Custom OrthoticsOur Massapequa community is lucky to have resources like John Burns and Marjorie Post Parks. These resources enable residents to stay active and play sports like tennis, baseball, and handball. The amateur adult baseball leagues at Burns Park in the summer are especially popular, but any sport can lose its “favorite” status quickly when a foot or ankle injury comes into play. Fortunately, custom orthotics can be used to both treat and prevent medical issues.

Before we jump into the various ways that orthotic devices are beneficial, it is important to make a distinction between them and over-the-counter shoe inserts you can buy at the store. The mass-produced inserts do have some benefit, as they can provide extra arch support and cushioning, but they are not intended to address a medical issue. A pair of custom orthotic devices, on the other hand, are prescribed by a medical professional and are crafted to accommodate your unique foot structure and biomechanical processes, like your gait cycle. These are not “one size fits all” items!

How do custom orthotics help to keep you in the game? These devices can be used to achieve a couple of different objectives. Functional orthotics are used to control or restrict motion, while accommodative ones provide extra cushioning and keep feet safe from potentially dangerous situations.

As they relate to sports, orthotic devices can make feet and legs more comfortable, maintain appropriate alignment, and even increase the efficiency with which your lower limbs move. One sporting event in particular that can benefit from a pair of orthotics is running.

If you have low or high foot arches, you may have pronation abnormalities. If you are unfamiliar with that term, pronation is a process the feet go through with every step to assist in the distribution of physical forces. Flatfoot causes overpronation, whereas cavus foot (high arches) usually leads to supination. In both cases, a pair of orthotic devices can help to address, and even prevent, issues that may arise.

If a foot or ankle issue is keeping you away from your favorite activities, Foot Specialists of Long Island can help. Custom orthotics may or may not be a part of our treatment plan, but you won’t know until you come see us! Schedule your appointment today with our Nassau County, NY office online or give us a call at (516) 804-9038 to speak with one of our staff members for more information.

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