You take thousands of steps every day. When your feet hurt, you can feel every one of them.
Maybe you notice heel pain when you get out of bed. Perhaps the ball of your foot burns after a long day, or walking has become uncomfortable enough that you’ve started avoiding activities you enjoy.
At Kelly L. Geoghan, DPM, in Lutherville, Maryland, we use custom orthotics to address a variety of foot problems. Unlike a generic shoe insert you can find on a store shelf, custom orthotics are prescribed and manufactured precisely for your feet and how they function.
Here are five ways that personalized support may help.
Foot pain can have many causes, and adding cushioning isn’t always enough to solve the problem.
Custom orthotics can change the distribution of pressure across your foot and provide more support where you need it. Depending on the cause of your symptoms, Dr. Geoghan may recommend them as part of treatment for problems such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, flat feet, arthritis, or diabetic foot concerns.
The important part is identifying the problem first. Dr. Geoghan evaluates your feet and symptoms before determining whether custom orthotics make sense for you.
Your feet aren’t simply platforms that hold you up. They’re complex structures that absorb force and help propel you forward with every step.
If your foot mechanics place excessive stress on certain areas, walking or standing can become uncomfortable. Custom orthotics can support your foot in a way that helps redistribute those forces while you move.
That can be particularly valuable when an abnormal gait or foot structure repeatedly overloads the same tissues.
Foot pain doesn’t remain confined to your feet. It can change what you’re willing to do. You may cut a walk short, sit down more often at work, skip an outing, or stop exercising because you know your feet will hurt afterward.
When orthotics appropriately address the source of your discomfort, everyday movement becomes easier. That can help you stay active instead of continually adjusting your life around sore feet.
Custom orthotics can redistribute weight away from areas under too much force. This can be especially important for people with diabetes who may have reduced sensation in their feet and may not notice irritation or injury right away.
Dr. Geoghan determines whether orthotics or another type of footwear modification is appropriate based on your individual foot health and risk factors.
No two feet are exactly alike — including your own left and right foot.
That's one of the biggest distinctions between custom orthotics and over-the-counter inserts. Store-bought products come in standardized sizes and shapes. Custom orthotics are created from detailed impressions or measurements of your feet and prescribed according to your needs.
That doesn't mean everyone with foot pain needs a custom device. But when Dr. Geoghan determines that orthotics can address the mechanics contributing to your symptoms, customization allows her to target those needs more precisely.
Foot pain has a way of shrinking your world. You walk a little less, stand a little less, and gradually stop doing things that used to feel effortless.
If foot discomfort is changing the way you walk or is limiting your activities, Kelly L. Geoghan, DPM, can evaluate what's causing it and determine whether custom orthotics belong in your treatment plan. Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and start moving more comfortably.
