»WHY are there so many foot problems?

The foot is meant to walk on grass, dirt, and sand (natural surfaces). There are 5 arches in the foot, these arches are fully supported and function properly on these surfaces. The combination of walking on flat hard surfaces, and wearing shoes are often the cause foot imbalances.

PLANTAR FASCIITIS OR HEEL SPURES

A painful inflammatory condition which occurs when the fibrous band of tissue on the bottom of the foot is overloaded or overstretched. The fibrous band that helps support the arch succumbs to small tears in the tissue fibers. This condition often results in a heel spur.

Symptoms

Sharp or dull pain is felt on the underside of the heel. Symptoms can occur suddenly or gradually. When symptoms occur suddenly, there is usually intense heel pain when taking first morning steps. The pain will usually subside as you to walk, and often returns in the afternoon or evening. When symptoms occur gradually, your heel will have a dull persistent pain. This will cause you to shorten your stride. You also may shift your weight, attempting to stay away from the heel.*

How Can Orthotics Help?

Heel pain is helped by Orthotics that provide inner longitudinal support accompanied with proper heel cup

CALLUSES/HAMMERTOES

Calluses are a thickening or hardening of the skin, often due to abrasion or pressure. Hammertoes/claw toes/mallet toes occur when the foot is unable to maintain balance, this causes the toes to grip. Any number of toes can be affected by buckling at the joints and curling.



Symptoms

Calluses can form on toes, sides, heel or ball of the foot. Hammertoes result in pain or irritation in the affected toes and joints, especially when wearing shoes. They often knuckle, curl and buckle at the joints.*

How Can Orthotics Help?

Painful toe joints are alleviated by reconstructing the metatarsal arch, unloading extensor and flexor tendons with Orthotics.

UNBALANCED FOOT

The Misalignment of a foot that causes spinal misalignment as the whole weight of the body rests on the feet.



Symptoms

Orthotics maneuver the arches of the foot into a normal position. This will align the body’s joints: ankles, knee’s, hip, pelvis and lower back.

How Can Orthotics Help?

Pain or aching in any related area. you may notice uneven wear on shoes. Calluses, hammertoes, shin splints, knee pain can be symptoms*

PLANTAR ULCERATION

Degeneration of the nerve tissue. Resulting in a open wound. Usually related to Diabetes.



Symptoms

Open wound, Tingling, Numbness, Burning, Pain.*

How Can Orthotics Help?

Full contact Orthosis is used, unloading the high pressure areas.

BUNIONETTES/BUNIONS

Bunions are from thickening of the joint due to a calcium build up, and cause unnatural bone formation. The big or small toe angles in towards the other toes.



Symptoms

Often not painful until later stages. Pain over medial or lateral forefoot, big toe, or while walking, can be red or inflamed.*

How Can Orthotics Help?

Relieved with longitudinal and metatarsal arch supports

SCIATIC NERVE

Commonly caused by pulling, pinching or stretching of the sciatic nerve.



Symptoms

Pain will usually radiate from the outer buttocks and thigh, down to the knee, even to the ankle.*

How Can Orthotics Help?

Orthotics designed to correct pronation usually alleviate this problem.

SHIN SPLINTS

Pain in the front of the shins. A form of tendonitis on the shin.



Symptoms

An aching, throbbing or tenderness along the front lower leg.*

How Can Orthotics Help?

Semi-rigid orthotic is used to support arches to control overpronation.

KNEE ALIGNMENT

The knee can be forced out of alignment by a traumatic injury. Over pronation (flat feet) or supination can cause undue stress to the knee ligaments and joint.



Symptoms

Knee, hip, lower back pain.*

How Can Orthotics Help?

Inner Longitudinal arch support to prevent overpronation or lateral posting to correct oversupination

INTERDIGITAL NEUROMA

Pinched nerve between the metatarsal heads, affecting two or more toes.



Symptoms

Numbness, stabbing, Burning, tingling, aching pain between two adjacent toes.*

How Can Orthotics Help?

Amend this symptom by metatarsal elevation Orthotics to separate joints affecting the nerve.