A recently-published study by the British Journal of Foot Medicine has determined that custom orthotics can reduce the risk of foot and ankle injuries by 28% – along with lowering the risk of stress fractures alone by an impressive 41%!

At Preferred Foot & Ankle Specialists, we are confident in those kinds of numbers because we have seen so many of our patients benefit from orthotic devices. Even better, in addition to injury prevention, orthotic devices reduce painful symptoms, address medical issues, and can even increase athletic performance in athletes of all levels.

If you’re on the fence about whether or not custom orthotics are right for you, consider this:

We want you to have the ability to perform all of your favorite activities without suffering from foot or ankle pain. Probably isn’t going out on a limb much to assume you want the same thing!

Well, we certainly have many options available to treat problems that arise, but we also can provide solutions to prevent them from developing in the first place.

One particular option that works quite well in both treating and preventing foot and ankle sports injuries is custom orthotic therapy.

Before we proceed, it is important to note that—contrary to certain misconceptions—podiatrists do not prescribe custom orthotics to everyone who comes to see us. We only prescribe them to patients who will benefit from using them. And when we do, the results are often quite successful.

Now, some people wonder if orthotics are really all that different from inserts sold off-the-shelf at retail stores and national pharmacy chains. The answer is a resounding “yes!” Those inserts do have their particular place (more on that in a second), but custom orthotics can actually be used to treat medical conditions.

As noted, however, orthotics can play a role in helping you to prevent foot and ankle sports injuries from developing in the first place.

How can they do so?

It depends. See, there are many kinds of orthotics and they can help in different ways. Generally speaking, however, we can lump these versatile medical devices into two groups – functional and accommodative.

Functional orthotics are constructed from sturdier materials and are intended to control or restrict motion. This is particularly beneficial for athletes who undergo abnormal biomechanical processes when they run, jump, or even walk.

Accommodative orthotics are constructed from softer materials and typically provide extra cushioning to protect areas of the foot subjected to excessive force loads. These devices can keep feet safe from potentially dangerous situations.

Depending on your needs, we may prescribe either kind of device. If we do, what you will find is your feet, legs, and even back will become more comfortable—on account of adjusted alignment—and you may even have an increased efficiency with how your lower limbs move.

For more information on how custom orthotics can contribute to sports injury prevention—or to request an appointment for treatment (no matter if orthotics are the answer or not)—contact Preferred Foot & Ankle Specialists by calling (480) 497-3946 to connect with our Gilbert, AZ podiatry practice.

Download our coloring page Orthotics and Sports here!