I have a poster in my office that advertises orthotics, and the above question is one I get often. A common reason for knee, hip, and back pain is poor arch support from shoes-but does this mean that orthotics are needed?
Orthotics are typically molded inserts made from a cast of someone’s foot, and then inserted into a sneaker or dress shoe for the purpose of supporting the foot arches. These can be fitted by podiatrists, chiropractors, orthopedic doctors, or physical therapists; and they can be obtained outside of a medical office by purchasing them online or other retail settings.
Here are reasons to consider orthotics:
1. Persistent heel/foot pain in the morning, or after sitting for a while then rising to walk.
2. Flat feet (usually present from birth).
3. Feet that develop corns or callouses.
4. Persistent ankle, knee, hip, or lower back pain.
5. Patients with diabetes or who have bunions.
6. People with balance and stability issues.
7. After knee or hip replacement surgery.
8. Individuals involved in high impact sports-especially (runners, soccer/basketball players)
Proper support of the foot is key to potentially avoiding a multitude of conditions, from arthritis to general wear and tear on the cartilage, ligaments, and tendons of the foot, ankle, knee, and hip joints. Some studies have indicated that proper foot support could reduce lower extremity injuries and may help manage chronic knee conditions.
Remember the initial point of contact of the body to the ground is the foot, and if the way stress from the ground is loaded into the lower extremities is compromised, this in many cases causes chronic wear and tear injuries to joints and surrounding soft tissues.
One last thought: When it comes to foot inserts, you get what you pay for. Invest time and energy into having your foot, knees, and spine properly evaluated by a medical professional before you purchase orthotics. A good pair of orthotics will run you $300-600 dollars but will last for years to come-its worth the investment in yourself. Listed below are some links to research concerning this topic.