How Custom Orthotics Help Arthritis in the Foot and Ankle

Arthritis in the foot and ankle is a common condition that can cause pain, stiffness, and difficulty walking. Because these joints bear the body’s weight with every step, even mild arthritis can have a major impact on mobility and comfort. Fortunately, custom orthotics—specialized shoe inserts made specifically for your feet—can play an important role in managing arthritis symptoms and improving daily function.

What Are Custom Orthotics?

Custom orthotics are individually designed shoe inserts created to support and align your feet based on your unique structure and gait. Unlike over-the-counter insoles, which provide generic cushioning, custom orthotics are prescribed by a podiatrist or other healthcare provider after a detailed assessment, which may include foot impressions, digital scans, or gait analysis.

These devices are crafted from materials such as semi-rigid plastics, foams, or carbon fiber and are designed to:

• Support the arches of the feet

• Distribute weight evenly across the foot

• Correct abnormal motion or alignment

• Reduce pressure on painful areas

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How Arthritis Affects the Foot and Ankle

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints that leads to cartilage breakdown and joint stiffness. In the foot and ankle, this can occur in several areas, including:

• The ankle joint (tibiotalar joint)

• The midfoot joints

• The big toe joint (first metatarsophalangeal joint)

When these joints become arthritic, they lose their ability to move smoothly. This can cause pain during walking, changes in gait, swelling, and sometimes deformity or instability.

How Custom Orthotics Help with Arthritis

Custom orthotics can be a non-invasive, conservative treatment that relieves pain and improves mobility for people with arthritis in the foot or ankle. They work in several ways:

1. Reducing Joint Stress

By redistributing pressure away from arthritic joints, orthotics help reduce pain and inflammation. This allows the foot to function more comfortably, especially during standing and walking.

2. Improving Alignment and Stability

Arthritis can alter the way the foot and ankle move. Custom orthotics help correct alignment problems—such as overpronation (rolling in) or supination (rolling out)—which can reduce strain on affected joints.

3. Absorbing Shock

High-quality materials used in custom orthotics cushion the foot and absorb shock, decreasing the impact on arthritic joints with every step.

4. Slowing Progression of Deformities

In conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, deformities of the foot can worsen over time. Orthotics can help slow or prevent further structural changes by supporting proper joint positioning.

5. Enhancing Mobility and Function

By improving comfort and gait efficiency, custom orthotics can make daily activities—like walking or standing—less painful, helping patients stay active and maintain their quality of life.

Research and Clinical Evidence

Several studies have shown that custom foot orthoses can significantly reduce pain and improve function in patients with foot and ankle arthritis. For example:

• Research in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research found that custom orthotics reduced pain and improved physical function in people with rheumatoid arthritis affecting the feet.

• Studies on ankle osteoarthritis have shown that orthotic devices can improve walking mechanics and reduce abnormal loading on the joint.

  
  

Conclusion

Custom orthotics are a valuable tool in the management of arthritis in the foot and ankle. By providing individualized support, reducing stress on painful joints, and improving alignment, they can greatly enhance comfort and mobility. While they don’t cure arthritis, they can make a meaningful difference in daily life and help slow the condition’s progression.

If you experience foot or ankle pain from arthritis, reach out to schedule an appointment to get you on the right track of treatment. A custom orthotic may be one of the simplest and most effective steps toward walking comfortably again.