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
Can Orthotics and Insoles Cause More Pain and Problems?
Orthotics are designed to fix errors in your feet, the severity of which can range from minor heel pain to total realignment of foot positioning. When you obtain a new pair, it's normal to experience some discomfort at first. However, some people experience this discomfort for much longer periods of time. This begs the question of whether orthotics can potentially do more harm than good. Orthotics Are Not Perfect It is definitely possible for errors to arise when designing and building a new pair of orthotics for a specific patient's condition. However, if you experience pain and discomfort longer than the recommended 3-week break-in period, it could mean one of two things: You were incorrectly diagnosed.Your orthotics were incorrectly manufactured. If either of these two instances turns out to be true, then a podiatrist needs to either reassess the diagnosis with more examinations or readjust your orthotics. Continuing to wear them could absolutely cause more pain and problems. Be Wary of Self Diagnosing Many people are afraid of seeking professional medical help, either out of an unwillingness to pay the cost or due to other fears. As such, people tend to think that they can figure out what's best for them and devise their own form of treatment. This might work in minor instances, such as needing a little extra support during strenuous exercise, but could be dangerous in severe conditions. Chronic pain, for example, could be caused by a number of other, unobvious conditions, and would need the proper treatment. By self-diagnosing and treating with premade orthotics, you run the risk of missing the mark and potentially worsening your condition. Trust in Your Doctor In conclusion, if you feel that your orthotics are causing more problems than they're solving, you have the liberty of letting your podiatrist know and figuring out a better solution. Failure to do so could hurt you in the long run.
Asked 2 years ago
How Often Should I Replace My Custom Orthotics and How to Tell if I Need New Ones?
Worn-out and degraded orthotics can actually harm your body more than not wearing any at all. Thankfully, it isn't too difficult to discern when you need to get them replaced. What Classifies as "Worn-Out"? There are two main things you can do to decide if your orthotics are in need of replacement: How Do They Appear Visually? If your orthotics have any obvious cracks or signs of the soles wearing down, then it may be time to replace them. Additionally, check the soles of your shoes for any signs of wear as well. Orthotics adjust your foot to behave as normal, which means that if the wear on your shoes is uneven, it could be a sign that your orthotics have stopped working correctly. How Do They Make You Feel? If you are continuing to experience improvement in your condition, it might be a sign that your orthotics are still functioning as they should. If you're experiencing any pain or discomfort, you might need new ones. How Often Do Orthotics Usually Last? The general time that it takes for orthotics to wear down is dependant on the condition that they're being used to treat. Issues like flat feet and overpronation usually require orthotics made from hard plastic in order to force correct positioning in the foot, and so should last anywhere from 2 to 5 years. Other conditions that require support, rather than control - such as for those with arthritic joints - would need orthotics of a softer material that could wear down within a year. A final thought on this topic is that if you are ever unsure, consult with a podiatrist as they can give you more insight.
Asked 2 years ago
How Effective Are Custom Orthotics in Correcting Overpronation?
Overpronation is a foot problem categorized by the ankle rolling too far inward as you walk, putting extra pressure on your big toe and the inside of your foot. This can lead to a number of other conditions like shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendonitis, among others. A custom pair of orthotics can be prescribed to try and correct overpronation, but how effective are they? Using Custom Orthotics to Treat Overpronation Treating the Condition Custom orthotics, when worn often, force your foot to operate in a certain way. Since one of the primary causes of overpronation is flat feet, wearing orthotics will help create the arch in your foot by both reshaping it and training the weakened muscles to operate correctly over a period of time. Alleviating the Symptoms Since all of the secondary conditions that come from overpronation are pain-related, at the very least, you should be able to find some relief from custom orthotics. Taking some of the stress off of the affected areas will help reduce pain and inflammation. A Final Thought: Can Custom Orthotics Cure Overpronation? It's unclear whether or not overpronation can be definitively cured in everyone without lasting or possibly returning symptoms. However, the condition can be treated and corrected through a number of methods, such as exercise and shoe choice. Although custom orthotics may not be a guaranteed cure for overpronation, they can definitely make a much-needed contribution to the overall treatment. Wearing orthotics will force your feet to operate as they should and, over time, become closer to being cured.
Asked 2 years ago
Are Pre-Made Orthotic Shoes as Good as Custom-Made Orthotics in Treating Overpronation?
If you have overpronation that's significant enough to require a pair of orthotics to try and correct the problem, then you're going to face the choice between shelling out a lot of money to get a pair of custom orthotics tailored to your feet, or picking the generic premade ones. Some people have had their problem fixed with generic over-the-counter (OTC) orthotics, but does this mean that they are as good as custom orthotics for treating overpronation? Don’t Misunderstand Symptom Reduction From OTC’s There's a common fallacy that dictates that just because one factor preceded an effect, it doesn't mean it caused the effect. Dancing before a rainstorm doesn't mean that you caused it. To a degree, the same is true in using OTC orthotics to treat certain foot conditions. True, you might be lucky enough to have your problem fixed, but the same won't necessarily be true for everyone and doesn't prove that premade orthotics are as good as custom ones. One Size of Insoles Won't Fit Everyone Custom orthotics are designed and tailored to your specific problem. Even though you might have the same diagnosis as someone else, you can't assume that the manifestation and severity of your symptoms will be identical to everyone who shares your diagnosis. Pre-made orthotics for overpronation are designed with a general degree of displayed symptoms, but what if yours have manifested to a greater or lesser degree? True, you might be a perfect representation that fits the orthotics ideally, but you also run the risk of over or under compensating, which can lead to more problems. The Final Verdict If you don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a pair of custom orthotics, and your symptoms are minor, you might have some luck in trying a pair of pre-made orthotics. However, if you want to have the best chance of recovery, you definitely shouldn't skimp on quality. For more info, consult a podiatrist.
Asked 2 years ago
How Long Should It Take for Custom Orthotic Insoles to Give Relief?
Custom orthotics are designed to reshape your feet and force them to work the way they should, which can be uncomfortable at first. Depending on the condition that you intend to treat, it might take some before you are accustomed enough to wear them full time. Although everyone will be different, here are some guidelines that should help ease your mind: Accept the Break-In Period Since orthotics will make your feet operate in a totally new way, you should start off small and allow them time to get used to it. Many experts recommend wearing them around 2 to 3 times the first day for about 30 minutes each. Your feet will undoubtedly feel uncomfortable or tired after this, and so be sure to let them rest for a few hours in between. Try and increase the time spent wearing them by 15-30 minutes each time until you can wear them all day for every activity. In total, this process shouldn't take longer than a month. Custom Orthotics Should Not Make the Problem Worse It is important to note that podiatrists are people, and people make mistakes. Sometimes the orthotics aren't made correctly, or the condition was incorrectly diagnosed. If you go through the break-in period and still experience discomfort, pain, or notice that the condition has gotten worse, then consult your podiatrist immediately to have your orthotics readjusted. In Conclusion If you experience discomfort during the first few weeks of wearing new custom orthotics, then you're not alone. You have to accept that the treatment of many conditions with orthotics is a long-term process that will take time to adjust and fine-tune to your specific needs.
Asked 2 years ago
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