Here's How Custom Orthotics Can Help Flat Feet

Most people spend a lot of their day on their feet, standing, walking, running, and participating in sports. Your feet have to bear the weight of your entire body, and support much more stress when you are carrying heavy items or running. It’s important to take good care of your feet, and having flat feet, also known as flatfoot, provides even greater challenges.

At his medical practice in San Jose, California, skilled podiatrist Dr. Leonard Greenwald and his experienced and friendly staff provide a full range of medical services to help keep your feet healthy and feeling good. They offer custom-designed orthotics to treat a wide range of foot conditions, including flat feet. 

What are orthotics?

You probably spend a lot of your day on your feet, which have to bear the weight of your entire body. Although supportive shoes can help, your feet are unique, slightly different in size and shape from everyone else’s feet. When you buy shoes from any store, they aren’t made to perfectly fit and support your exact feet.

Orthotics are custom-made insoles that perfectly support your feet. They are a noninvasive, nonsurgical way to improve the function of your feet and relieve any discomfort you’re experiencing. There are many different types of orthotics, including arch supports, shoe inserts, footpads, and ankle braces.

What are flat feet?

Flat feet is a condition in which the soles of your feet don’t have a significant curve to them, allowing the entire surface of your foot to touch the ground when you’re standing. Most commonly caused by improper development during childhood, flat feet can also be the result of an injury, obesity, diabetes, or aging.

Some people with flat feet don’t experience any discomfort, but flat feet can contribute to alterations in the alignment of your legs. This can cause problems in your knees and ankles, which can result in decreased function as well as discomfort. 

How custom orthotics can help flat feet

Custom orthotics can help flat feet by providing the exact support your feet need in order to prevent knee or ankle pain that is being caused by your flat feet. They can be used to postpone or even avoid surgery for problems that are the result of alignment issues. 

Although you can purchase off-the-shelf orthotics, they may not work for your feet, and could even make existing problems worse. Dr. Greenwald reviews your medical history, discusses your current concerns, examines you, and orders any needed tests to determine the root causes of any issues you’re having 

Dr. Greenwald uses all that information to precisely design orthotics that improve your condition and provide relief for your discomfort. Regular checkups allow Dr. Greenwald to make any necessary adjustments to ensure your orthotics perform as well as possible.

To learn more about orthotics, schedule an appointment with Dr. Greenwald today. Call our office, text us, or use our online booking system.