How can custom orthotics help treat plantar fasciitis?

Our Idaho Podiatrists Provide Plantar Fasciitis Pain Relief Through Custom Orthotics

The plantar fascia ligament connects your toes to your heel. It plays a crucial role in supporting your foot's arch and absorbing shock during walking and running. When this thick tissue becomes damaged or inflamed, many people first try over-the-counter insoles before seeking professional help. While these products offer temporary cushioning, they don't address the underlying biomechanical issues that contribute to heel pain.

What we prefer to do at Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle is conduct a thorough assessment of your condition, foot structure, gait pattern, and lifestyle. Then, the podiatrists in our Caldwell and Meridian offices create custom orthotics designed specifically for your needs. These prescription devices provide targeted support that helps reduce inflammation and prevent future flare-ups. Here’s how this non-surgical approach may help you.

How Custom Orthotics Target Plantar Fasciitis Pain

Plantar fasciitis develops due to increased tension on the ligament. When the fascia loses some of its elasticity or resilience, it becomes irritated and inflamed.

Most people notice pain first thing in the morning, but discomfort can last throughout the day as the tension builds with routine activities.  

Custom orthotics address plantar fasciitis and heel pain by providing precise support exactly where your foot needs it. These medical devices redistribute pressure away from your heel while supporting your arch, reducing the strain on the ligament. Unlike generic insoles, this personalized approach helps correct biomechanical issues that may have contributed to your plantar fasciitis in the first place, such as high arches, athletic overtraining, excessive standing, an injury, or overpronation.

The rigid or semi-rigid structure of functional orthotics limits excessive stretching of the plantar fascia ligament during walking and standing. This controlled motion allows the inflamed tissue time to heal while preventing future strain.

However, it’s important to be patient, as plantar fasciitis recovery depends on: 

• The severity of inflammation
• Your activity level 
• Footwear choices
• Overall health and weight

Our goal is for you to experience significant improvement within a few weeks using custom orthotics, and continue to monitor your progress along the way. However, the full therapeutic benefit may take several months as the plantar fascia fully heals. Athletes such as cross-country or marathon runners may require a longer course of treatment.

Advantages of a Professional Podiatric Orthotic Fitting at Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle

One of the primary benefits of custom orthotics is they’re a non-invasive treatment. During your first examination in one of our two Treasure Valley podiatry offices, we take detailed measurements and impressions of your feet to ensure your custom orthotics provide optimal relief. Watch as we demonstrate the 3-D imaging scan process. 

These precise measurements allow us to create devices that:

• Support your arch height properly.
• Cushion your heel effectively.
• Control excessive foot motion.
• Improve overall foot alignment.
• Prevent symptom recurrence.  

The scans are then sent to a specialized lab. Your functional custom orthotics are molded from plastic or graphite and ready for you in about two weeks. If necessary, we’ll design a pair to fit in your primary shoes or provide additional inserts for various types of footwear.  

Many of our patients also report that resolving plantar fasciitis pain with custom orthotics also alleviates knee, hip, and back pain. Known as the kinetic chain, this principle explains how everything is connected—and why our Idaho podiatrists believe that healthy feet improve your overall wellness. 

Finally, another common question we often answer is “Why shouldn’t I simply go to a retail store and buy orthotics there?” Two primary reasons are: 

1. When you partner with our foot and ankle specialists, you’re not just getting an over-the-counter product. You’re receiving a qualified assessment of your health, activity, lifestyle, and the cause of your plantar fasciitis. We’re working together to address and treat the problem. 
2. Instead of buying temporary relief with off-the-shelf inserts, your insurance may pay for our prescription long-term solutions—in some cases, reducing your costs by half.

Plantar fasciitis can often be cured with the proper treatment. Call us today to learn how we can help you.