Are Hammertoes and Bunions Connected?
Two of the most common foot deformities — hammertoes and bunions — often develop in the same foot, but not always. Here’s a look at how these foot issues can be connected and what we can do to help.
Custom Orthotics Versus OTC Options
You have a foot issue that’s making mobility uncomfortable, if not downright painful. And the effect that this can have on your life is surprisingly large. You certainly become more aware of just how important healthy feet are in helping you make your way through the world.
You want to support your feet from the ground up, and you’re trying to figure out whether over-the-counter (OTC) inserts will do the trick or whether custom orthotics are the way to go.
To help you make an informed decision, our team of foot health experts here at Aesthetic Podiatry & Sports Medicine Center, including Dr. Mariola Rivera and Dr. Lisa Shah, pulled together some key points when you’re considering orthotics and why custom ones are usually better.
Feet are complex and no two are exactly alike
To call your feet complex is an understatement, as each of them contains:
- 26 bones
- 33 joints
- More than 100 tendons and ligaments
Combined, your feet house about a quarter of the total bones in your body, which is pretty amazing considering how small feet are in comparison to the rest of your body.
Given the complexity of feet, it should come as no surprise that no two feet are exactly alike — not even your own two feet. So, the first reason we prefer that patients use custom orthotics is because they’re designed for your feet alone.
When you get custom orthotics, we take molds of your feet that we send to the manufacturer, who in turn creates inserts that fit your feet exactly.
But OTC shoe inserts are one-size-fits-all, which isn’t so great when it comes to complex feet.
Addressing specific issues with custom orthotics
Another reason we love custom orthotics is that we can use them for a wide range of biomechanical foot issues, such as:
- Flat feet and fallen arches, which affect between 20% and 37% of the population
- Bunions
- Hammertoes
- Bursitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Neuroma
- Diabetic foot ulcers
We can design custom orthotics in a way that addresses your specific foot issues.
Custom orthotics last longer
Custom orthotics are made from tough materials that hold up to the stresses of walking and moving rather than OTC inserts, which are made from soft materials that don’t hold up as well.
Comfort matters
If your feet are in pain, the last thing you want to do is exacerbate the problem with ill-fitting OTC shoe inserts. Since custom orthotics are designed specifically for your feet, they provide the correct support.
We do want to say that if you’re simply looking for a little extra cushioning inside your shoes, OTC inserts are fine. Flat shoes with thin soles can be tough on feet, and adding an OTC insert can create more space between your feet and the hard ground.
If you want to learn more about custom orthotics and whether they’re the right choice for your feet, we’re happy to sit down with you to discuss your goals and options.
To get that ball rolling, we invite you to contact us online or by phone at one of our offices in Purchase or White Plains, New York, to set up an appointment.
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