What are Orthotics?
​
Orthotics, are correctly called orthoses although the general public are not familiar with this term. Instead the term orthotics has caught on so we shall simply refer to them as orthotics. Orthotics are shoe insoles that come in many different designs, shapes and sizes. They are generally used to change to forces being applied to the foot, which in turn, changes the way your feet function. This leads to changes in the level of stress being applied to certain structures within the foot and other parts of the body. Orthotics can be designed to have a very specific purpose, such as reducing the level of stress on the plantar fascia. The choice of materials use to make orthotics, the shape, and design are all crucial components of what makes an orhotic successful or not, therefore not all orthotics are the same.
​
​
Types of Orthotics
​
Generally, there are two main types of orthotics, which include; off the shelf orthotics (also known as prefabricated orthotics), and custom made orthotics. Off the shelf orthotics are generic and are made from a wide range of materials with varying densities and shapes. As they are generic, they do not necessarily match the shape of each individual persons feet, which can make them uncomfortable and ineffective as they may be providing too much support in the arch of the foot or too little. Off the shelf orthotics, therefore, provide inconsistent results. That being said, they can still be helpful at reducing pain. Custom made orthotics are typically made by taking a scan or cast of the patients foot in the desired position. As the orthotics are made based on the shape of the scan/cast, the orthotics match the shape of your feet and will interact with your feet in a way that will maximise the chances of them working. In addition to this, a podiatrist can carefully select the various materials for the orthotics to be made from and this can be customised based on the individual patients needs. For instance some patients may require a stiff carbon fibre device, whilst others may benefit more from a more flexible device. This is known as the orthotic prescription. It is just like a drug or glasses prescription which can be modified to suit your individual needs.
​
​
Orthotics for Treating Plantar Fasciitis
​
The aim of orthotics is to reduce the biomechanical stress placed on the plantar fascia by supporting the arch of the foot. The main job role of the plantar fascia is to support the arch of the foot. Therefore as foot orthotics help the plantar fascia by supporting the arch of the foot, the level of stress placed on the plantar fascia is reduced. This helps address the issue of overloading the plantar fascia during normal daily activities such as standing and walking. It is thus, no surprise that orthotics are one of the most common treatment options for plantar fasciitis. over the years, there have been many clinical studies investigating the effectiveness of orthotics. If you would like to know more about the research check out this article published on our blog here
​
​
Our Verdict
​
In most cases, orthotics form part of the multifaceted approach to treating plantar fasciitis successfully. We recommend custom made orthotics over off the shelf orthotics as in our experience this leads to more consistent and more effective results. Similar to stretching exercises, orthotics help address and reduce the mechanical stress that leads to pain and injury of the plantar fascia. There is currently a good level of evidence to prove that good quality orthotics are effective for treating plantar fasciitis both in short and long term and are therefore considered an evidence-based treatment option.
​
At The Heel Pain Expert, we provide custom made orthotics. If you would like to discuss this option schedule a call.
​
​