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Flat feet is a condition in which the arches of your feet flatten when you apply pressure to them, meaning that the entire surface of your foot may touch the ground when you stand or walk. While some people don’t experience symptoms, flat feet can misalignment your kinetic chain, alter your gait, and cause knee problems. Flat feet can also cause pain in your arches, making it not-so-comfortable to walk.
That’s where the professional team at Eazy Foot & Ankle in the Pico Robertson area of Los Angeles, California, comes into the picture. At our practice, we know flat feet can disrupt your ability to stay active — that’s why board-certified podiatrist Albert Elhiani, DPM, offers custom-made orthotics to help with flat feet.
Below, we take a more in-depth look at orthotics and how they help with flat feet.
Learning more about custom orthotics
Custom orthotics are sometimes mistaken for the shoe inserts sold in drugstores, which are not the same. Over-the-counter inserts don’t deliver the same level of support as custom orthotics. In fact, orthotics aren’t limited to padding alone. Orthotics are prescription medical devices. The different types of orthotics include:
- Ankle braces
- Arch supports
- Shoe inserts
- Footpads
Categories of orthotics are functional (rigid), accommodative, or semi-rigid. The type of orthotic you need depends on what your particular symptoms are and what underlying podiatric conditions you have.
Rigid orthotics, for example, are often used to help address joint issues. Semi-rigid orthotics can help provide dynamic balance, especially in athletes. Soft orthotics help absorb shock, redistribute pressure off specific points of your feet, and promote balance.
How custom orthotics help flat feet
Orthotics are custom-made based on impressions of your own feet. The design of these orthotics reinforce your unique anatomy by providing the support where needed, even for fallen arches.
In the case of fallen arches, orthotics help redistribute your weight so the pressure isn’t straining your arches. This is very different from off-the-shelf orthotics, which may add a layer of cushion but don’t align with your trouble areas. Our team uses advanced 3D technologies to create highly-detailed 3D images of your feet. These images create your orthotics, ensuring that your new orthotics will alleviate the pressure where you need it most.
Getting the custom orthotics you need
Flat feet can happen with improper development during childhood, but it can also develop later in life. Fallen arches can develop as a result of an injury, obesity, diabetes, or even aging.
Dr. Elhiani performs a comprehensive exam, analyzes how you walk, and reviews any needed tests to confirm your symptoms are related to fallen arches and not other conditions such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis. Dr. Elhiani uses information from your comprehensive exam to precisely design orthotics that improve your condition and provide relief for your discomfort.
Once your orthotics are ready, our care and guidance isn’t complete. Our team instructs how to use your orthotics, and Dr. Elhiani continues to assess the progress of your fallen arches during follow-up visits to ensure you’re getting the relief you need 一 follow-up care isn’t something that comes with over-the-counter inserts!
If you’d like to explore the possibilities of custom orthotics for your foot pain, schedule a consultation today at our Los Angeles, California, office at 424-375-6348 or book an appointment online.
