Jokes about fallen arches, painful heels, and more are pretty common, but these foot and ankle problems aren’t so funny to the person who needs arch support. In such cases, your podiatrist will tell you that arch support is so important.
Let’s look at the reasons why and how to arch support works and where you can go for comprehensive foot and ankle care in Cincinnati, OH.
What Can Happen to the Arches of Your Feet
Ligaments and tendons along the bottom of the foot support and connect the metatarsal and tarsal bones, which form distinctly curved and weight-bearing arches. If malformed or hurt through repetitive motion, sprain, or other acute injury, arches cannot do their jobs, i.e., helping you walk, run and simply stand with minimal strain on the lower extremities.
Examples of foot arch problems that your podiatrist frequently sees and treats in people of all ages include:
- Fallen arches, or flat feet
- Plantar fasciitis is an inflammatory condition of the band of connective tissue stretching across the arch from the heel to the toes
- Overpronation is a gait defect in which the foot rolls toward the midline when walking or running
- Ankle sprains, an overstretching or tearing of connective tissues between bones
- Heel pain and swelling
- Cavus foot, a pronounced arch deformity caused by cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or other medical condition
How Arch Support Can Help
Arch support can help improve the pain, balance, and gait problems common to arch deformities and conditions. Available over the counter (for mildly symptomatic issues) or as custom-made orthotics from your podiatrist, arch support:
- Holds up the ligaments, tendons, and bones on the bottom of the foot
- Corrects biomechanical issues associated with how the person places the foot on the ground
- Provides impact cushioning
- Corrects balance
- Decreases pain and fatigue in the feet, ankles, and lower legs
Orthotics are customized by your podiatric team using amazing three-dimensional scans of the entire foot. Then, the data and images are analyzed to create arch supports that fit directly into footwear to deliver the support, cushioning, correction, and protection needed.
Podiatrists construct orthotics from high-quality, long-lasting materials such as carbon fiber, and while somewhat costly if health insurance does not provide coverage, the devices literally last for years.
Arch Support Solutions at Cincinnati Foot & Ankle Care
If you have foot, ankle, leg, knee, or hip pain, ask your podiatrist at Cincinnati Foot & Ankle Care about arch support with customized orthotics. You may get the help you need for long-term foot and ankle health, optimal biomechanical performance, and pain relief.
To know more or make an appointment with one of our outstanding podiatrists, contact our friendly staff today by calling our location near you or by filling out our easy-to-use appointment request form online now. We look forward to being your podiatric healthcare partner!
