Chronic knee, hip, or back pain could be signs of a deep-rooted alignment problem that originates in your feet. Since your feet are the foundation for your whole body, they sustain the brunt of impact when you run, jump, or walk.. Additionally, if you wear unsupportive shoes, you’re simply contributing to the problem.
The highly trained team of podiatrists at City Podiatry in Midtown, Manhattan, are some of the best physicians in their field. They understand how important foot and ankle stability are to the stability and health of your entire body.
If your podiatrist determines that you could use some extra support and realignment in your feet, they may recommend custom orthotics. Orthotics go beyond foot pain to improve ankle, back, and knee pain, too.
How misaligned feet affect your body
During a consultation at City Podiatry, your doctor examines your feet and legs and watches how you walk to determine if the pain you feel in your knees, hips, or lower back originates from the misalignment in your feet.
Misaligned feet, fallen arches, and other foot problems can lead to issues that include:
- Lower back pain
- Recurring leg and back injuries
- Ankle pain
- Knee pain
- Hip pain
Your feet are the first part of what podiatrists refer to as the “kinetic chain,” which is the way the joints in your legs and feet link together and affect one another. When your feet aren’t functioning optimally, it can affect every link in the kinetic chain.
There are several different foot conditions that can throw your kinetic base off kilter and cause chronic joint pain in other areas of your body. During your evaluation, your podiatrist looks for common foot problems that affect the way you move, including:
- Calluses, corns, or ulcers
- Fallen arches, or flat feet
- Tendonitis
- Bunions
- Heel spurs
- Hammertoes
- Diabetic, or other types of nerve pain
- Arthritis or bursitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Pronation (foot rolls inward)
- Supination (foot rolls outward)
If the bones in your foot are misaligned for any of these reasons, or other foot conditions, we may recommend custom-fit orthotics to help align your your feet, support your arches, and provide the support you need to walk without foot or joint pain.
The custom-orthotic difference
When your podiatrist recommends custom-designed orthotics for you, they make physical or digital impressions of your feet to send to a special orthotics lab. Your doctor also includes recommendations for your new orthotics that remedy problems such as over-pronation or fallen arches. This means that your orthotics compensate for issues and correct your foot problems, so your feet function optimally.
Depending on your needs, your podiatrist may recommend either accommodative orthotics, which cushion your foot, or functional orthotics, which are more rigid and supportive. In either case, your custom orthotics are molded to your feet, so they’re not interchangeable with generic models.
Think of custom orthotics as a form of medicine for your feet. It may take a few days to adjust to wearing them, but once you do, your foot, ankle, hip, and lower back pain should improve.
Custom-fitted means custom-adjusted to your feet
Custom-fitted orthotics aren’t simply a device that you put in your shoes and forget about until they wear out. At City Podiatry, we have you come in for follow-up appointments so we can observe how well your orthotics are correcting your foot alignment and straightening your kinetic chain.
As your gait improves over time, if you gain or lose weight, or have other needs, we may prescribe new orthotics, as well. If you have severe alignment problems or have complications — such as diabetic or peripheral neuropathy — we may recommend special footwear in addition to your orthotics.
If your new orthotics help relieve pain, but you’re still having issues, we may also prescribe complementary treatments like physical therapy to help you build strength and flexibility and improve your balance. If you have injured tendons or ligaments, we may recommend regenerative medicine or corticosteroid injections to help you heal. And, if you have corns, bunions, plantar fasciitis, or other foot problems, we address and treat those issues as well.
Custom orthotics can help you get back on your feet and back to your life without foot, joint, and lower back pain by correcting misalignment in your feet.
If you suspect your feet are at the source of your musculoskeletal pain, give us a call at 917-810-4204 to schedule a consultation with one of our caring, compassionate physicians. Or, request the next available appointment through our online booking system.
