Why You Shouldn't Buy Drugstore Orthotics

The human foot is one of the most beautifully engineered vehicles that exists. On an average day each one might endure between 8,000-10,000 steps; each one placing 1.5 times your bodyweight of force on it. Despite these amazing statistics, if we care for them, they can last a lifetime. However, this brings up an important point; care. It only makes sense that proper attention and maintenance be given to such an important part of our body since its responsible for our transportation. To podiatrists dismay, many Americans don’t view their feet from such a perspective. Let’s take for example orthotics. They are a mainstay of conservative treatment for everything from plantar fasciitis to congenital anomalies yet it’s often considered normal to pick up a non-customized pair from the drugstore. This may seem cost effective and efficient but if people understood the gravity behind such a casual decision they’d reconsider this choice. Feet are like snowflakes, there isn’t a single pair out there that is exactly alike. It would only make sense that to receive the greatest benefit from a device such as an orthotic it be totally customized to the exact shape of both your left and right foot. If you told your neighbor you had a hard time seeing due to buying non-prescription glasses from the local pharmacy they’d look at you incredulously. Immediately following with the question of why you wouldn’t see an optometrist to receive a pair designed to correct your unique impairment. Orthotics are very much the same. They must be customized and designed exactly for each of your unique feet to truly get any benefit from them.

If you’re suffering from any sort of pain, or are simply looking for a means of better support during athletics, or long stints on your feet consider a pair of fully customized orthotics. Podiatrists like Dr. Michael Garvin of Port Saint Lucie, Florida have the ability and skill to take the most accurate impressions of your feet possible, and have orthotics made from them. There is a reason orthotics have been a method of treatment for foot pain and support for over 50 years.

Orthotics 101

An orthosis is a device used by podiatrists to correct an abnormality in a patient's gait, or provide additional cushion and control for a surgically corrected condition. Orthotics can be made out of a variety of different materials, and many times are made by a podiatrist in office. The materials chosen for fabrication of the device are generally contingent upon the condition being treated and cost effectiveness. Orthotics are often times one of a podiatrists favorite tools as it allows them to treat an extremely broad variety of foot-related ailments with a minimally invasive technique. Once the orthosis is made it can simply be placed into the patients shoe similarly as an insole would be.     

Most insurance companies will cover the cost of an orthotic and they’re often times the best treatment for patients. Especially patients who can’t afford to spend time off their feet with any kind of surgical recovery. Some conditions that are commonly treated with an orthotic, but certainly not limited to are bunions, tailors bunions, hallux limitus and rigidus, ankle equinus, plantar fasciitis, digital subluxations, Morton’s Neuroma, high arched feet/Pes Cavus, Diabetes related conditions, and many more. 

If you have any kind of foot related pain, or think you might be a candidate for an orthotic, don’t hesitate to call one of Dr. Michael Garvin’s offices in the Port Saint Lucie area in southeast Florida. 772-335-7171  Dr. Garvin has been practicing for years and has spent this time perfecting the art of healing and controlling patients foot problems with orthoses.