Orthotics

Consider orthotics if you regularly experience foot, heel, or ankle pain that affects your mobility or quality of life. At Podiatry Institute of the South, the team of board-certified podiatrists and foot and ankle surgeons regularly prescribes orthotics to treat various problems, including bunions, plantar fasciitis, and arthritis. Call the nearest office in Senatobia, Mississippi, West Memphis, Arkansas, or Memphis, Millington, or Bartlett, Tennessee, to make an appointment or book online today. 

What are orthotics?

Orthotics are prescription medical devices that slip inside your shoes. They look similar to the inserts you can buy at the grocery store but are designed specifically for your feet. 

Orthotics provide an affordable and noninvasive treatment for foot and ankle pain. They won’t last forever, but with proper care, can withstand between 5-7 years* of use.

What types of problems can benefit from orthotics?

At Podiatry Institute of the South, the team uses orthotics to treat various foot and ankle problems, including:

• Arthritis
• Bunions
• Bursitis
• Diabetes
• Flatfeet
• Hammertoes
• Heel spurs
• High arches

You might also benefit from orthotics if you experience chronic heel pain because of plantar fasciitis.

What are the types of orthotics?

At Podiatry Institute of the South, the team offers several types of orthotics, including:

Rigid orthotics

Rigid orthotics slip inside closed-toed shoes like flats or sneakers. They don’t bend and are made from inflexible materials like plastic or carbon fiber. Rigid orthotics provide extra support for the muscles and ligaments in your feet, making them ideal for relieving aches and pains.

Accommodative orthotics

Accommodative orthotics are soft and made with thick, padded materials. They’re bulkier than rigid orthotics and typically require prescription footwear. Accommodative orthotics take pressure off of sensitive areas, like blisters, calluses, or diabetic wounds.

What does getting orthotics involve?

At Podiatry Institute of the South, getting orthotics takes two visits several weeks apart.

Your provider reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and completes a podiatry exam. They also order diagnostic imaging, including X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI to check the bones, joints, and soft tissues in your feet.

If the team determines that you can benefit from orthotics, they take 3D scans of your feet. Then, they upload the scans to a computer program and design a pair of custom orthotics.

After finalizing the design, your provider sends the blueprints to a podiatry lab. The podiatry lab manufactures your orthotics with a 3D printer or another similar device.

When your custom orthotics are finished, several weeks later, you return to Podiatry Institute of the South. Your provider has you try the orthotics on. They assess your gait and make adjustments, ensuring a perfect fit. 

Call the nearest Podiatry Institute of the South office to see if you’re a candidate for orthotics or book online today.

*Individual results may vary.