Whether you do a lot of standing or walking as part of your job, play sports, or simply like to live an active lifestyle, your feet and ankles are subject to a lot of stress. Fortunately, when painful foot problems arise, orthotics can provide the support, cushioning, and pain relief you need to make it through the day or your next big game.
However, while finding the right orthotics—both for your feet and for the sports or activities you enjoy—is vital, it can be difficult without the help of an experienced professional. At New Mexico Foot & Ankle Institute, our knowledgeable and highly-skilled podiatrists help patients make sense of all the options to find the orthotics that are just right for them. Here's what you need to know.
Orthotics: What They Do and How They Work
As the feet and ankles bear weight and enable movement, structural issues or abnormalities in the way you move can cause pain or discomfort in your feet, ankles, knees, hips, and back. Orthotics are medical devices that fit inside your shoes, providing much-needed cushioning and support for areas of the foot that are prone to pain or pressure, and holding it in a position that allows for better alignment with the ankle and legs. The result: less pain and a healthier stride.
Orthotics are an effective, non-invasive treatment for a wide range of foot or ankle injuries, and can also help prevent or manage podiatric deformities. There are two main categories of orthotics: functional orthotics, which are designed to treat abnormal movements and injuries; and accommodative orthotics, which are used to make patients with painful conditions more comfortable.
Here are just a few examples of the many foot and ankle issues our adept podiatrists can capably address with orthotics:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Bunions
- Bursitis
- Tendinitis
- Diabetic foot concerns
- Foot, ankle, heel, or knee pain
- Overuse injuries
- Sports injuries
- Flat feet
- High arches
- Hammertoes
- Neuromas
Custom Orthotics Versus Over-the-Counter Inserts
If you have a foot or ankle condition that could benefit from orthotics, you may have seen premade insoles in stores or online and wondered how they compare to their custom counterparts and whether they're sufficient for your needs. While custom orthotics provide precise support and comfort for your unique feet, store-bought inserts provide basic support and cushioning for only a few common foot issues and shapes.
For patients without any serious structural deformities and only minor foot pain or discomfort, premade insoles and inserts may provide relief. However, even when a prefabricated product could help, it can be difficult to know which brands or manufacturers you can trust. We understand—and we're committed to making it as easy as possible for you to find what you need to feel better. That's why New Mexico Foot & Ankle Institute proudly offers a range of high-quality over-the-counter orthotics in our Albuquerque offices.
We Offer Advanced Custom Orthotics
Anything a store-bought insert can do, custom orthotics can do better—and for the treatment of serious podiatric injuries, deformities, and disorders, there's simply no substitute. Traditional custom orthotics are made by taking a plaster mold of the patient's foot and sending it, as well as a prescription, to a special laboratory for fabrication. New Mexico Foot & Ankle Institute goes several steps further, offering the latest in custom digital orthotics. Instead of making a mold of your feet, our adept podiatrists use state-of-the-art orthotics scanning technology to capture a digital analysis of your foot structure and gait, allowing us to craft a prescription based on your exact foot shape and biomechanics.
