Treatment Specialties

Other Foot Care

Orthotics

Orthotics are shoe inserts that correct the way the foot moves while standing, walking, running or playing a sport. In addition to making these activities more comfortable and efficient, orthotics also treat problems with the feet, ankles, knees, hips or back that develop due to abnormal movements of one or both feet.

Orthotics are custom-made, biomechanical devices fabricated from a plaster case of each patient's individual foot. They offer a conservative yet effective approach to treating certain foot and ankle problems and controlling movement after foot surgery.

Each patient's orthotics can be designed to either alter foot function, protect the foot, or both. They may be rigid to control movement; soft to absorb shock, improve balance and ease pressure; or semi-rigid, with layers of both rigid and soft materials, in order to assist athletes. There are also special orthotics for children and other ones designed to fit a variety of sports footwear such as skates and ski boots.

Patients with mild foot problems may be able to achieve effective relief from over-the-counter shoes inserts. For all other cases, our physicians will conduct an examination and make a cast of your foot in order to construct custom-made orthotics to fit your individual feet. Orthotics are molded right at our facilities and take less than 30 minutes to be fitted. It then takes a few days for the orthotics to be created from the cast.

Geriatric Foot Care

Older patients have distinct foot problems, usually related to circulatory impairment or arthritis. Routine visits help to monitor secondary foot disorders and prevent further complications from occurring. As we age, our feet begin to lose their cushioning, the skin becomes dry and blood circulation to the extremities diminishes. It is important to keep the feet in their best shape in order to prevent serious conditions that can take a toll on your mobility and overall quality of life.

There are certain steps that geriatric patients can take in order to maintain the health of their feet, as well as their active lifestyle. It is important for all patients to always wear comfortable shoes that fit well in order to eliminate any additional stress on your feet. Certain shoes, especially tight or high-heeled shoes, may put pressure on the feet and increase a patient's risk of developing corns, calluses and bunions.

It is also important for older patients to keep their feet clean and dry, and to promote healthy blood circulation by stretching and walking regularly, and by avoiding sitting too long in one position. Other general lifestyle modifications, such as avoiding smoking and eating a healthy diet can also help maintain the health of the feet and allow older patients to enjoy an active and happy lifestyle.

Children and Teen Foot Care

While children are affected by many of the same foot problems as adults, there are certain conditions that pertain specifically to children, many of which develop during the first few years of life. Childhood foot conditions, such as flat feet, curved feet, toe walking, in-toeing and out-toeing, can cause the child to walk or run in ways that are unnatural. This may significantly affect the child's development as well, potentially leading to more serious foot, leg and motor problems later in life.

Growth should not be a painful process. Soreness and cramping in the feet and legs are not normal. Parents are often told by other doctors that their children may "grow out of" their condition. While this may be true in some cases, we encourage parents to have their children's feet examined annually in order to monitor any foot conditions and ensure that proper growth and development are occurring, so that children can enjoy their lives to the fullest both now and as adults.

There are many treatment options available for pediatric foot problems. The best treatment for your child will depends on his or her individual condition, but may include stretching exercises, casting, orthotics and surgery. Many children can successfully overcome their foot problems and continue to grow unaffected.

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