The human foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments, and 19 muscles and tendons. Combined, the 52 bones in the feet make up almost ¼ of all the bones in the human body. With that in mind, when you abuse your feet, you’re putting strain on up to 25% of all your bones.
Some of us abuse our feet more than others. Many of us are on our feet all day long with little time to sit and rest. For people in the food service industry, being on foot for a long period of time is an unavoidable reality, and with the introduction of standing desks, even office workers are feeling the effects of being on their feet all day. While standing, walking, and running have many proven benefits, it’s important to make sure that you’re taking precautions to look after the health of your feet.
Years of abuse can cause immediate discomfort and can lead to more serious ailments down the road, such as severe misalignment and/or chronic foot and ankle pain. Symptoms of foot abuse can range from specific pain such as ankle, heel, arch, forefoot, and bunion pain, to more generalized foot pain, fatigue, and weakness by the end of the day.
Treating Foot Pain
Many workspace surfaces can be very unforgiving on the feet and ankles, such as cement or concrete. Many patients that seek treatment through Western Washington Medical Group Podiatry, experience pain in their feet and ankles because they are forced to stand on their feet on a cement surface all day long; from the time they get out of their car and walk into work, to the time they return to it at the end of the day. Does this sound familiar?
There are a few things that can be done to modify the workplace environment to minimize foot pain, such as the use of floor padding or varied surfaces. Wearing proper shoe gear is important, and using appropriate over-the-counter support can help. When possible, sitting periodically throughout the day can give your feet a chance to rest. But while these treatments can help, they’re not always effective as a long-term remedy, and may not relieve all symptoms.
If you are living with pain in your feet, it may be time to talk to a podiatrist at WWMG about custom orthotics.
What Are Custom Orthotics?
Custom Orthotics look similar to over-the-counter insoles, however, they’re custom made devices that are designed to align the foot and ankle in the most efficient position for your body, alleviating painful structural stress by realigning your feet for optimal relief and capability. Custom orthotics are built specifically for your body, and are made to support your unique gait cycle and comfort you as you move.
Orthotics place the foot in a biomechanically corrected position, allowing proper weight bearing and weight/force distribution, and thereby reducing the specific pain-causing conditions, and generalized foot pain.
Who Can Benefit From Custom Orthotics?
There are many signs that indicate you may benefit from custom orthotics, however, only an in-person examination by a licensed Podiatrist can offer a conclusive verdict. That said, here are a few signs you may benefit from custom orthotics.
- Different wear patterns on your shoes – Abnormal wear patterns can indicate leg length discrepancy, misalignment, and other abnormalities in your gait.
- A shallow or deep footprint curve – Your bare footprint can reveal if you have a low or high arch, indicated by how much the print ‘curves’ between the heel and the ball of the foot.
- An injury to your lower body – When an injury occurs, the body overcompensates. This can put extra pressure on certain areas of the feet, causing pain, and can even aggravate the injury.
- Nerve damage in your lower body– Injury or diseases such as diabetes can result in subsequent nerve damage. If you suffer from nerve damage, you may not be able to feel pain or other sensations, and your body may be overcompensating for your numbness by putting stress on other parts of the body.
The most important sign you should pay attention to is pain. Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong. If treated right away, foot and ankle ailments can be temporary; if ignored, they can lead to severe long-term damage and chronic pain.
Custom Orthotics at WWMG
If you have serious pain that interferes with daily activity, or chronic discomfort while standing, walking, running, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist at WWMG to discuss your concerns and get a full examination. In our podiatry center, we have advanced technology that will help us determine if you are a viable candidate for custom orthotics.
If the information gathered during the exam shows that you could benefit from custom orthotics, a Podiatric Physician at WWMG will capture a 3D image of each foot using our state-of-the-art medical technology. Combining information gained from the imaging machine, and an examination that highlights personal details such as the type of shoes you most often wear, and activities you perform, your custom orthotics will be designed and ordered for you.
About WWMG Podiatry
Our Podiatric Physicians are professionals that specialize in foot and ankle health, injury prevention, and treatment of ailments related to the foot and ankle. We offer comprehensive care for patients by providing customized surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatment plans, as well as professional expertise and patient education.
With a background in sports and coaching, we understand the importance of long-term pain resolution and prevention, working diligently to identify the source, and correct poor lower extremity mechanics to maximize performance and get our patients back to living active, healthy lifestyles.
Call WWMG at (425) 259-0855 or request an appointment with a Podiatrist to evaluate your foot or ankle pain.