of fracture can lead to chronic heel pain.

A talar bone fracture is a horrible injury because of the importance the talar bone plays in both the foot and the ankle. There is connective tissue from the talar to both the hind foot and the ankle and injuries here often require surgical repairs. Complications with a talus fracture are a predisposition to arthritis and chronic foot and/or ankle pain.

A metatarsal fracture is a very common problem and results in mild to severe foot pain. Sudden increases in activity are often behind a metatarsal stress fracture. This type has a nickname of “march fracture” because it is prevalent among new soldiers because they put so much new stress on their feet.

A fracture of the fifth metatarsal is known as a Jones fracture.  People suffering from this type of fracture my notice pain in and around the mid foot to the outside of the foot. This can result in swelling and pain when walking.

A stress fracture occurring in the midfoot below the ankle is called a navicular stress fracture. It is characterized by general pain in the midfoot with more acute pain during activity. This type of stress is commonly treated with a cast.

The above are a just a few of the common fracture in and around the foot. There are many reasons people suffer foot pain and it is not safe to assume you have a some sort of fracture. If you are experiencing any type of foot pain consult a physician or more specifically a podiatrist.

Drop Foot

Drop Foot

Drop foot is the difficulty when lifting the front part of the foot. It is identified when someone drags the front of their foot when walking. This is not due to a disease or infection, it has to with an anatomical malady. If drop foot is a permanent condition and not temporary due to recovering from a foot injury, corrective measures can be taken to cure it. Ankle braces are available to support the foot while walking.

Drop Foot usually only occurs in one of the feet and can often only be noticed when the foot is spotted being dragged. It is due to a weakness, or sometimes paralysis of the muscles below the knee which function to lift the front part of the foot during motion. The damage to the muscles may be anatomical, neurological or as a result of injury.

Injuries often cause damage to muscles supporting the toes and the ankles and this can contribute to foot drop. Nerve damage can certainly be a culprit and keep in mind that diabetes can cause nerve damage in the feet. Nerve damage in the lower extremities is also very common after surgical procedures such as knee or hip replacement.

Disorders of the central nervous system can also contribute to drop foot.  These may include ALS, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. Reactions to drugs or therapies for these conditions can also lead to nerve damage resulting in symptoms of Drop Foot.

It is definitely recommended that you seek treatment if you notice any symptoms of drop foot which you cannot connect with a temporary injury. Podiatrists can fit you with ankle braces or shoe splints which hold your foot in its normal position. Certain custom foot orthotics will help keep the foot in proper alignment as well. Depending on the cause of the Drop Foot, nerve stimulation and/or physical therapy can be effective in strengthening muscles and nerves. There also surgical procedures to correct nerve damage that might be contributing to drop foot, so seeing a doctor is recommended as soon as you suspect you might be suffering from a foot drop problem.

Cracked Heels

Cracked Heels

Cracked heels, or heel fissures, are an extremely common foot condition. For the most part it is caused by dry skin and exhaserbated  by thick or callus skin. Generally cracked heals are nothing more than a cosmetic problem but the condition can become painful if the cracks themselves are deep into the layers of the skin. It is also possible for these deep cracks to become infected so it is important to pay attention to cracked heels if they become painful.

It’s easy to differentiate between dry skin and cracked heels because with cracked heels you will noticed the dried skin will begin to turn a yellowish color at first and may appear brown along the sides of the heal. It becomes really obvious when small cracks in the skin appear because dry skin does not normally produce such a result.

Although it is a good idea to use a good skin moisturizer when dry skin appears anywhere on the foot, it may become necessary to seek treatment if and when it becomes painful to put weight on the heels and/or chunks of skin around the begin to separate and cause open wounds.

There are several causes contributing to cracked heels and one is just simply the propensity for dry skin. Another has to do with the way you walk and how your foot strikes the ground during your striding. Other factors which may contribute to cracked heels could be excessive standing, obesity, wearing open back shoes and skin conditions.

Just think for a moment. Standing too long can put undue pressure on the foot and cause the padding of the foot to try and expand. Open ended shoes do not support the heal properly and being overweight can force the weight bearing sections of the foot to flatten out and expand the heel. Our feet can only accept a finite amount of weight and anything more than that sends the foot pads of the feet looking for help. The result is a flattening of the fatty internal pads and expansion of the skin.

If you believe you are beginning to suffer from cracked heels you should first try using a quality cracked heel cream found in any drugstore. Follow the directions on the package and expect to have to moisturize twice a day. Another self treatment is the use of pumice stones to exfoliate skin of the heel. If a pumice stone does not help peel away extra layers of skin it is not a good idea to clip or cut the skin away. Let a podiatrist or other specialist help with this because any self cutting could lead to infection.

A podiatrist will have many treatment alternatives from prescription moisturizes to custom foot orthotics to provide more support for the foot and reducing the tendency for the skin to expand. Orthopedic shoes prove successful in many cases as do heel cups in your current shoes. Having and dealing with cracked heels is one thing, but finding out what may be causing yours is worth a quick trip to the podiatrist to ensure proper foot care.

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.