Custom Orthotics Helps the Foot

By Dr. Brent Bowden

What is Metatarsalgia?

Metatarsalgia is a condition where there is pain in the area of the ball of the foot. The foot has two different arches. The long longitudinal arch which goes from the heel to the ball, and the metatarsal arch which goes from the big toe to the small toe at the level of the ball of the foot. When there is a collapse of this metatarsal arch, it can cause pain across the forefoot area. This problem can become worse with the formation of a neuroma.

What is Mortons Neuroma?

A neuroma is an enlargement of the nerve in an area of irritation. The most common area for a neuroma to form is between the 3rd and 4th toes, at the ball. This is known as a Mortons Neuroma. When this happens, it will send pain up into the toes, and can also cause pain in the ball of the foot. Sometimes the 3rd and 4th toes will become numb. One of the treatments for this problem is to add a metatarsal arch onto your custom orthotics. This is a small soft triangular raise that is positioned on the Custom Orthotic just behind the ball of the foot. This will support the arch, and allow the metatarsal heads to spread slightly, and reduce the irritation on pinch on the nerve. A Custom Orthotic with a metatarsal raise can be an effective treatment for this problem.

How can Custom Orthotics help with pronation?

Pronation is what is commonly referred to as a flat foot. The long arch of the foot collapses and the foot elongates. This bio-mechanical problem can cause pain in the foot, and further up the leg. When this pronation occurs it causes a rotation in the lower bones of the leg. This can be a factor in other problems. This flattening of the foot will cause pain in the arch which becomes worse the longer you are on your feet. It can cause many other problems, such as shin splints and achillies tendonitis.

How can Custom Orthotics help with supination?

A high arch foot is usually in conjunction with supination. Supination is also usually in conjunction with plantar fasciitis. Supination causes someone to plant their foot on the outside of their shoes. Custom orthotics can place a wedge on the outside portion of the custom orthotic that will balance that area of the foot as well as offer support to the inside of the foot. Treatment through the use of custom orthotics can be very effective for those with problems with supination. - 30519

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Foot Pain Treatment Through Custom Orthotics

By Dr. Brent Bowden

How can Custom Orthotics help with Metatarsalgia?

When there is pain the ball of the foot area, the condition is called metatarsalgia. There are two arches in the foot. One goes from the ball to the heel and is called the long longitudinal arch. The other arch goes from the small toe to the big toe at the ball of the foot level. When the metatarsal arch collapses, pain occurs in the forefoot area. If the problem worsens, a neuroma forms.

Mortons Neuroma

A neuroma is an enlargement of the nerve in an area of irritation. The most common area for a neuroma to form is between the 3rd and 4th toes, at the ball. This is known as a Mortons Neuroma. When this happens, it will send pain up into the toes, and can also cause pain in the ball of the foot. Sometimes the 3rd and 4th toes will become numb. One of the treatments for this problem is to add a metatarsal arch onto your custom orthotics. This is a small soft triangular raise that is positioned on the Custom Orthotic just behind the ball of the foot. This will support the arch, and allow the metatarsal heads to spread slightly, and reduce the irritation on pinch on the nerve. A Custom Orthotic with a metatarsal raise can be an effective treatment for this problem.

How can Custom Orthotics help with pronation?

Flat foot is most commonly due to pronation of the foot. When pronation occurs the foot elongates and the long arch collapses, causing pain not only in the foot, but also up through the leg. Pronation causes rotating to occur in the lower leg bones which can then cause other problems. Pain in the arch results from the flattening of the foot. Someone with flat feet will experience pain in the arch which will worsen the longer they are on their feet. This may also cause additional problems such as achillies tendonitis and shin splints. Custom orthotics can help give necessary arch support to the foot so unnecessary pain can be avoided.

What is supination?

Supination is related with someone with a high arch foot. It is also related with plantar fasciitis. When a person supinates, they shoes are run over to the outside. An added wedge to custom orthotics can help with those who supinate. The wedge will balance the outside area of the foot while at the same time supporting the inside portion of the foot. Those who supinate can see their shoes worn out on the outside portion. Custom orthotics can be a useful remedy for supination. - 30519

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How Custom Orthotics Helps Plantar Fasciitis

By Dr. Brent Bowden

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Custom orthotics can help alleviate many foot problems; however, they are most commonly used for plantar fasciitis. Plantar fascia is a flat fibrous tissue that runs from the ball of the foot to the heel bone. It looks similar to fiberglass packaging tape. Its ability to stretch is limited. Its role is to keep the foot from flattening too much and to support the foot. When a foot does flatten too much or pronates, there is abnormal pressure placed on the plantar fascia resulting in pain and inflammation.

When abnormal pressure is placed on the plantar fascia, the band pulls away from the insertion point on the heel. It is almost like a having a small fracture in that area. Inflammation begins as the body responds and tries to repair the area. The body puts down calcium in order to repair the tear.

The problem comes because of the pressure that is put on the plantar fascia. This band will pull away from it's insertion on the heel, and acts almost like a very small fracture. The body reacts to this with inflammation, and it will begin to lay down calcium to repair the small tear. After time this continuous laying down of calcium can cause a heel spur to form. It is not the spur itself that causes this pain, but the process that is going on.

How do custom orthotics help?

By using custom orthotics, pressure will be taken off the foot, the arch will be supported, necessary repair to the plantar fascia can occur, and inflammation in that area will decrease.

What other methods can be used?

A doctor can give a cortisone injection which will reduce inflammation. Stretching, ice and anti inflammatory medications can be taken to help ease the pain experienced with plantar faciitis. The use of custom orthotics can help prevent plantar faciitis from happening. - 30519

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How to Avoid Plantar Fasciitis with Custom Orthotics

By Dr. Brent Bowden

Plantar Fasciitis

The band that connects the heel bone to the ball of the foot is called the plantar fascia. It is a flat fibrous tissue and looks like packing tape. It is limited in its ability to stretch. The purpose of the plantar fascia is to assist in supporting the foot and to avoid the foot from flattening too much. Pain and inflammation in the foot can be caused when there is abnormal pressure put on the plantar fascia, usually caused by pronation or the foot flattening too much. Custom orthotics are used most commonly to avoid plantar fasciitis.

When pain does occur, the pain location is the bottom inside part where the arch begins. Sometimes the pain can even spread as far as the the metatarsal area, making it almost unbearable for the person. This pain occurs due to pressure being placed on the plantar fascia.

The continuous placing of calcium can create a heel spur. The heel spur does not cause the pain, but rather, the process that is taking place. The pain is usually located where the arch begins on the bottom inside of the foot. The pain can spread through the arch and on to the metatarsal area and can be almost unbearable.

Custom Orthotics

The purpose of custom orthotics is to take pressure off the foot and support the arch; thus allowing repair to the plantar fascia to occur and the inflammation to lessen.

What other methods can be used?

A doctor can give a cortisone injection which will reduce inflammation. Stretching, ice and anti inflammatory medications can be taken to help ease the pain experienced with plantar faciitis. The use of custom orthotics can help prevent plantar faciitis from happening. - 30519

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