Wearing properly sized shoes that are supportive and comfortable and using the appropriate orthotic arch supports and inserts recommended by your foot doctor can treat and prevent a wide variety of foot and ankle problems, including flat feet, hammertoes, and skin conditions, to name a few.

4 ways orthotic shoe inserts can help your feet and ankles include the following:

1. Provide proper arch, ball, and toe support—Custom orthotic arch supports are molded to your exact foot shape with much better results than the mass-produced variety. By subtly shifting your foot to the proper position with fine adjustments, your foot doctor can maximize your athletic performance and help treat and prevent sports injuries. Metatarsal inserts are used to raise the base of the toes for hammertoe treatment.
2. Increase stability and prevent falls—Orthotic inserts and braces are used to support weak ankles to increase stability and help prevent dangerous falls that can be particularly bad in the elderly.
3. Prevent and treat infections—Proper footwear and orthotic inserts are used to protect your feet in the treatment of systemic diseases like diabetes that can cause peripheral neuropathy and make it hard to feel cuts and infections. Orthotics can help isolate diabetic foot ulcers to allow for proper healing to occur.
4. Avoiding the need for surgery—Custom orthotics treat foot ankle problems sufficiently to prevent and avoid the need for future surgery in many cases.

For assistance with determining your foot type, proper shoe choice, and how custom orthotic inserts can work for you, contact your foot care professional. Call Syracuse Podiatry located in East Syracuse, New York. Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico, Dr. Kathleen Pyatak-Hugar, and Dr. Donal M. Erickson and their staff will help you diagnose and treat your foot or ankle condition. Call 315-446-3668 or make an appointment online today.