Custom vs Over the Counter Orthotics

Why Foot Health Matters

Foot health plays a vital role in maintaining overall body alignment. When imbalances occur in the feet, they can lead to discomfort and pain in the knees, hips, and spine. This article highlights the essential reasons why custom orthotics are important for everyone.

The Impact of Foot Alignment on Body Mechanics

Issues like flat feet or high arches disrupt natural biomechanics, forcing other joints to compensate. Misaligned feet can strain the knees, hips, and spine, causing pain and discomfort. Custom orthotics help restore proper alignment by providing tailored arch support and cushioning, which reduces stress on the body and enhances posture. By maintaining correct angles during movement, they promote an efficient and natural gait.

Custom Orthotics vs. Generic Inserts

While retail inserts claim to be universal solutions, they often lack the personalized support needed for long-term relief. They may offer temporary comfort but typically do not address individual foot mechanics and need frequent replacement. In contrast, custom orthotics are specifically designed for your feet, considering your unique shape, size, and needs. Made from high-quality materials, custom orthotics are durable and can last for years, making them a worthwhile investment in your foot and body health.

Easing Knee Pain

Misaligned feet can cause improper knee rotation, leading to conditions like patellar tendonitis or runner's knee. Custom orthotics correct foot positioning, alleviating pressure on the knee joints and reducing the risk of chronic pain. By promoting proper foot alignment, they support healthier biomechanics, easing stress on the knees and other joints. Many patients report significant relief from knee pain with custom orthotics, allowing them to move comfortably and engage in their favorite activities. Additionally, custom orthotics serve as an effective preventive measure against chronic knee pain, especially for those with active lifestyles or pre-existing foot issues.

Alleviating Strain on Hips and Spine

Misalignment in the feet can trigger a cascading effect throughout the body, impacting the knees, hips, and spine and potentially leading to chronic issues such as lower back pain or hip bursitis. Custom orthotics help evenly distribute weight and align the hips and spine, relieving current pain and preventing future problems. Proper alignment facilitates more efficient movement, reducing fatigue and minimizing the risk of injury.

Debunking the Retail Orthotics Myth

Many believe that over-the-counter orthotics provide comparable support to custom options. However, retail orthotics are designed for the average foot and often fail to accommodate individual variations.

- Generic Design: Store-bought orthotics typically take a one-size-fits-all approach, which may not effectively address specific foot conditions.

- Temporary Relief: Some may find short-term comfort with retail inserts, but they usually require frequent replacement to remain effective.

- Limited Customization: Unlike custom orthotics, which are tailored to your unique foot shape and gait, retail options lack the necessary adjustments for optimal support.

- Long-Term Solutions: For those with complex foot issues or chronic pain, custom orthotics offer a more effective, long-lasting solution.

- Professional Assessment: Custom orthotics involve a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional to ensure they meet your specific needs.

In summary, while retail orthotics can serve a purpose, they often do not provide the comprehensive support and relief that custom orthotics offer, particularly for individuals with specific foot problems.

A Comprehensive Foot Care Strategy

Custom orthotics are vital for maintaining healthy feet and overall body alignment. However, they work best as part of a holistic foot care strategy, which includes wearing well-fitting shoes, engaging in regular stretching and strengthening exercises, and scheduling routine evaluations with a podiatrist. This approach helps maintain foot health and alignment, significantly reducing the risk of pain and injury.

If you're considering custom orthotics, consult a healthcare professional, such as a podiatrist, who can assess your foot mechanics and recommend tailored solutions. The fitting process may involve taking molds or scans of your feet to create orthotics that meet your unique needs.

Final Thoughts

Custom orthotics are essential for correcting foot alignment and alleviating strain on the knees, hips, and spine. Unlike store-bought inserts that provide only temporary relief, custom orthotics deliver personalized, long-term support tailored to your unique foot structure. Investing in custom orthotics can help prevent and relieve pain, improve posture, and enhance overall well-being.

If you’re experiencing discomfort in your feet or knees, consider integrating custom orthotics into your foot care regimen. Giving proper attention to your feet can lead to significant improvements in your quality of life, enabling you to move freely and comfortably.

Gout

One gout attack + other painful joint(s) in the body, is enough to consider Krystexxa.

Gout Treatment

KRYSTEXXA has a different way of lowering uric acid levels, which is the key to stopping gout flares. In about 6 months, it can remove years of uric acid crystal buildup from your joints. Many patients have a longstanding history of misdiagnosis of arthritis, when actually the joint is eroded from Gout. This often appears the same on radiographs.

ORAL GOUT MEDICINES DON’T:

• CONVERT URIC ACID: KRYSTEXXA is the only gout treatment that changes uric acid into a water-soluble substance called allantoin that your body easily gets rid of through urine.

• SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER URIC ACID LEVEL IN 24 HOURS: After just one IV treatment, it starts to lower your uric acid level enough to begin dissolving years of uric acid crystal buildup.

• DISSOLVE YEARS OF GOUT BUILDUP IN JUST MONTHS: It can take more than two years for oral gout medicines to dissolve even a small amount of uric acid crystal buildup. KRYSTEXXA can dissolve most of it in about 6 months.

Before prescribing KRYSTEXXA, your doctor will test you for a rare G6PD (glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency that would prevent you from starting treatment. Once cleared, your doctor will confirm KRYSTEXXA is covered by your insurance. Take advantage of support services throughout your treatment as much or as little as you’d like.

How to get ready for a Krystexxa treatment?

If you are scheduled to receive Krystexxa treatment, there are several steps you can take to prepare.

• Follow your doctor’s instructions: Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions regarding when and how to take any pre-treatment medications or supplements. This may include taking an over-the-counter pain reliever or an antihistamine to help prevent an allergic reaction.

• Drink plenty of fluids: It is important to drink plenty of fluids in the days leading up to your Krystexxa treatment. This can help keep you hydrated and reduce the risk of certain side effects, such as kidney problems.

• Avoid certain foods and drinks: Your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods and drinks in the days leading up to your Krystexxa treatment. For example, it is generally recommended that you avoid alcohol and foods high in purines, such as red meat, seafood, and organ meats, which can exacerbate gout symptoms.

• Plan for transportation: Because Krystexxa is administered intravenously, you will need to plan for transportation to and from your treatment. You may feel tired or groggy after your treatment, so it is best to arrange for someone to drive you home.

• Wear comfortable clothing: It is important to wear loose, comfortable clothing on the day of your Krystexxa treatment. This will make it easier for the healthcare provider to access your veins for the IV injection.

• Bring a book or other form of entertainment: Krystexxa treatment can take several hours to complete, so it is a good idea to bring a book, tablet, or other form of entertainment to keep yourself occupied during the procedure.

• Inform your healthcare provider of any changes in your health: If you experience any changes in your health or develop any new symptoms, be sure to inform your healthcare provider before your Krystexxa treatment. They may need to adjust your treatment plan accordingly.
  

MEET YOUR PAM

A dedicated Patient Access Manager (PAM) can help you navigate your insurance and support you through treatment at your discretion. All KRYSTEXXA support services are optional.

GO FOR A BLOOD TEST

Your doctor may check your baseline uric acid level. You’ll get rechecked a day or two before each IV treatment to ensure KRYSTEXXA is working as planned. You should stop oral urate-lowering therapy one week before your first treatment.

GET PRE-IV TREATMENT MEDICINE

Your doctor may prescribe steroids or antihistamines to help you better tolerate KRYSTEXXA. You can not stop treatment and then decide again later to begin once again as your body will have created antibodies and the treatment would be rendered ineffective.

RECEIVE YOUR FIRST TREATMENT

IV treatment is actually quite routine.

Check in

Start IV treatment

Wait about 2 hours

Check out

Drive yourself home!

Flatfoot in Kids

As parents, we often worry about our children, especially when it comes to their health. If you’ve noticed that your child appears to have flat feet, you’re probably wondering if it’s a cause for concern.

Let’s take a look at exactly what flat feet are, and how to treat flat feet in children.

What Are Flat Feet?

Flat feet is an umbrella term for a condition where the inside arch of the feet is visible seen to lower at times almost or touching the ground. Flat feet can also be known as fallen arches, pronated feet or ‘rolling in’. Various conditions can cause the feet to become flat and it’s critical to have proper diagnosis.

It’s important for patients to note though they might appear to be similar there is a difference between adult flat feet and pediatric flat feet.

A child’s foot arch develops over time, so most children at some point in their lives will have what appear to be flat feet. Usually the foot arch starts to develop once a child starts walking and running, and can develop over several years, up to around the age of 10 in some cases.

This means that you shouldn’t panic if your child is very young and seems to have flat feet. However, if you are concerned about their feet, don’t hesitate to consult Dr. Shirazi to put your mind at rest.

How To Treat Flat Feet In Children

As with any medical condition, treatment will vary from individual to individual. How to treat flat feet in children depends on a variety of factors – the age of the child, the severity of the flat feet, level of activity and presence of symptoms, are just a few of them.

No Treatment Needed

In many cases, children with flat feet will not need any treatment for the condition. Historically flat feet have been considered an undesirable disabling problem. This is no longer the case and clinical opinion has now changed.

Podiatrists now use a step by step approach to treatment. By making sure we do a thorough clinical examination and provide a correct diagnosis it may be the case that your child may not require treatment.

It’s always a good idea to speak to a pediatric podiatrist like Dr Shirazi, if you have any concerns though, as they can help put your mind at rest, even if it’s just to tell you that your child doesn’t need any treatment.

Keep An Eye On It

A podiatrist may recommend watching your child’s feet and monitor for any changes before making the decision to treat their flat feet.

Keep an eye out for any changes in the appearance of your child’s feet while standing or walking. Any changes to your child’s foot posture in general should be discussed with your pediatric foot and ankle specialist.

If there is a family history of flat feet, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the development of your child’s feet to pick up any issues as soon as you can.

Treatment Of Flat Feet In Children 

If your child has flat feet and it is causing them pain or restricting their mobility, it may be recommended that they receive treatment.

Treatment could be as simple as changing the style of footwear they wear or undertaking some simple postural exercises which could help to strengthen the foot and help to develop an arch naturally.

In a severe case, your podiatrist may recommend insoles or custom orthotics to help both your child’s feet and posture.

How We Treat Children’s Foot Problems

At Pasadena Orthopedics, we perform a gait analysis as well as static stance testing to determine the extent of the problem. These results are referred back to over time to track the progress your child is making with their foot development.

We also understand that, though ideal, custom orthotics for children can be expensive when their feet are constantly growing. That’s why we have special techniques, and also discounts in place when it comes to custom orthotics for under 18 years old. It shouldn't break the bank to treat our kids.