Upstep Answers
Our team answers your questions about the causes and treatment of various podiatric conditions, including plantar fasciitis, flat feet, foot pain, and the use of custom orthotics.
Recent Answers
Best Shoes to Support a Sprained Ankle—and What to Avoid
Ankle pain is a common problem in many people, especially athletes. It is often a symptom of an underlying disease or condition, including sprains. However, it can also be a consequence of wearing the wrong shoes. Which Shoes Should You Wear With a Sprained Ankle? Shoes can cause or worsen ankle pain, but they can also improve ankle pain and ankle sprains. Interestingly, changing into supportive shoes as soon as possible speeds up recovery after an ankle sprain. They do this by influencing the biomechanical alignment of the foot, providing support and cushioning, and aiding efficient energy transfer during motion. Shoes with sturdy soles and cushioning are best after sprains. Which Types of Shoes Should You Avoid Wearing? With any type of sprained ankle, you should avoid wearing the following: Ill-fitting shoes Shoes that are too tight or too wide will aggravate ankle problems.Shoes without adequate heel support Without adequate support, you will strain the muscles in your foot, which leads to further pain and discomfort.Uneven shoes due to wear and tear This can dislodge the alignment of the feet and cause pain.The wrong shoes for activities While it may seem obvious, wearing running shoes for long hours at work or wearing work boots to race will worsen the symptoms of a sprained ankle. High heels Wearing high heels should be avoided altogether until your ankle has fully healed. What Else Can Be Done to Heal a Sprained Ankle? We also recommend performing specific exercises to heal sprained ankles, doing regular ankle strengthening exercises, and using ankle support.
Asked 6 months ago
Can a Pinched Sciatic Nerve Cause Heel Pain?
Yes, a pinched sciatic nerve can cause heel pain. Most people think a compressed sciatic nerve will only cause back and leg pain. However, research shows that compression of the sciatic nerve at the L5-S1 nerve root will cause heel pain. If sciatica is the cause of your heel pain, the pain may also radiate to other parts of the leg while you stand. The pain may be tingling, numbing, or burning around your heel. It may also be dull and present with muscle spasms and reduced reflexes. How to Relieve Heel Pain Caused by Sciatica A lot depends on an accurate diagnosis, as there are many possible causes of heel pain. Once you have arrived at a diagnosis of heel pain caused by sciatica, you should know that sciatica often resolves by itself. However, if the symptoms last longer than three months, here is a list of possible treatments to relieve the pain and symptoms: Medication Anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and muscle relaxers can all be used to combat heel pain caused by sciatica.Hot or cold compress for pain reliefTranscutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Low voltage electrical pulses promote pain relief and nerve healing.Orthotic insoles You can use insoles for heel pain. They work by taking away the pressure on the foot and making walking more comfortable.Physiotherapy A physiotherapist will work with you to relieve the compression by performing spinal manipulation, prescribing core strengthening exercises, training you on proper posturing, acupuncture, etc. If the pain persists even after these interventions, please see a doctor. The timely intervention will promote quick recovery.
Asked 6 months ago
Best Insoles for Steel Toe Boots
Common work boots with steel toe protectors often do not provide adequate support and comfort throughout the day. Many people around the world report discomfort in their feet while wearing their work boots for a few hours and they are even strongly associated with the onset of painful conditions plantar fasciitis, bunions, and flat feet. Insoles have been well documented to provide relief and comfort to those suffering from painful conditions in their feet. It is a cost-effective way to manage a variety of conditions. Added to your work boot, the insoles will work to redistribute the weight throughout the entirety of the foot while providing a cushioned surface for the feet. Steel toe boots are found to be heavy and may cause front leg pain from continuous use. Work boots have been associated with causing ankle pain in some people. Choosing the Best Insoles Steel Toe Boots There are a variety of insoles to choose from to help you manage your conditions, bearing in mind any preexisting conditions that you may have. Should you have flat feet, bunions, or plantar fasciitis, among others, it is advised to go with custom orthotics over generic insoles as they can be tailored to your specific condition. Generic insoles may make the problem worse by providing support in the wrong places. Regardless of what you go with, the insoles should fit well inside your work boots. If they are too big, they may cause unwanted pressure points around the outside of the foot. If too small, they may not support the entire length of the foot.
Asked 7 months ago
How to Choose the Best Insoles for Overweight People
Being overweight can lead to increased pressure on the feet and may eventually lead to complications like bunions, flat feet, heel pain, and plantar fasciitis. You can protect and support the feet with the use of orthotic insoles to help prevent further complications from arising. Features of Good Insoles for Overweight People You should look for insoles that come with supportive, cushioned padding—preferably made from a rigid material, as this is less likely to lose its intensity over time. Insoles made out of softer materials may collapse after a few months and will potentially cause a host of additional problems with continuous use. Finding insoles that best suit and support your specific foot shape is helpful in getting the best out of orthotics. If you have any of the conditions listed above, there are orthotics specifically designed to manage and prevent the worsening of these conditions. An orthotic that provides support to areas that may not require it could actually cause your condition to get worse, necessitating the need for custom orthotics instead of generic insoles. Best Insoles for Overweight People Thicker insoles made from rigid materials are a good cost-effective and long-term choice. Identifying the type of orthotics you need is a vital first step and deciding whether you will benefit from orthotics. Spend some time observing the shape of your foot and what areas you are experiencing symptoms in before making a purchase. Heel pain can be managed with specific insoles to limit the force during heel strikes. Pain associated with plantar fasciitis or bunions can be integrated into the optimum insoles for your feet to provide you with maximum comfort throughout the day. Upstep has a selection of custom orthotics for you to manage a range of conditions. Visit our online store to help you choose the right insoles for your condition.
Asked 7 months ago
Best Work Boot Inserts for Those With Plantar Fasciitis
Workers in many industries globally spend many hours on their feet during the day and are required to wear shoes that are hardy and protective. Work boots worn by many prevent any potential injuries from occurring to the feet from heavy machinery or falling objects. Work boots have a downside in that they don't offer much support or comfort for long work days. Plantar fasciitis is a condition associated with a burning sensation arising in the heel area and is a common cause of heel pain globally. The thick band of fascia, crucial for maintaining the arch during weight-bearing, becomes inflamed and painful often due to overuse. A sharp pain in the heel area is a commonly reported symptom when taking the first steps in the morning. Orthotics have been well documented to be a safe and cost-effective way to manage your symptoms associated with plantar fasciitis. The insoles will support the arch and distribute the weight through the entirety of the foot while reducing the shock placed through the heel area. Which Inserts Will Fit Inside Work Boots? Most insoles that you may find will fit comfortably within your work boots. A potential reason for insoles not fitting comfortably within the boot is usually due to the boot being too small or tight. Custom insoles may be a good option in managing your symptoms of plantar fasciitis caused by wearing your work boots throughout a shift. Arch support can be provided by insoles and can greatly reduce flare-ups associated with this and other similar conditions. How to Choose the Best Insoles for Plantar Fasciitis Finding orthotics that are specifically designed for plantar fasciitis is extremely helpful. Orthotics for bunions may not be helpful in managing your symptoms of plantar fasciitis and could, in some cases, aggravate your condition. Supportive padding around the heel area of the insole is especially helpful in limiting the shock from your daily work activities. You’ll find overall relief from the pressure areas on the soles of your feet when using custom insoles, allowing you to complete your daily work activities pain-free.
Asked 7 months ago
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