The foot and ankle are the foundation for the overall posture of the skeletal body. Abnormal foot mechanics cause stresses that can lead to numerous foot problems as well as leg, knee, hip and lower back pain.
Orthotics are orthopedic devices that help control abnormal foot motions, such as excessive pronation and excessive supination. They provide support, control, stability, absorb shock, and relieve pressure on uncomfortable or sore areas.
Orthotics are not a cure-all, but rather a conservative, non-invasive treatment option. They help your feet to function more efficiently. Orthotics can prevent injury or deformity from occurring or halt the progression of existing conditions, allowing healing to occur. They are also very useful in optimizing comfort and protection and enhancing performance.
NOTE: The information on this web site is presented for educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for diagnosis and treatment by a qualified, licensed professional.
Referred to by some as “runners knee”. Irritation of the cartilage under the kneecap (or patella), resulting in pain and inflammation. The cartilage becomes rough because the kneecap is not riding smoothly over the knee. This is one of the most common causes of knee pain.
Symptoms: Pain and swelling beneath or on the sides of the kneecap. In severe cases you may feel or hear the grinding of cartilage when the knee is flexed.
Cause: Several factors can contribute to chondromalacia, including overuse (especially the pounding shocks absorbed from downhill running, hiking or jogging), obesity, previous knee trauma, and excessive pronation. Abnormal foot pronation results in increased rotation and angling inward of the leg, causing misalignment and stress on the knee.
Pre-molded Orthotic Recommendation: Our Sportsman provides good arch support and control, preventing excessive pronation. Other options include our Heel-Lite (for additional heel cushioning.) All of these orthotics are covered with (full length) cellular cushioning top covers for added shock absorption, comfort and protection. For those who prefer more toe box room, our Ortho-Max is similar to the Sportsman but with a 3/4 length top cover extension.
Our (intrinsically posted) pre-molded orthotics are most therapeutic for individuals weighing up 175 lbs. For individuals who are very active and or weigh more than 175 lbs., we would recommend adding arch filler/extrinsic rear foot posting (see "Modifications" tab below).
A projection of growth of bone on the underside of the front part of the heel bone. Occurs when the plantar fascia, a ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot that supports the arch pulls at its attachment to the heel bone. This area can calcify to form a spur.
Symptoms: While some heel spurs are painless others can cause extreme rearfoot pain, especially while standing or walking. The pain is usually located just in front of the heel towards the arch.
Cause: Often results from a biomechanical imbalance. The stretching of the plantar fascia is usually due to excessive pronation, but people with a very high arch (cavus foot) also develop heel spurs. Others factors include a sudden increase in activity, ill-fitting shoes and obesity.
Pre-molded Orthotic Recommendation: Our Heel-Lite provides good arch support and control, preventing excessive pronation. It is covered with a (full length) cellular cushioning top cover for added shock absorption, comfort and protection. A special heel cutout (in the shell) is filled with a gel pressure relief pad that cushions the heel spur area.
The Heel-Lite is most therapeutic for individuals weighing up 175 lbs. For individuals who are very active and or weigh more than 175 lbs., we would recommend adding arch filler/extrinsic rear foot posting.
An irritated, swollen nerve in the ball-of-the-foot usually described as pain between the base of the third and fourth toes, although it can also occur between the second and third toes.
Symptoms: Sharp, burning pain in the ball-of-the foot, can be intermittent or constant. Morton’s neuroma may also cause numbness or tingling at the tips of the toes and cramping.
Cause: Abnormal weight distribution on the forefoot due to excessive pronation is thought to be a major culprit. This motion (when the arch collapses too much and the foot rotates too far inward) can cause the metatarsal bones to rub together, pinching the nerves. Other factors include forefoot trauma (from sports, repetitive stress), arthritis, and high heeled or confining footwear. In fact, this condition is much more common in women presumably due to their footwear. High Heels transfer weight to the forefoot and the tight toe box area causes compression.
Pre-molded Orthotic Recommendation: All of our pre-molded orthotics help control excessive pronation. We offer pre-molded orthotics for different footwear, conditions, and activities. The more functional the footwear (sneakers, full depth shoes) the more therapeutic the orthotic therapy. The design (low profile, narrow toe box) of fashion footwear limits the room for orthotics and the related therapeutic benefits.
A pair of our pre-molded (modified) with metatarsal pads placed behind the ball-of-the-foot (between the third and fourth toes), will unload pressure on the nerve, and redistribute weight away from the painful area to a more tolerant area.
Our (intrinsically posted) pre-molded orthotics are most therapeutic for individuals weighing up 175 lbs. For individuals who are very active and or weigh more than 175 lbs., we would recommend adding arch filler/extrinsic rear foot posting.
Heel and or arch pain commonly traced to an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a long, thick, fibrous band of connective tissue (on the bottom of the foot) running from the heel to the base of the toes. Plantar refers to the bottom of the foot and fascia is a type of connective tissue. When the plantar fascia ligament is excessively stretched it tears, causing inflammation of the fascia and surrounding tissues. This can cause heel pain and arch pain, and lead to heel spurs.
Symptoms: Pain at the base of the heel, where the heel meets the arch. It is normally most severe in the morning when getting out of bed because the fascia is tighter at this time. As the day progresses and the fascia continues to be stretched, the pain often fades.
Cause: Many factors can lead to plantar fasciitis, but the most common causes are biomechanical imbalances, especially excessive pronation. This motion (when the arch collapses too much and the foot rotates too far inward) can cause the arch of your foot to stretch excessively, creating stress and inflammation. A person with a rigid, high arched foot or tight Achilles tendon is also quite susceptible to this condition. Stress from an increase in activity/training, and excessive weight, normally resulting from obesity or pregnancy exacerbates the problem.
Pre-molded Orthotic Recommendation: Our Sportsman provides good arch support and control, preventing excessive pronation. Other options include our Heel-Lite (for additional heel cushioning.) All of these orthotics are covered with (full length) cellular cushioning top covers for added shock absorption, comfort and protection. For those who prefer more toe box room, our Ortho-Max is similar to the Sportsman but with a 3/4 length top cover extension.
Our (intrinsically posted) pre-molded orthotics are most therapeutic for individuals weighing up 175 lbs. For individuals who are very active and or weigh more than 175 lbs., we would recommend adding arch filler/extrinsic rear foot posting.
A catch-all term for lower leg pain (below the knee) that occurs along the tibia (shin) bone. This pain can occur either the front outside (anterior lateral) part of the leg or the back inside (posterior medial) part of the leg . Medial shin splints is also called Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome. Anterior shin splints are thought to be some kind of stress fracture (crack in the bone) or compartment syndrome (muscle swelling).
Symptoms: An aching, throbbing or tenderness along the inside (medial) or outside (lateral) of the shin about halfway down or possibly all along the shin from the ankle to the knee.
Cause: Often related to excessive foot pronation, especially medial shin splints. This motion (when the arch collapses too much and the foot rotates too far inward) places stress on the medial structures of the leg. Other risk factors include overtraining, muscle imbalances, improper stretching, running or jumping on hard surfaces, and insufficient shock absorption.
Pre-molded Orthotic Recommendation: Our Shin-Sprinter provides good arch support and control, preventing excessive pronation. It incorporates extrinsic rear foot posting with a continuous arch filler to stabilize the motion of the foot during each stride and provide uniform arch support and control. The shell is covered with a (full length) cellular cushioning top cover for added shock absorption, comfort and protection.
Arch Filler/Extrinsic Rear Foot Posting: Our standard (intrinsically posted**) pre-molded orthotics are designed to provide (maximum) therapeutic support, control and stability for people weighing up to 175 lbs. They can (and most often do) provide therapeutic benefits for people weighing more, however, there is not as much therapeutic support, control and stability.
Arch Filler is a cellular sponge material that we add under the heel (Extrinsic RF Posting) that extends through the arch to provide the additional support, control and stability that is necessary to support additional weight and/or activity. Furthermore, it makes the orthotics much more durable. Modified devices are (made-to-order), with the arch filler/extrinsic RF posting incorporated directly into the device.
We charge an additional $10.00 (per pair) for this modification. Since they are made-to-order modified devices are not returnable, but if necessary we will adjust (increase/decrease) the arch filler at no additional charge. Our goal is to provide you with 100% satisfaction!
You can request this modification in the (comments) section on our order form.
**Intrinsically Posted Styles: Foot Enhancement System, Sportsman, Silhouette, Low Profile, Ortho-Max, Heel-Lite, Ortho-Betic, Golf, and CEO Executive.
Recommended for Achilles tendinitis and leg length discrepancies.
We charge an additional $10.00 (per pair) or $5.00 per orthotic for this modification. Since they are made-to-order modified devices are not returnable, but if necessary we offer free adjustments. Our goal is to provide you with 100% satisfaction!
You can request this modification in the (comments) section on our order form.
Recommended for excessive supination to help induce pronation.
We charge an additional $10.00 (per pair) for this modification. Since they are made-to-order modified devices are not returnable, but if necessary we offer free adjustments. Our goal is to provide you with 100% satisfaction!
You can request this modification in the (comments) section on our order form.
Recommended for metatatarsalgia and Morton’s neuroma to unload pressure and redistribute weight away from the painful area to a more tolerant area.
The metatarsal pads are incorporated into the orthotics and not simply stand alone add-ons.
We charge an additional $10.00 (per pair) for this modification. Since they are made-to-order modified devices are not returnable, but if necessary we offer free adjustments. Our goal is to provide you with 100% satisfaction!
You can request this modification in the (comments) section on our order form.
Recommended for Sesamoiditis.
There is no charge for this modification. Since they are made-to-order modified devices are not returnable, but if necessary we offer free adjustments. Our goal is to provide you with 100% satisfaction!
You can request this modification in the (comments) section on our order form.