How Orthotics Support Lasting Foot Health

Orthotics are a powerful tool for your feet. They improve alignment, redistribute pressure evenly, and decrease stress on your soft tissues when used properly. Over time, this can help slow deformity progression, manage chronic pain, and allow you to stay active.

Learn how orthotics work long-term when prescribed wisely and used consistently.

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics are shoe inserts used to change the function of your feet. Ideally, orthotics improve alignment, control unwanted movement, and redistribute pressures under your feet.

Orthotics don’t just pad pain areas, they change your mechanics. By positioning your feet closer to neutral, orthotics decrease excessive pronation or supination. They can also limit repetitive motion at your plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, and forefoot.

Orthotics matched to your diagnosis and footwear promote healthier movement patterns while walking or standing.

Types of Orthotics

There are several types of orthotics with slightly different indications.

• Custom rigid orthotics – Designed to correct structure and treat severe biomechanical issues.

• Custom soft orthotics – Foam orthotics designed with cushioning in mind.

• Prefabricated orthotics – OTC inserts that provide general arch support and pressure redistribution.

• Accommodative orthotics – Devices designed to accommodate or “offload” areas of high pressure.

• Heel lifts – Inserts used to help with leg-length inequality or decrease stress on the Achilles tendon.

Every patient isn’t an ideal candidate for every type of orthotic. It’s important that they are properly matched to your needs to provide long term benefits.

Conditions That Orthotics Help With

Orthotics can be useful for many different conditions.

• Plantar fasciitis

• Flatfoot (Pes Planus)

• High arches (Pes Cavus)

• Metatarsalgia

• Achilles tendonitis

• Mild bunion pain

• Diabetic foot pressure

Athletes, runners, people who stand all day, and patients with diabetes see the biggest benefits to load redistribution and long-term symptom control when orthotics are used as part of an overall treatment plan.

How Orthotics Improve Foot Health Long-Term

Manage Pain by Redistribution Force

Orthotics work by changing where pressure is applied through the feet. By taking stress off of irritated tissue, those structures can rest more efficiently.

This allows many conditions to improve faster, while also decreasing your need for medications or time spent resting.

Correct Alignment and Gait Mechanics

Orthotics can also improve your posture and alignment when walking or running. By supporting the arch and controlling heel motion, orthotics can help realign the lower half of your body.

You may see improvements in your knees, hips, and back when you wear orthotics consistently. Over time, this can also teach your muscles to move more efficiently.

Slow Progression of Deformity

Most deformities of the foot are progressive. This means they typically tend to get worse over time.

While orthotics can’t correct years of deformity, they can slow progression by improving your mechanics. Catching these problems early is key.

What Else Improves with Long-Term Orthotic Use?

In addition to slowing deformity, long-term orthotic use can:

• Decrease your risk of developing calluses

• Improve your walking economy

• Reduce the chance of overuse injury recurrence

• Protect your knees, hips, and spine

When you add orthotics to a regimen of foot strengthening and proper footwear, you can improve the longevity of your treatment.

Find the Right Orthotics For You

Not all orthotics are created equal. Here’s what you need to know when picking the right pair:

• Take note of your arch height and shape

• Identify where you feel most of your pain

• Analyze your gait mechanics

• Assess your activity level and typical footwear

• Make sure the material is durable enough for your lifestyle

Even a slight adjustment to the stiffness or shape of your orthotic can impact your comfort level.

A professional evaluation by someone trained in prescribing orthotics can help guide you in the right direction.

Here at Treasure Valley Foot & Ankle, we take into account your clinical exam, gait analysis, and pressure plate data to customize your prescription. Every patient’s orthotics are unique and should be.

Cleaning & Orthotic Maintenance

Like shoes and socks, orthotics need to be cleaned. Here’s how to care for them long-term.

You can easily clean your orthotics at home.

• Wash with mild soap and water

• Gently dry with a towel

• Allow them to air dry fully before wearing them again

Avoid using hot water or leaving them to dry on high heat.

Checking for Wear and Tear

Once a month, check your orthotics for:

• Compression to the foam

• Cracks in the material

• Loss of arch support

• Areas where one side wears faster

If the orthotic no longer springs back to shape or your symptoms worsen despite wearing them, it may be time to replace them. Typically, orthotics last anywhere from 1-5 years but can vary based on many factors.

Major changes in weight, activity level, shoe type, and even medical conditions should be addressed with your doctor to determine if your orthotics should be adjusted or changed.

Conclusion

Orthotics have long term benefits when used properly. They work to improve your foot alignment, redistribute pressure evenly across your feet, and correct your gait mechanics. All this while allowing your irritated or overloaded structures to rest.

Using orthotics long-term along with proper shoes and foot strengthening can decrease stress on your feet. This allows you to better manage your pain and activity levels now and in the future.

FAQ

Q1: What do orthotics do for your feet?

A: Orthotics can control motion, improve alignment, and redistribute pressure evenly on your feet.

Q2: Are orthotics better than tennis shoes for overpronation?

A: Tennis shoes can help with mild pronation but are typically not enough to control severe deformity. Both can be used together to help improve your foot function.

Q3: Can you wear orthotics all the time?

A: You should wear your orthotics as much as possible while they fit well. As soon as they start to crack, warp, or no longer cushion your feet, they should be replaced.

Q4: Do you have to wear orthotics every day?

A: Ideally, yes. If you only wear them during certain activities or parts of the day, you’re missing out on their benefits.

Q5: Do I really need orthotics?

A: If you were prescribed orthotics by your doctor, yes! Many people who are given orthotics assume they don’t need them because their pain improves with rest. However, by continuing to wear them, your body can maintain the changes longer.