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
Choosing the Best Insoles for Heel Pain
Heel pain is one of the most commonly reported painful conditions affecting people globally. Pain at the back of the heel can be linked to conditions such as plantar fasciitis, heel bursitis, and heel spurs. It would be counterproductive to use orthotics for metatarsal support for conditions causing or associated with heel pain. It is important to know why your heels hurt. Choose an insole that is tailored specifically for your needs. Orthotic insoles help prevent and reduce pain in the heel, ensuring that your feet feel more comfortable while wearing shoes daily. Which Inserts Are Best for Heel Pain? Thick insoles made with soft materials with additional cushioning support in the heel area are usually the best option for preventing heel pain. Insoles and orthotics provide shock absorption qualities, supporting the feet, as well as providing additional support within the shoes during your daily activities. Upstep provides custom orthotics with additional cushioning to reduce pressure areas around the heel which can greatly reduce your levels of discomfort throughout the day. This provides a cost-effective conservative way to manage this condition, as well as preventing your heel pain from getting progressively worse as you age. Custom orthotics may provide you with enough relief from heel pain for surgical interventions to not be considered. There is a range of stretching and strengthening exercises for heel pain that you can use in conjunction with orthotics to achieve the best results in the management of your heel pain. » Experiencing unbearable heel pain? Purchase the best insoles for heel spurs How to Choose the Right Inserts for You Choosing the right insoles for heel pain is important because they will be specifically designed for this condition. It may be counterproductive to receive support in areas that do not need it, as this could create discomfort and pain. Look out for an insole or orthotic that has sufficient padding in the heel area to reduce shock to the tissue as your heel makes contact with the ground. Custom insoles can be modified to fit optimally with the structure of your feet. Insoles should not be too thick because this will compress your feet within the shoe, and this may aggravate your symptoms. It may take some time for your foot and lower leg to adjust to the adoption of an orthotic in the shoe. Thereafter, orthotics should alleviate your symptoms by providing adequate comfort throughout the day. Should your heel pain reach a point where you are unable to walk or carry out your daily activities, it is advised to seek medical advice regarding this. » Still unsure of which insoles are right for you? Check out our guide on the best insoles for foot pain
Asked 2 months ago
Why Arch Supports Hurt Flat Feet and How to Relieve the Pain
Many foot conditions require the use of insoles or extra arch support to manage symptoms such as pain. Although they usually take some getting used to in the beginning, there is a golden rule of new insoles that states that your level of pain should never be worse than it was before you'd ever worn insoles. If your feet hurt more after adding some arch support insoles to your shoes, then it may be a dangerous sign that needs to be evaluated. » Looking for high-quality orthotics? Take a look at the best insoles for flat feet Painful Insoles Are Not Made Correctly Correctly designed insoles are meant to support the foot's arch, which is especially true in individuals who suffer from fallen or collapsed arches. Adding extra support to the foot's arch may feel a little uncomfortable at first, but, at the very least, it will redistribute pressure enough to reduce some degree of pain. If the insoles actually cause you more pain, then there is something about them that isn't meant for your feet. Although there are many potential errors in design, some of the main ones are listed below: Arch supports that are too high will push your foot from overpronation to supination and cause extra pressure and pain in a different area of your foot.Incorrectly sized arch supports can cause restrictions in your foot's movement and force them to readjust to accommodate the awkward position, putting extra pressure on the midsole and causing more pain.Worn-out insoles will no longer provide the correct support to your feet and could cause more harm than good. What Can You Do About Painful Insoles? If your insoles are hurting after the normal 3-week break-in period, then it's clear that they aren't made for your specifications. If they are a general pair of over-the-counter insoles, then it's a sign that you may require a pair of custom orthotics, whereas if they are already a pair of custom orthotics, then it's a sign that they were not made correctly and will need to be reevaluated by a podiatrist. » Still not sure if orthotics are the right choice for you? Learn more about their benefits in our Custom Orthotics for Flat Feet Review
Asked 2 months ago
Can Crocs Ease the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
Crocs have been around since 2002. Regardless of the controversy over its utility, the footwear brand has grown to become a major manufacturer of flip-flops and sandals globally. By all indications, Crocs have come to stay - and for good reason. The lightweight footwear offers as much in its unique style as it does in comfort. They are easy to slip on and are also fully breathable, giving your toes enough room to move around and promoting circulation. » Learn how using pressure points for plantar fasciitis can help the condition Do Crocs Have Good Foot Support? Yes and no. Crocs have good arch support, however, they do not offer enough heel support. Consequently, this lowers the overall foot support you receive from Crocs. It will leave you trying to grip the shoe with your toes. Invariably, this can lead to different toe conditions, including tendonitis, bunions, hammertoes, and painful corns and callouses. » Want to know more about custom orthotics for plantar fasciitis symptoms? Read the plantar fasciitis product review Do Crocs Help With Plantar Fasciitis? Heel pain is a major cause of concern for many people, and plantar fasciitis is a leading cause. There are many plantar fasciitis treatment options. Ice, rest, simple exercises, and maintaining a healthy weight are all beneficial treatments. In addition to these methods, using supportive footwear and orthotics can be effective for foot pain. This is why Crocs can help in treating plantar fasciitis. Not only do they fit the foot well, but they are also well-cushioned - guaranteeing comfort while walking. Moreover, they have rigid soles that provide firm support to the foot. The rigidity prevents twisting of the foot, which puts strain on the foot and leg. Crocs can also ease the pain of plantar fasciitis by means of reinforced heels. Ligaments in the foot and heel are not stretched or torn during long periods of physical activity. With this in mind, if your goal is to relieve pain in the heel of the foot, especially due to plantar fasciitis, wearing Crocs is a good choice. High arch Crocs are supportive and orthopedic, which makes them a popular choice for many.
Asked 2 months ago
Do Orthotic Insoles Help With Knee Pain
Many people live with some degree of knee pain. Some even say that it is inescapable as you succumb to aging. While that may be the case with degenerative conditions like arthritis, knee pain could be a symptom of multiple conditions that won't necessarily affect everyone. Regardless, these varied causes require different treatment approaches for pain relief. Can Orthotics Help Knee Pain? Orthotics for knee pain can provide significant relief depending on the root cause of the condition. Along with strengthening exercises, they can help with shock absorption, cushioning your feet and heels, and alignment of your foot and ankle. Studies have found that people with knee pain due to certain conditions reported notable pain relief after wearing orthotics. This means that not every instance of knee pain can be relieved by using orthotics. One such condition that may not result in pain relief is the use of orthotics for arthritis in the knees. Best Insoles for Knee Pain Relief While there are no one-size-fits-all foot orthoses for knee pain, the best insoles for pain relief will have the following features: Good thickness The thicker the insole, the more the padding on your feet for better shock absorption. Thick insoles also provide arch support that helps with supination. High-density foam These foams take on the shape of the foot and are ideal for wearing in. It is usually lightweight, durable, and comfortable to wear. Deep heel cups With a thick insole, a deep heel cup allows you to pronate appropriately. It also supports you maximally while also protecting your kneecaps. Interestingly enough, there appear to be no side effects from wearing orthotics. Thus, it's a win-win if you use orthotics to reduce knee pain. » Get some much-needed pain relief by purchasing the best insoles for patellar tendonitis When Should You See a Doctor for Knee Pain? Though common, knee pain must never be taken lightly. Seek immediate medical attention if the pain is intense, which comes with associated functional limitation, a popping sound, and swelling. If it results from a forced impact and comes with inflammatory signs, book an appointment with your doctor.
Asked 2 months ago
Should You Use Orthotic Insoles for Supination?
Supination is the external rotation of the foot. It occurs when you bear weight on the outer edges of your feet while moving. This can place undue stress on your foot causing conditions like plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, IT band syndrome (overuse injury of connective tissues), stress fractures, Achilles tendinitis, etc. What Are the Risks and Causes of Supination? The following are common risk factors and causes of supination: Genetics Supination can be transmitted through the genes that affect the foot structure. Ankle injuries Previous history of ankle injuries can predispose you to a supination defect.Structural problems These include bow legs, weak ankle muscles, loose ligaments, and limb length discrepancy.Exercise Whether too much or too little, exercise can lead to supination. Can Insoles Correct Supination? Yes, there are custom insoles to correct supination. This kind of supination orthotics will support the feet and distribute the pressure evenly across your foot while ensuring that your foot remains neutrally aligned. When choosing a custom insole to correct supination, choose one that is firm, durable, has a deep heel cup, and has an arch that follows the curves of your feet. What Footwear Should a Supinator Wear? Neutral shoes with an extra cushion or shock absorption qualities are recommended. Asides from this, different footwear made by New Balance, Chaco, Saucony, and Birkenstock footwear are touted to help supinators. As a general rule, look for shoes that: Have curved edges to allow for pronation.Are made from flexible and lightweight materials that allow more foot motion.Have flexible medial (inner) sides. » Looking to alleviate foot pain? Purchase the best insoles for supination The Bottom Line Supination can quickly become problematic if not dealt with decisively. You can easily fix this with the right supination orthotics. As such, contact a specialist to have a custom insole made for you to correct your supination.
Asked 2 months ago
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