Please click on the link below to access the article from The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/29/health/mris-often-overused-often-mislead-doctors-warn.html?_r=1&ref=health

Initially a new foot orthotic may feel intrusive or awkward. For most individuals, an adjustment period of a few weeks is normal. Each experience is different as people have different tolerance levels, therefore it is difficult to set a guideline as to how long it takes to get used to an orthotic. Some people feel an immediate positive improvement while others notice improvement after a few days or weeks. It is generally recommended to gradually break-in to a new orthotic by wearing them for one or two hours during the first few days and adding an hour each day. A foot orthotic should never be painful to wear. A little discomfort under the arch during the first few weeks is normal, but if the orthotic becomes painful, a Pedorthist should adjust them as soon as possible. After the first few weeks, you should be wearing your orthotics comfortably all day, and feel a difference when you go back to regular footwear without the custom orthotic.

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Arthritis
• Diabetes
• Bunions
• Shin Splints
• Metatarsalgia (pain in the forefoot)
• Leg Length Discrepancies
• Sports Injuries
• Achilles Tendonitis
• Excessive pronation or supination
• Flat Feet / Fallen Arches
• Claw Toes or Hammer Toes
• 

Our blog theme for the month of September is ‘Foot Orthotics – Back to Basics’, explaining the common questions we get asked about foot orthotics.

What is a foot orthotic? – A foot orthotic is a medical device that is placed into a shoe to help support, align, prevent or correct foot deformities or ailments. The goal of a foot orthotic is to reduce pain and unnecessary stresses and improve the overall performance of the foot and lower limbs.  A ‘custom-made’ orthotic (different from ‘custom-fit’) is manufactured using a 3D mould of the individual’s feet to ensure the arch and specific qualities of the foot are properly accommodated. A foot orthotic can be used to successfully treat a number of painful foot ailments, including; heel, arch and forefoot pain, as well as complications related to conditions such as diabetes and arthritis.

It’s an icky topic I know, but many of us have foot corns and callusing which can be uncomfortable and painful. Here are a few tips to help care for your feet and reduce the inflamed area.

Corns and calluses are a thickening of the skin as a reaction to abnormal pressure. This can be caused by footwear that is too tight, walking on rough surfaces or your individual bone structure. The body attempts to protect itself by forming a layer of armor, but often the result can be very painful. Here’s what to do for prevention and treatment:

1. Pumice the area every few days after a bath or shower. (Do not try to remove them yourself with a knife or razor blade, especially if you are diabetic.)
2. Moisturize the area every day (Vick’s Vapor Rub is a good treatment).
3. Wear shoes that are the proper width as well as length. When buying new shoes, look for a shoe company that offers their styles in different widths.
4. Try a gel corn pad or toe sleeve over the corn or callused area to ad a buffer between the sensitive area and your footwear.
5. For stubborn corns and callusing, see a footcare nurse regularly for deep treatment on the area.
6. Consider seeing a Pedorthist for recommendations on custom orthotics as these devices can help to ‘off-load’ weight from the sensitive area.

Feel free to contact us anytime for more questions about caring for foot corns and callusing.

They are knee braces that can actually provide relief to your osteoarthritic knee. Many orthopedic surgeons and other MD’s consistently refer for OA off-loader braces for their patients. We carry a full line of the very best braces found on this planet and would love to tell you more about them if you call or drop by the store.

At Dynamic Orthotics we are trained in fitting braces and work alongside other medical health professionals to provide clients with the best health possible.

And yes they work for most people. At Dynamic Orthotics you have a 90 day test drive with the custom and off the shelf OA braces, if they are not working or for whatever reason, we will allow you to return the brace with no questions asked. We want you to be happy, healthy and pain free.

All other braces such as ankle, wrist, elbow, Aircast boots, etc., we give you a 2 week trial period to make sure the brace will function properly for you. If you aren’t happy, please return the brace. Again we want you to be happy, healthy and pain free.

See you soon!

Many people have the best intentions to improve their fitness levels but find it hard to get started due to foot pain. Some common foot ailments that affect people of all ages and body types include; plantar fasciitis, which is pain, generally in the heel, caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia (tissue that spans the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes) and is most noticeable first thing in the morning. Metatarsalgia is pain, burning or discomfort under the ball of the foot or in the toes and is caused when the soft tissue in this area becomes inflamed. It is most noticeably when standing or walking and during the push-off phase of each step. Arthritis in the joints and bones of the feet can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in or around the joints and can affect one’s mobility. Other common problems include bunions, hammer toes and achilles tendonitis, all of which can be very painful or become aggravated when exercising.

Fortunately most people who experience these symptoms can find improvement with custom made orthotics. If you are experiencing any of the ailments listed above feel free to give us a call for some free advice, or come in for a full lower limb biomechanical assessment by our Certified Pedorthist.

2 things generally occur to cause this pain, you will either develop a heel spur or  you will have micro tears in the fascia. Usually, I will see someone and they will complain of pain in the  morning during the first few steps out of bed or after rest. If this is the case, then it is likely you have developed tearing in the fascia and not a heel spur. Others complain of pain in the heel while walking in the middle of the day, this may be linked to a heel spur, but an X-ray would have to be taken to verify.

The reason you have pain in the morning is because during the night your plantar fascia starts to heal in a relaxed arch position, during the healing process you will develop scar tissue and when you get up to take you first few steps in the morning your arch drops and you end up re-tearing the fascia. After your first few steps the pain seems to get better because the damage has been done early and now your blood is flowing and you are getting warmed up.

A heel spur is your bodies defense against a tissue that is pulling away from bone. If the plantar fascia is very short or tight due to lengthening it will pull the hardest at the weakest link, which is generally at the insertion point, your heel. Your body then starts to calcify a bony outgrowth at that point to prevent the fascia from tearing. Although a good attempt by the body to prevent injury, the person with a heel spur begins to feel pain because they are walking on a bony hard prominence under their heel, ouch!

There are many things you can do to treat Plantar Fasciitis, please check back for my next blog when I will give the many different treatment options in full detail.

Thanks for listening, see you soon