Your feet bear the brunt of every step you take, whether you’re walking, climbing, or running. You rely so heavily on your feet that you may ignore the slight twinges of pain or discomfort that arise during the early stages of a foot problem.
But starting early when you have foot pain, or any other foot problems, lessens the chance for more invasive treatments like surgery that may require a lengthy recovery.
At Katz Regenerative Foot and Ankle, our skilled podiatrists, Dr. Jordan Katz and Dr. Richard Hochman, use custom orthotics to treat many foot problems to prevent or delay complications.
Here are five foot problems we treat with custom orthotics.
Plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury that causes inflammation and tiny tears in the plantar fascia, the ligament on the sole of your foot that connects the heel to the toes. Running, extra body weight, or standing for long periods of time puts pressure on the ligament, leading to the injury and pain
Custom orthotics for plantar fasciitis are shoe inserts that support the ligament during activity, easing stress and pain. If you’re a runner or spend most of the day on your feet, getting custom orthotics may prevent foot problems and heel pain.
The arch of your foot supports foot mechanics and body alignment, making sure the amount of pressure on weight-bearing joints during locomotion is evenly distributed.
Flatfoot means the arch of the foot lies flat against a surface when you stand, providing very little support. People with flatfoot are at risk of developing foot problems like foot pain, ankle pain, and shin splints.
We provide custom orthotics for flatfoot that support the foot mechanics and body weight, relieving symptoms and reducing your risk of a chronic pain condition.
Diabetes affects many parts of the body, including the feet. If you have diabetes, a cut or blister on your foot can lead to a serious infection and possible amputation.
We specializes in diabetes foot care and provide custom orthotics when appropriate. Diabetes orthotics are inserts that cushion areas of the feet to prevent rubbing or irritation that may lead to an injury.
Bunions are a progressive foot deformity that causes a bump at the joint of the big toe due to a shift in alignment of the bones that make up the joint.
Orthotics can’t prevent bunions, but they may slow the progression. Orthotic treatments for bunions slow down movement of the bones and cushion the protrusion.
Hammertoe is an abnormal bend in the middle joint of a toe, resembling a hammer. Similar to bunions, soft orthotics cushion the joint so your skin doesn't rub on the shoe.
We also use orthotics as a preventive tool for hammertoe, keeping the toe straight when the joint is still flexible. A rigid joint may require surgery.
Custom orthotics are made to fit your feet and foot condition, providing maximum benefits and comfort.
Ongoing foot pain is a sign something is wrong. We can find the problem and develop a plan to improve foot health and reduce risk of future foot issues. Call our office in Coral Gables, Florida, today or request an appointment online.
