Orthotics in Edina and Burnsville, MN
Custom Orthotic Insoles
Orthotics Q&A
What are orthotics?
Orthotics are molded inserts that you wear in your shoes. Off-the-shelf orthotics are available at the drugstore and can help with milder problems. Pinnacle Foot & Ankle Clinics offers custom-fitted orthotics. Custom-fitted orthotics provide your feet with specially designed cushioning and support.
Orthotics come in several styles. Functional (rigid) orthotics are made of hard plastics and materials like carbon fiber. They support the proper structural alignment of your feet and legs. Accommodative (soft) orthotics use spongier materials like foam rubber and silicone gel. They relieve pressure on painful parts of your feet.
If you need rigid and soft materials in one insert, the Pinnacle Foot & Ankle Clinics team can combine both kinds into your custom orthotics.
What conditions can orthotics treat?
Custom-fitted orthotics effectively treat many foot, ankle, and leg conditions, including:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Bunions
- Bursitis
- Arthritis
- Flatfoot
- Corns
- Hammertoe
- Tendinitis
- Pain after surgery
- Diabetic ulcers
Aching legs and lower back pain are sometimes caused by foot and ankle problems. Custom-fitted orthotics correct misaligned bones and joints, reducing leg and back pain.
How do I get my custom orthotics?
If the Pinnacle Foot & Ankle Clinics team believes you might benefit from custom-fitted orthotics, the first stage is evaluating your feet and ankles and assessing your gait (how you walk). Your doctor creates a custom mold of your feet using plaster or impression foam.
Pinnacle Foot & Ankle Clinics sends the customized mold to an orthotic lab that makes your high-quality inserts. When the custom orthotics are ready, you have a fitting.
The new orthotics should fit your feet perfectly, but you might find that they feel odd at first. This is because your orthotics adjust the weight distribution and/or alignment of your feet. That’ll take some time to get used to. You should feel the benefit of your custom orthotics within a few days.
