Orthotics, Braces and Preventive Care

What You Need To Know

Learn how orthotics and braces can support your feet, correct alignment, and relieve pain.

Custom Orthotics and Bracing Solutions

Orthotics are heel or shoe inserts prescribed to treat leg, foot, or back problems. Foot orthotics redistribute your weight on the foot to realign foot joints that cause pain or discomfort. Ankle-foot orthotics (AFOs) immobilize the ankle and foot, and compensate for weakness. AFOs assist with recovery from foot or ankle fractures, surgical procedures, or rheumatoid arthritis. The word orthotics comes from the Greek meaning “to straighten” or “align.”

Flat feet or high arches make it difficult to find comfortable shoes or even walk with ease. Structural foot and ankle issues are not only problems in and of themselves, but they can also lead to additional foot and ankle problems. The most common treatment to correct foot and ankle alignment issues is using orthotics.

Feet and ankle orthotics will modify the functional and structural characteristics of a patient’s skeletal and muscular system into the corrected alignment. At Advanced Foot and Ankle Center, our orthotic specialists can provide or prescribe the proper orthotic to correct your unique, specific foot or ankle issues.

Orthotics treat or repair a variety of conditions, including Achilles tendinitis, flat feet, heel pain, knee pain, low back pain, plantar fasciitis, tendon and ligament injuries, and toe walking. If you’re wondering how orthotics could help your foot or ankle condition, schedule an evaluation with our podiatry team to discuss a treatment plan tailored to you.

Types of Orthotics and the Fitting Process

Orthotics come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are made from materials such as thermoplastics, carbon fiber, metals, elastic, EVA, fabric, or a combination of similar materials. These lower-limb orthoses include foot orthotics, ankle-foot orthotics, and foot ankle and knee orthotics, each designed for a specific purpose.

Foot orthotics are the most popular of the lower extremity orthotics and are often in the form of shoe inserts. They provide support that redistributes weight on the foot to realign joints that may cause pain when standing, walking, or running. These can be found in stores or custom made by your podiatrist in office. Ankle-foot orthotics immobilize the ankle and foot to compensate for weakness, such as with rheumatoid arthritis or recovery from a fracture, and are also used to treat alignment issues.

Advanced Foot and Ankle Center conveniently offers custom orthotic casting on-site to make a mold of your foot. The mold is sent to a laboratory to custom-fit the orthotics to the precise shape of your foot.

It takes some time to adjust to wearing orthotics. At first, they feel stiff and may cause some soreness in the arch of your foot. Wearing your orthotics consistently is the best way to adjust to them, preventing further discomfort and injuries. If wearing orthotics causes blisters, redness, or severe pain, call your podiatrist to have them adjusted.