If pain in your feet has become so severe that it interferes with daily activities, it may be time to consider foot orthotics in Ocala.

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What Patients Want to Know About Custom Orthotics in Ocala

Also known as orthotic insoles, they significantly differ from shoe inserts available at retail stores and pharmacies. Fortunately, answering some frequently asked questions about custom insoles can help what’s best for your foot health.

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How do orthotics work?

For custom insoles, a podiatrist makes cast molds of the feet following an examination, which may include a gait analysis that determines how the body moves while walking. The impressions are sent to a lab where technicians create the shoe inserts using materials like carbon fiber and ethylene vinyl acetate. The resulting inserts accommodate the specific foot contours, including arch height. Store-bought insoles are mass-produced and cannot provide an exact fit.

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What foot issues do they help with?

Custom orthotics decrease pressure on certain parts of the feet, such as the balls or heels, while absorbing walking, running, and jumping-related shocks. They provide a variety of applications, including cushioning treatment for diabetic foot ulcers, chronic heel pain, and metatarsalgia, in which the balls of feet become swollen and painful.

Orthotics also help correct overpronation, a condition in which imbalanced foot bones cause feet to roll inward excessively and increase the risk of injuries like shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and bunions. Without treatment, overpronation can eventually result in collapsed arches.

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Who is a candidate?

Anyone who spends significant time on their feet benefits from custom orthotics, including construction and factory workers, tour guides, postmasters, and grocery store employees. Those who have foot conditions requiring extra cushioning or support, such as diabetic ulcers or Achilles tendonitis, also benefit from the customized shoe inserts, as do overweight individuals. Extra weight stresses the feet, which can cause issues like metatarsalgia and heel pain.

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Is there a “breaking-in” period?

It is normal to feel mild arch discomfort or soreness during the first two weeks of wearing custom orthotics. Blistering or redness can also occur as you “break-in” the insoles, though it is rare. If you experience severe pain, redness, or blistering for a week or longer, contact your podiatrist to get the shoe inserts refitted.

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For custom foot orthotics that will provide relief and help your daily life, turn to Dr. Orta at Healthy Living Natural Health & Pain Management. Based in Ocala, FL, Dr. Pedro Orta has provided holistic, functional, natural, and regenerative medicine services for over 25 years, treating a wide variety of conditions, including foot and joint pain. Call (352) 732-9355 to make an appointment or visit the doctor online for more information. Get pain management tips on Facebook.