Are Orthotics Effective?

Recently a patient expressed to me that he would rather perform exercises instead of custom orthotic therapy to help his pronation.  He felt that orthotics would be a crutch.

In our office we use custom functional orthotics a lot in treatment of various foot conditions.  Orthotics can be compared to eyeglasses.  Eyeglasses change the orientation of the light rays that enter the eye to allow one to see better.  Orthotics do the same by changing the orientation of the ground reactive force that hit the foot.  Eyeglasses are corrective and do not change the eyes to make them see better.  Orthotics do the same; they are corrective for certain conditions but will not change the foot to make them walk better.  Both work only when they are worn.

As a sports medicine physician I recently attended a conference in which exercises to replicate the control an orthotic gives were demonstrated.  The practitioners who presented this stated that it took years of concentration to be able sustain walking and doing other activities at this angle of gait.

Those who perform exercises for the foot when an orthotic is indicated are like those who work on squinting to see instead of wearing eyeglasses.  Squinting puts strain on the muscles of the eyes and are not effective as eyeglasses to correct vision.  Similarly, for many conditions of the foot and ankle, custom functional orthotics put the foot at the proper angle to walk.  This angle is not easily replicated or sustained voluntarily.  It is easy to regress into improper gait and allow the pathology to persist.  Certain muscles may become overworked and become fatigued or injured.

While orthotics are good for treating certain conditions, they are not a cure for all conditions.  Patients should be cautious and may even want to try an over-the-counter orthotic with proper padding to see if it some help before committing to a custom device.  In our office, we commonly describe this to our patients.  Patients should seek to gain an understanding of how and why the treatment will work for their condition.  The following are conditions for which custom functional orthotics are commonly prescribed in our office:

1. Plantar fasciitis.  This involves stretching of the plantar fascia at the arch or its insertion on the heel.  Orthotics will decrease that pressure.
2. Posterior tibial tendinitis or dysfunction.  This is the tendon that raises the arch.  Orthotics help the tendon to do its job without excessive effort.
3. Flat foot or pronated foot.  There are many pathologies that can arise from this type of foot, including pain.  Orthotics help put the foot at the proper angle.
4. High arched foot.  There are painful conditions that can arise from this type of foot as well.  Orthotics will help support this type of foot.
5. Bunions and hammertoes.  Orthotics will help these conditions from getting worse, and often help to decrease pain.
6. Tarsal coalition.  This is when certain bones in the back part of the foot are connected during development.  Orthotics will help limit painful motion.
7. Arthritis.   Orthotics will help limit painful motion here as well.
8. Tarsal tunnel syndrome.  Orthotics will help put the foot at the proper angle to relax the nerve.

Another important point regarding orthotic efficacy lies in the way the custom devices are made.  They should be properly made in a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine’s office and not a specialty shoe store.  It is incorrect to have functional devices made by stepping over a scanner or electronic plate, or picking a number off the shelf.  It is also incorrect to step into a foam box.  In order for the orthotic to be produced at the proper angle, the podiatrist must physically manipulate the foot and place it at the proper angle, called subtalar joint neutral, midtarsal joint locked.  The patient is usually seated supine and casted with plaster or similar product.  Less commonly the patient is seated and foot manipulated into the proper angle while it is touching the ground.  A scanner may be used instead of the gold standard plaster.  If no effort was made to put the foot into the right angle a device will merely replicate a pathological foot and be limited in its usefulness.

Dr. Hoy graduated from the school in which the science of orthotic therapy was invented and takes pride in fabricating devices which his patients describe as life-changing.

“…The service here was great and he solved my foot issues with custom orthotics and stretching and exercise recommendations. If you’re looking for a foot doctor downtown, I highly recommend Dr Hoy, he’s great!” -Laura N.