Orthotic devices fit into shoes, helping people with foot abnormalities stand and walk with proper posture. This prevents discomfort that can develop in the feet, legs, hips, and back. A center for Prosthetics & Orthotics in Columbus OH makes these devices in a custom fit for each individual. People can receive these customized orthotics through prescriptions from health care providers like orthopedic doctors, podiatrists, and chiropractors.
Materials and Design
Orthotics can be made of a variety of materials. They are often constructed of plastic foam, polypropylene, leather, and acrylic. After an examination of the feet and lower legs and an interview with the patient, the doctor decides which material and design will be most helpful for the patient.
Preventing a Sedentary Lifestyle
When people experience pain due to the permanent effects of foot injuries or abnormalities like flat feet, they tend to become more sedentary. A lack of physical activity is connected with weight gain and chronic disorders such as Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.
Customized shoe inserts from a supplier such as Prosthetics & Orthotics in Columbus OH reshape the feet while shoes are being worn, allowing for better musculoskeletal alignment and balance.
A Return to Activity
Older individuals are more at risk of fallen arches due to the aging process and years of wear and tear on feet, but many younger adults have foot problems too. After acquiring orthotics, people are happy to realize they don’t have to give up activities they were avoiding because of foot pain or discomfort related to foot problems.
They can take up running, softball or racquetball again. Even less intensive activities like bowling and badminton might have been avoided because the amount of time required for standing proved to be too much.
Continuing With Work
In addition, this equipment from an organization such as Capital Prosthetic & Orthotic Center Inc allows many people to continue working in jobs they enjoy. Many people working in healthcare, in manufacturing plants, and in many other fields must spend much of their time on their feet. They wouldn’t be able to keep doing this without the help of shoe inserts, a technology that seems so simple but is nevertheless very effective.
