Orthotics and foot biomechanics
By Patricia Nugent
The average person will take 216,262,500 steps in their lifetime. None of them would be possible without your feet. This underappreciated body part is a marvel of engineering, perfectly designed with interconnecting bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments to offer shock absorption and support to the rest of your body.
The slightest shift in biomechanics can change everything. Since your entire skeleton depends on its foundation, feet that are off-balance or out of alignment can cause rippled effects extending upward to the ankles, knees, hips, back, shoulders and neck.
Dr. Danielle Shaper, founder of Finesse Footcare in Lyndhurst, notes that oftentimes people are treating issues that are actually caused by the feet.
“Catching problems early and correcting them can prevent a host of other issues,” she says. “Orthotics, which are custom-made shoe inserts, can correct a patient’s gait, posture and much more. They can optimize the distribution of weight on the feet. And specifically for diabetics, who often suffer from corns and calluses, orthotics can reduce pressure placed on those areas.”
The inserts can fit in any footwear, from athletic shoes to business casual shoes, dress shoes, even ski boots and skates. Regardless of age or stage in life, anyone can see benefits from wearing orthotics.
Custom orthotics have become an integral part of Dr. Shaper’s practice, and her own lifestyle, as she wears orthotics to perfect her gait. She cautions patients that there is a big difference between custom orthotics and one-size-fits-all shoe inserts you would buy at a drugstore.
“We work with an orthotics company called Forward Motion 3d for the most precise product,” she says. “After doing a gait analysis and digital X-ray, we digitally cast a patient’s foot for the perfect fit.”
If you’re experiencing ongoing foot pain from heel spurs, overpronation, flat arches or high arches, arthritis, plantar fasciitis or back pain, custom orthotics might be the best answer for you.
“When it comes to foot pain, I feel that it should never be ignored, and no one should have to needlessly suffer,” she says.
Finesse Footcare is located at 5035 Mayfield Road, Suite 202, in Lyndhurst. Financing options are available. Call 216-382-8070 or visit FinesseFootcare.com for more information.