Custom Orthotics Can Alleviate Back, Knee, Ankle, and Foot Pain: Here's How

Each year, more people throughout the world are benefitting from foot orthotics and for good reason. When you slip these customized devices into your shoes for better alignment, the benefits are especially pronounced. 

Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialists in South West Chicago is known as the premier place for customized orthotic care, and we take great care in ensuring ideal treatment for every patient. 

Read on to learn how custom orthotics can alleviate pain in your ankles, back, knees, and feet.

Advantages of custom orthotics

Each one of your feet contains 26 bones, 30 joints, as well as more than 100 ligaments, tendons, and muscles. When all of these parts are functioning well, they allow you to comfortably stand, move, and remain stable. And even though feet can do a remarkable job supporting you, they often require support, too.

A problem in any of the components of your feet can lead to challenges, from difficulties walking or exercising with ease to chronic pain and inflammation. Orthotics help by supporting the complex structures of your feet. Although “orthotics” is used to describe any device that you insert in your shoes, custom orthotics are created specifically for the shape, structure, and needs of your feet. 

Custom orthotics bring about a structural realignment of your feet and legs to prevent or reduce fatigue and alignment of your bones, muscles, and tendons.

Problems custom orthotics address

When your feet are better aligned and supported, your whole skeletal system can benefit because you’ll remain more stable and aligned from your feet up. Poor alignment of the bones in your feet can bring on chronic ankle, back, or knee pain, for example, and make you more prone to injuries. 

Conditions that custom orthotics can help manage or treat include:

• Ankle and foot injuries
• Bunions
• Bursitis
• Chronic pain related to poor foot alignment
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Flat feet
• Hammertoes
• High arches
• Muscle aches
• Neuromas
• Osteoarthritis and related knee pain
• Plantar fasciitis
• Rheumatoid arthritis 
• Sciatica pain
• Shin splints
• Tendonitis
• Weak ankles

Custom orthotics may also be recommended while you’re recovering from surgery, as an effective way to prevent foot deformities.

Getting started with custom orthotics

Drs. Christopher Vittori and Ameet Thakrar specialize in all types of orthopedic conditions and aim to treat each person as an individual. After a comprehensive exam, they may recommend rigid, soft, or semi-soft orthotics, depending on your unique needs. 

Once you’ve been approved for custom orthotics, Dr. Vittori or Thakrar will take a 3D imprint of your foot that captures every structural detail. From there, advanced technology will be used to create accurate impressions of your feet and customize the mold for improved alignment.

To learn more about custom orthotics or get the restored balance and support you need, call Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist, or request an appointment through our website.