A Bunion is an enlargement and displacement of the joint of the big toe. It is often associated with the big toe moving towards the smaller toes. Sometimes the big toes can move so far that it crowds the smaller toes, and often the second to will overlap the big toe. This is caused by a biomechanical problem in the foot. There is a muscle in the lower leg called the peroneus longus. It runs along the outside of the lower leg, goes under the ankle bone on the outside, then it runs under the arch of the foot, and attaches at the base of the First Metatarsal. When this muscle fires or contracts it pulls on this Metatarsal bone to keep it held in place. As the foot flattens out more than it should the angle that this muscle pulls is changed, and it becomes less effective. The Metatarsal bone will move out from the pressure, and the toe will begin to buckle due to the forces.
Orthotics will never correct the Bunion if it has already formed. They can help the bunion from getting any worse, and they can also prevent the problem from occurring by balancing up the foot biomechanically. This will return the pull of this muscle to normal angle, thus preventing the big toe from drifting.

The foot is a complicated part of the body, which has the potential for many different problems.  Some people have compared the feet to the foundation of a building.  When the foundation begins to collapse it can cause problems to the top of the building.

Bio-mechanical problems with the feet can bring on numerous problems.  They can range from feet that the arch collapses to feet that have very high arches.   When the arch collapses it will put abnormal strain on many of the structures of the foot and legs,  Some of the most common problems that we see are: Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Pain, Arch Pain, Pain in the Ball of the Foot, Neuromas which come from a pinched nerve between the Metatarsal Heads, Tired Feet, Pain when standing, and many others. Orthotics can be very effective for treating these types of problems.  They balance the feet, so that the joints all fit together the best, and the foot will function properly.  This may also help problems further up the body.

There are many different types of Orthotics, from over the counter products that you can buy at the grocery store to Custom fabricated orthotics that are made from an impression of your feet.    The typical over the counter or store bought orthotics are made with a few different sizes.  They are not designed for a person who has minor problems.  They come in different sizes and are made from a form that is designed to fit the average person, whatever that is?

To obtain a pair of Custom Orthotics it is necessary to have an impression made of your feet.  From this impression a duplicate of your feet of your feet is created.  This is then used to balance up the foot bio-mechanically . from this a Custom Orthotic can be fabricated.

Morton’s Neuroma  is a condition where there is pain in the ball of the foot, which sometimes radiates up into the toes.  It is most commonly found in the area just behind the third and fourth toes.  This is caused by the nerve being pinched between the Metatarsal Heads in this area.  In response to this irritation of the nerve there will be a buildup of the Schwan layer of the nerve.  This is the outside cells that protect the nerve.  As this happens the nerve will be pinched even more, and the problem gets worse. This problem can become very painful.  The treatment of a neuroma can range from the use of Orthotics, injections  to surgery.  The way that orthotics can help with this problem is they are used to spread the Metatarsal heads, and reduce the pinching of the nerve.  A metatarsal pad, which is a tear drop shape soft pad,  that is applied to the orthotic just behind the metatarsal head.  It applies soft pressure which will give the nerve area to reduce the pinching,  and allow the inflammation of the nerve to reduce.  Orthotics can be a very effective treatment for Morton’s Neuroma if used correctly and is more effective if used at the beginning of the problem.  If you are experiencing this problem you can give us a call on our toll free number ( 800-500-2909)  to discuss this.

We have been asked numerous times, because of the price of our orthotics , are they really a custom made orthotic, or are they prefabricated that have been made to like custom orthotics. First let us reassure you, they are custom orthotics. When we receive the impression kit back from the person who has ordered, we fill it full of a casting plaster, and let it harden. We then remove it from the foam, we clean it up and do an evaluation on the feet. If there is a bio-mechanical problem, we will make modifications to the cast of their feet. When the cast are ready a sheet of ultra high molecular polyethylene plastic, (which is a thermo plastic, which means it get soft when is heated), is formed over this corrected cast. It is allowed to cool, and the grinding portion of the process begins. This semi-rigid plastic shell is ground to end just behind the ball of the foot, come up into the arch and cup around the heel. There are several different grinding steps to produce a smooth finished product. Then the top cover is applied. There are several different types of top cover. There are soft top covers, hypoallergenic plain vinyl and full length. The different top covers are used for different needs. From this point the orthotics are checked and sent off to the customer.

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