Orthotics in

Injuries to the foot, ankle and leg are common in contact sports such as football, basketball and hockey.  Foot and ankle injuries are also common in runners, walkers, tennis players and dancers.  Orthotic insoles are an important part of the prevention and treatment of these types of injuries.

As an example, a tennis player may injure his or her ankle or foot by slipping and falling.  The orthotic insoles will help to support the foot and prevent the ankle or foot from twisting or falling inward.  This will help to reduce the risk of injury and allow the foot to heal quickly.

Foot orthotics are recommended for the prevention of diabetes-related foot problems.  The arch support will help to support the body and prevent foot deformities.

It will also provide support to the joints and muscles and will help prevent the pain associated with diabetic foot problems.

Orthotics are helpful in the prevention of injuries associated with the knee, such as ACL injuries.  These injuries are common, especially in contact sports.  Proper foot care, including the use of orthotics, will reduce the likelihood of injury.

The first day, start with two hours of exercising the foot on a device. For each day of exercise, the time on the device will be increased by one hour. Each individual and foot is unique. Foot arches, legs, knees, and hips need to be broken in different ways. We also recommend the amount of time needed for each type of foot problem. You should be able to feel some soreness and mild discomfort specifically around the foot arch, leg, knee, or hip. It may take a couple of weeks for the pain to disappear completely.

You should schedule a review appointment to be seen in about 2 weeks. At that time, you may be wearing your orthotic devices comfortably for 8 or more hours per day. It is possible that your orthotics device may require some small adjustments to improve its function or make them more comfortable.

Once you have successfully completed the break-in process, wear the device as much time as you can during the day. Ideally, this would be around 80% of the time. You should also wear the device during your regular work activities, and only then should you start doing higher impact activities such as running and other sports.

Clean your orthotics with soap and cool water on a damp cloth. Never use warm or hot water on the orthosis, as this may distort the devices. Avoid submerging the devices in water. To avoid orthotics squeaking sprinkle a small amount of talcum powder in your shoes this will eliminate the friction that causes the squeak.