Take a quick look at your feet and marvel at how small they are in relation to their enormous responsibilities. Due to their relatively small size, biomechanics are paramount in the ability of your feet to carry you through life, and any imbalance can have a cascading effect.
For this reason, many of our patients here at Neuhaus Foot and Ankle, with 10 locations throughout Tennessee, turn to custom orthotics to give their feet a little extra support in their duties. If you’re wondering whether orthotics can help your feet function better, our team of foot health experts pulled together the following information.
Orthotics are inserts for shoes that are custom molded to your feet and your goals. They may extend the length of your foot or come in the form of targeted inserts, primarily for your heels.
Each of your feet contains 26 bones and, together, your feet contain a quarter of the total number of bones in your body. In addition, each foot features 30 joints and more than 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons that work together to provide support and function.
For your feet to function properly, each component we mention above needs to carry its weight, quite literally, and work together to provide you with mobility and support.
All too often, however, some factors can upset the biomechanics in your feet, overtaxing certain areas. These factors can come in the form of ill-fitting shoes (think heels or shoes with pointy toes) or pre-existing structural problems, such as flat feet.
As a result, you can end up with a wide range of problems, including:
While these issues are confined to your feet, imbalances in your feet can also lead to problems in your ankles, knees, hips, and back.
Whether you already have issues with foot biomechanics or you’d like to prevent them from developing, custom orthotics can help.
Our first step is to determine where your feet need a little more support or where they need some pressure relief. After taking custom molds of your feet, we then add these considerations into the final formation of your orthotics.
Many of our patients also rely on custom orthotics for preventive care of their feet, especially athletes who, quite literally, pound their feet.
As well, people with diabetes can also use orthotics to safeguard the health of their feet.
The bottom line is that your beleaguered feet can benefit from a little targeted care, and orthotics can go a long way toward providing that care.
To learn more about how orthotics can help your feet, please contact one of our locations in Hermitage, Brentwood, Nashville, Mount Juliet, Waverly, Smyrna, Gallatin, Columbia, Pulaski, or Lebanon, Tennessee, to set up an appointment.
