Custom Orthotics in Merrick, NY
Foot/heel pain and gait issues are the most common problems affecting millions worldwide. These conditions alter the smooth running of people’s daily lives and negatively impact their overall quality of life. You may experience foot pain due to several factors, including injury and medical conditions. Fortunately, custom orthotics in Merrick can give you efficient relief from foot pain and improve your overall mobility.
Orthotics make you more comfortable while you perform different activities with an injured or deformed foot. People with flat heels/high arches, people whose jobs involve a lot of physical activity, and people who participate in sports can benefit immensely from orthotics. Custom orthotics in Merrick, NY, will help if you have foot pain, injuries, or problems with your gait.
What are Custom Orthotics?
Custom orthotics, commonly called orthoses, are specially designed or customized devices that people wear on a doctor’s prescription to relieve foot/heel pain, treat or manage foot deformities, and repair damages to an external part of the body. Examples of orthotics include foot pads, shoe inserts, ankle braces, etc. Custom foot orthotics in Merrick are different from the popular over-the-shelf insoles. Unlike the latter, the former has a unique and personalized design that ensures that it efficiently meets your needs. Foot orthotics can be made from different materials, making them functional, accommodative, rigid, semi-rigid, and semi-flexible.
What Conditions Do Custom Orthotics Treat?
Several factors may lead to foot/heel pain or abnormalities. Custom orthotics in Merrick can treat individuals suffering from the following conditions:
- Chronic foot pain
- Foot deformities
- Foot or ankle injuries
- Arthritis
- Back pain
- Bursitis
- Bunions
- Flat feet
- High arches
- Hammer toes
- Heel spurs
- Plantar fasciitis
- Neuroma
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Diabetes
Functions of Custom Orthotics
The following are the various functions of custom orthotics designed by specialists at Merrick:
- Protection and support of the joints and other parts of the body
- Better alignment of joints into functional positions
- Correction of differences between the length of both legs
- Redistribution of pressure throughout the foot
- Absorbs shock in the foot
- Foot orthotics correct the balance of the foot muscles.
Sometimes, custom foot orthotics complement the functions of injured or damaged foot parts.
How are Custom Orthotics made in Merrick, NY?
There are four main procedures involved in the manufacturing of custom orthotics. These include assessment, design, manufacturing, and deployment of the device.
Assessment
The first step to making custom foot orthotics is a comprehensive physical examination, gait analysis, biomechanical assessment, and imaging studies (MRI or X-ray scans). In Merrick, NY, the doctor will assess your feet to determine which custom orthotics you need.
Design
After a comprehensive assessment of your feet, the healthcare professional designs the custom orthotics. They may use 3D scanning, casting, and weight-bearing impression methods to take an accurate mold of your foot for design. Your healthcare professional then uses the foot mold to design a 3D model of your custom foot orthotics.
Manufacturing
Your healthcare professional decides the best material for your custom orthotics. The common materials used to manufacture custom orthotics include carbon fiber, soft foam, rigid plastic, etc. After selecting the materials for the orthotics manufacturing, the healthcare professional sends the orthotics design to a specialized laboratory for manufacturing.
Fitting and Adjustments
When your custom orthotics are ready, you will return to your healthcare professional to get fitted. Your doctor makes every necessary adjustment to ensure your custom orthotics are comfortable and efficient.
Making custom orthotics in Merrick may take about 2 to 4 weeks for the entire process. The materials, size, and design complexity determine the cost of custom orthotics.
Benefits of Custom Orthotics
The following are the benefits of getting custom orthotics in Merrick:
- Pain relief
- Reduced risk of injury
- Improved gait and posture
- Enhanced foot support
- Prevention of abnormal foot function
- Prevention of further injuries
- Enhancement of athletic performance
- Improvement of balance, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Much are Custom Orthotics?
The prices of custom orthotics vary and are dependent on several factors. These factors include the size of the orthotics, position, materials used, complexity of design, etc.
How Much Does Custom Orthotics Cost?
Custom orthotics cost anywhere between $300 and $800. The price of custom orthotics varies, depending on the type of orthotics, manufacturer, foot condition, type of material, and geographic location.
How Long Do Custom Orthotics Last?
Custom orthotics typically last anywhere between 2 to 3 years. That might not always be the case, though. While some orthotics require yearly replacements, others can endure up to five years. Factors that influence custom orthotic longevity include manufacturing materials and usage frequency.
How Long Do Custom Orthotics Take to Make?
The entire process of custom orthotics, from manufacture to fitting, may take about 2 to 4 weeks.
Conclusion
At Summit Physical Therapy, we provide a true "Partial Weight-bearing Cast" of your optimal foot position after careful biomechanical measurement.. Using actual plaster, we position your foot in the neutral position for functional loading and cast it in place. Unlike foam step-in casts or optic scans, which provide a simple profile of the bottom of your foot, this method casts your foot's "optimal" position. The result is the correct fit in the correct position.
In response to our patients reporting that their Orthotics “just never fit right,” we partnered with a local Podiatric Orthotics Lab to make orthotics that fit right from day one.
It all starts with the correct mold. We make a partial weight-bearing cast, which allows us to hold your foot in its optimal position while the plaster mold is being made. The mold is then fabricated into the orthotic, taking other variables like weight, strength, and intended use into account. The result is an orthotic that often fits well from the first day!
Get in touch with us to schedule an appointment at our physical therapy clinic in Merrick, NY, or book a free consultation to see if we're a good fit for your recovery!
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