Conditions
The orthotics you receive from River City Orthotics will be unique to your daily activates, body mechanics, condition, and the location of your injury. At River City Orthotics we custom-make orthotics for our patients for various symptoms and conditions. Below are some common ailments that can be treated with orthotics.
Lower Back Pain
If you have ankle problems or if your feet are misaligned, it could cause you to feel pain in your lower back. This foot imbalance results in an uneven distribution of weight as you move, putting strain to your back. When it comes to relieving your lower back pain, an effective treatment will focus on restoring balance and function from the ground up – starting with your feet. If your lower back pain is due to a misalignment of your feet, custom foot orthotics can be an effective treatment. While more often prescribed for foot pain and ankle pain, foot orthotics may also be prescribed for lower back pain. Custom foot orthotics can be easily placed into your shoes to realign your foot and ankle. Foot orthotics relieve back pain by correcting your foot and body alignment, taking strain off your back as you move more effectively.
If you are unsure of what is causing your lower back pain, give River City Orthotics a call. At your initial appointment, your pedorthist will determine whether foot orthotics are right for you. If you require treatment from a physiotherapist or chiropractor, your pedorthist will refer you to a specialist at our partnered clinic, Glenora Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Clinic.
Conditions:
Conditions commonly associated with lower back pain include plantar fasciitis, neuromas, tarsal tunnel syndrome, bunions, foot pronation, and foot supination.
Hip Pain
Depending on the cause of your hip pain, you may experience pain on the inside or outside of your hip joint, groin, buttock or thigh. The most effective treatment for hip pain involves restoring your balance so that your body is working more efficiently – from the ground up. Starting with your feet, wearing custom foot orthotics can help relieve pain caused by poor body mechanics. Functional orthotics will help to correct foot imbalances leading to an improved weight distribution. When your foot imbalances are corrected, your lower extremity will also be more properly aligned. Once your feet and legs are aligned and functioning properly, your pelvis will be centered and your weight will be balanced more evenly over your left and right sides.
If you are unsure of what is causing your hip pain, give River City Orthotics a call. At your initial appointment, your pedorthist will determine whether foot orthotics are right for you. If you require treatment from a physiotherapist or chiropractor, your pedorthist will refer you to a specialist at our partnered clinic, Glenora Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Clinic.
Conditions:
Conditions commonly associated with hip pain include arthritis, osteonecrosis, certain cancers, bursitis, hip fractures, hip labral tear, muscle or tendon strain, and tendinitis.
Knee Pain
If you experience pain, swelling, or stiffness of your knee joint, it could point to either a knee injury or an underlying condition such as arthritis. When it comes to treating your knee pain, an effective solution will focus on restoring balance and function from the ground up – starting with your feet. Custom foot orthotics can help reduce the pain and inflammation of your irritated knee joint. By providing additional support, stability, and shock-absorption, your custom orthotics will help balance out your weight and provide bracing as you move. Apart from orthotics, custom knee orthotics are also commonly prescribed for individuals with knee pain. At River City Orthotics, you can book your appointment for foot orthotics and a knee brace in one easy appointment.
If you are unsure of what is causing your knee pain, give River City Orthotics a call. At your initial appointment, your pedorthist will determine whether foot orthotics or a knee brace is right for you. If you require treatment from a physiotherapist or chiropractor, your pedorthist will refer you to a specialist at our partnered clinic, Glenora Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Clinic.
Conditions:
Common conditions associated with knee pain include osteoarthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis, dislocation, meniscus tear, torn ligament, bone tumors, sprains, strains, and overuse.
Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle (located deep in your buttock) compresses the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is a large nerve running from each side of your lower spine. From the lower spine, it connects to deep in your buttock and runs down the back of the thigh, extending as far as your feet. Your piriformis muscle is important for stabilizing your hip joint and helping to raise and rotate your thigh away from your body as you move. When your piriformis muscle spams and irritates your sciatic nerve, it can cause piriformis syndrome. Symptoms of piriformis syndrome include pain, numbness, and tingling on the backside of your leg that radiates to your foot. Common causes of piriformis syndrome include trauma to the area, muscle spasms, as well as tightening, bleeding, or swelling of the piriformis muscle. Trauma to the piriformis muscle can result from prolonged, repetitive activity such as long-distance running. Prolonged sitting can also lead to trauma to the piriformis muscle, contributing to the development of piriformis syndrome.
Treatment
Treatment options for piriformis syndrome includes foot orthotics, physical therapy, ice packs, heat packs, exercise therapy, and in some cases surgery. Interested to learn how foot orthotics can help with piriformis syndrome? Book your appointment with River City Orthotics today.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
Iliotibial band syndrome, otherwise called IT band syndrome, occurs when your iliotibial band becomes tight and rubs against your outer thighbone, causing pain. Your iliotibial band is a band of connective tissue that extends from your hip to your outer knee. The first sign of iliotibial band syndrome is typically a mild pain in the knee that sharpens over time. Pain caused by iliotibial band syndrome is usually most severe when the knee is bent at a 30-degree angle. Other symptoms of iliotibial band syndrome include sharp pain or tenderness in the outer knee, tightness in the outer thigh, decreased flexibility in the hip and knee, and pain while biking or running. Long distance runners, cyclists, and individuals who do many squats in a row are more likely to develop iliotibial band syndrome. Iliotibial band syndrome is commonly caused by improper form when working out, poor muscle flexibility, and mechanical imbalances (such as a leg-length discrepancy). Engaging in repetitive, vigorous activities (such as cycling or running) also puts you at an increased risk for developing iliotibial band syndrome.
Treatment
Treatment options for iliotibial band syndrome include foot orthotics, physical therapy, massage therapy, stretching, and rest combined with ice compression and elevation (RICE). Interested to know how foot orthotics can help with IT band syndrome? Book your appointment with River City Orthotics today.
Runner’s Knee
Runner’s knee is more clinically called patellofemoral pain syndrome. These terms are both used as a broad term that refers to several different knee problems. Though you do not have to be a runner to get runner’s knee, it is a common condition among joggers and runners alike. Running involves movements that load the knee on a flexed position. As you run, the motion of placing your foot down to leap forward can cause pain and lead to runner’s knee. Common causes of runner’s knee (aside from running) include overuse, a bad fall, arthritis, a fractured kneecap, a misaligned kneecap, feet problems (such as flat feet), weak or unbalanced thigh muscles, and deteriorating cartilage on the under-surface of your kneecap. Symptoms of runner’s knee include a feeling of swelling, popping, or grinding in the knee. If you have runner’s knee you may feel pain when engaging in activities that involve shifting weight as you move your knee such as during walking, climbing the stairs, squatting, kneeling, running, or moving from a sitting to a standing position.
Treatment
Treatment options for runner’s knee include foot orthotics, physical therapy, rest, ice packs, knee braces, elevating your leg, and stretching. Want to know how foot orthotics can help with runner’s knee? Book your appointment with River City Orthotics today.
Bunions
Bunions, also called hallux valgus, are bony bumps that may appear on the base of a toe, causing a misalignment of the feet. Though they most often impact the base of the big toe, other toes (such as the little toe) can also develop bunions. A bunion results when one toe pushes up too closely to a neighboring toe, causing a toe joint to protrude. Though more common in adults, bunions can appear during adolescence and in youth. In young people, bunions are more common among girls between the ages of 10 and 15. Common causes of bunions include having a low arch, having a hypermobile big toe, progressive bone disorders, foot injuries, arthritis, and conditions impacting both muscles and nerves (such as polio). Symptoms of bunions include pain, soreness, numbness, a burning sensation, or hardened skin under the foot. Other symptoms of the affected toe include swelling, movement restriction, and increased skin thickness at the base of the toe.
Treatment
Treatment options for bunions include wearing foot orthotics and properly fitted shoes. To help alleviate pain, footwear should be roomy, with minimum or no heels and good arch supports. Shoes that are tight, narrow, or heeled put extra pressure on the toes and so they should be avoided. Want to know how foot orthotics can help with bunions? Book your appointment with River City Orthotics today.
Calluses and Corns
Calluses and corns appear on the feet and toes as layers of hard, thick, and painful skin. Calluses and corns develop as a response to pressure and friction. Though corns and calluses most often develop on the feet and toes, they can occur in the hands, fingers, and knees. Symptoms of corns and calluses include rough or thick skin, a hardened and raised bump, tenderness or pain under your skin, and skin that appears flaky, dry or waxy. Though similar, corns and calluses have a few differences in terms of appearance and associated symptoms. In appearance, corns are smaller, more often appear on the tops and sides of toes, and have a hard center surrounded by inflamed skin. Calluses, on the other hand, appear larger and are normally found on weight-bearing parts of your feet such as under the heels or balls of your feet. While corns are usually painful, calluses rarely cause any pain. Common causes of corns and calluses include wearing ill-fitted shoes and wearing no socks with your shoes. Having other foot conditions – such as a heel spur, hammertoe or bunions – may increase your risk of developing corns or calluses.
Treatment
If you are generally healthy, treatment options for corns and calluses include properly fitted shoes and foot orthotics. Individuals with diabetes or other conditions causing reduced blood flow to the feet may require further treatment as corns and calluses can lead to further complications. Interested to know how foot orthotics can help with calluses and corns? Book your appointment with River City Orthotics today.
Hammertoe
Hammertoe is a condition that causes the little toes to bend abnormally in the middle joints. Most often, hammertoes are caused by an imbalance in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that function to hold the toes straight. Wearing shoes can aggravate the condition by putting added pressure on the toe joints. If left untreated hammertoes will get progressively worse over time. Early treatment can help alleviate the symptoms of hammertoes and prevents exacerbation of the symptoms. Symptoms of hammertoes include pain or irritation in the toe joints when wearing shoes, corns and calluses, and inflammation, redness or a burning sensation. In more advanced cases of hammertoe, an individual may develop open sores. Common causes of hammertoe include wearing ill-fitted shoes, trauma to the toes (such as from a sports injury), or imbalance of the toe muscles. Hammertoes occur more often in older adults and women. Other risk factors include diabetes, arthritis, and having a second toe that is longer than your big toe.
Treatment
Treatment options for hammertoes include foot orthotics, proper footwear, and toe exercises (such as picking up marbles with your toes). Want to know how foot orthotics can help with hammertoes? Book your appointment with River City Orthotics today.
Diabetic Foot
Diabetic foot syndrome, or simply diabetic foot, is the result of damage to the nerves and blood vessels of the feet and legs, occurring in individuals with diabetes. If you have diabetes, the high amount of blood glucose in your system can lead to complications. Over time, your nerves or blood vessels may become damaged, leading to issues with blood circulation. When the nerves in your legs and feet become damaged, they can cause your feet to become numb or to lose sensation. The danger of this is that you might not feel if you have a cut, blister, sore or ulcer. Loss of blood flow to your feet also means that your feet may be lacking enough blood and oxygen to heal following injury. If you do get an infection in your foot it will take longer to heal. In more serious cases such complications can lead to amputation. In most cases, however, you can avoid or reverse foot problems by following preventative measures to treat your condition. Symptoms of diabetic foot include numbness, tingling, loss of sensation, skin discoloration or redness, skin temperature changes, wounds that don’t drain or heal, and a deformed foot appearance. More serious symptoms may point to an infection or ulcer. Signs of an infection or ulcer include fever, chills, uncontrollable blood sugar, shaking, shock, and redness of your feet. If you are experiencing any of the signs of an infection due to diabetic foot, you should seek emergency treatment.
Treatment
Treatment for diabetic foot includes foot orthotics, properly fitted shoes, keeping your wounds clean and dressed, close observation of gangrenous toes, wearing a cast boot or total contact cast, and – in more serious cases – surgery. If you are experiencing symptoms of diabetic foot, it is important that you seek a healthcare professional for proper treatment. Interested to know how foot orthotics can help with diabetic foot? Book your appointment with River City Orthotics today.
Arthritic Foot
Arthritic foot, otherwise called osteoarthritis, is a condition caused by an inflammation of the bones in your feet leading to swelling, pain, and deformity of your feet. More specifically, arthritis is the inflammation of one or more of your joints that leads to pain or stiffness. Though it can happen in any joint of the body, it is most common in small foot and ankle joints. As people age, the inflammation of the joints causes cartilaginous tissues to break down, leading to the development of arthritic foot. Joints of the heel bone, inner mid-foot bone, and outer mid-foot bone are commonly impacted by arthritic foot. Other joints commonly impacted include the joint of the big toe and foot bone as well as the joint connecting the shinbone to the ankle. Common symptoms of arthritic foot include tenderness or pain in the foot, joint stiffness or swelling, and a reduced ability to move or bear weight on your feet. With treatment and care, individuals with arthritic foot can relieve their pain and lead an active lifestyle.
Treatment
Treatment for arthritic foot includes foot orthotics, properly fitted shoes, physical therapy, assistive devices (such as a cane or walker), and – in some cases – surgery. Interested to know how foot orthotics can help with arthritic foot? Book your appointment with River City Orthotics today.
Ankle Pain
When ankle pain occurs, your feet should be analyzed by a pedorthist to find out if you have a foot misalignment. A foot misalignment can cause the ankle to protrude either outward or inward causing instability and lack of balance. If you are experiencing ankle pain or ankle instability, an effective solution will focus on restoring balance and function from the ground up – starting with your feet. When your feet are misaligned, your body weight isn’t properly distributed as you move, and this can put added strain on your ankles. Foot orthotics can help reduce strain on the soft tissues of the ankle by correcting the misalignment. Another way foot orthotics can help is by enhancing muscular strength for improved balance.
If you are unsure of what is causing your ankle pain, give River City Orthotics a call. At your initial appointment, your pedorthist will determine whether foot orthotics are right for you. If you require treatment from a physiotherapist or chiropractor, your pedorthist will refer you to a specialist at our partnered clinic, Glenora Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Clinic.
Conditions:
Conditions commonly associated with ankle pain include ankle sprains, Achilles tendinitis, broken ankle, bursitis, osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, and stress fractures.
Foot Pain
Foot pain often presents itself as either a burning pain, a dull pain, or as a numb and tingling sensation. If you are experiencing foot pain, it is the result of one of three things: injury, overuse, or an associated condition (such as diabetes or arthritis). Conditions impacting the feet cause inflammation to the bones, ligaments, or tendons of your foot, resulting in foot pain. To determine the root cause of your foot pain, your pedorthist will perform gait analysis and will ask you questions about the type of foot pain. If you are experiencing foot pain, an effective solution will focus on redistributing weight more evenly across your feet. Custom foot orthotics can help to redistribute your weight and take pressure off sore spots on your feet. Wearing foot orthotics offers added benefits of stability and pain relief.
If you are unsure of what is causing your foot pain, give River City Orthotics a call. At your initial appointment, your pedorthist will determine whether foot orthotics are right for you. If you require treatment from a physiotherapist or chiropractor, your pedorthist will refer you to a specialist at our partnered clinic, Glenora Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Clinic.
Conditions:
Common conditions associated with foot pain include Achillies tendinitis, bone spurs, bunions, corns, diabetic foot, arthritic foot, flat feet, hammertoe, metatarsalgia, Morton’s neuroma, plantar fasciitis, and tendinitis.
Sacroiliac Syndrome
Sacroiliac syndrome is the inflammation or mechanical dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint. Your sacroiliac joints sit on either side of your spine, located on your lower back. The main function of your sacroiliac joint is to carry your upper body weight when you stand, walk, or shift weight in your legs. If one or both of your sacroiliac joints becomes inflamed, you may develop a condition called sacroiliac syndrome or sacroiliitis. Symptoms of sacroiliac syndrome include pain in your lower back or buttocks that may radiate down one or both of your legs. Increased pain after prolonged standing or sitting is another common symptom of sacroiliac syndrome. Common causes of sacroiliac syndrome include traumatic injury (such as a motor vehicle accident or bad fall), arthritis, infection, or pregnancy.
Treatment
Treatment options for sacroiliac syndrome includes physical therapy, exercise therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, ice packs, and foot orthotics. Want to know how foot orthotics can help with sacroiliac syndrome? Book your appointment with River City Orthotics today.
Shin Splints
Shin splints cause a sensation of radiating pain along the inner edge of the shinbone. When you put repeated stress on your shinbone – such as when running or working out – it can lead to inflammation of your shinbone and the connective tissues surrounding it. If your shinbone and surrounding connective tissue has been inflamed, then you may be suffering from shin splints. Usually caused by repeated trauma to the connective tissue surrounding the shinbone, shin splints occur more frequently in athletes and individuals who are highly physically active. Causes of shin splints include flat feet, wearing ill-fitted shoes, having weak ankles, hips, or core muscles, and other biomechanical issues. Exercising without warm-up and cool-down stretches can also lead to developing shin splints. Common symptoms of shin splints include a dull pain along the shinbone, muscle pain, soreness or tenderness along the lower leg, feet numbness or weakness, mild lower leg swelling, and pain along the shinbone felt with movement of the lower leg. Pain caused by shin splints normally gets worse with exercises.
Treatment
Treatment options for shin splints include foot orthotics, physical therapy, rest, ice packs, using a foam roller to massage your shins, and elevating your leg and stretching. Interested to learn how foot orthotics can help with shin splints? Book your appointment with River City Orthotics today.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis occurs when your Achilles tendon (located at the back of your ankle) becomes irritated. Your Achilles tendon is the connective tissue linking your calf muscles to your heel bone. When functioning properly, the Achilles tendon allows for the top of the foot to point away from your leg. Achilles tendonitis is most commonly caused by increasing the intensity or duration at which you exercise. Athletes and middle-aged adults who exercise infrequently (or only on weekends) have an increased risk of developing Achilles tendonitis. The first sign of Achilles tendonitis is often a mild pain in the back of the leg above the heel following physical activity. Pain is usually more severe following prolonged movement and activity such as running. In the morning, you may experience tenderness or stiffness near your heel that improves with mild movements of your foot and ankle.
Treatment
Treatment options for Achilles tendonitis include foot orthotics, physical therapy, rest, ice packs, wearing a brace, elevating your foot, and stretching. Want to know how foot orthotics can help with Achilles tendonitis? Book your appointment with River City Orthotics today.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is caused by inflammation of a thick band of tissue along the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel bone to your toes. Plantar fasciitis often presents itself as a stabbing pain that is worst in the morning and gradually improves throughout the day. Pain caused by plantar fasciitis is usually aggravated by standing for long periods of time or following getting up from a sitting position. Plantar fasciitis is more common in adults aged 40-60. Engaging in long-distance running or jumping exercises such a during ballet can put added strain on your heel, increasing your risk of developing plantar fasciitis. Other risk factors of plantar fasciitis include poor foot mechanics (such as flat feet), obesity, and working on a job requiring you to spend long hours on your feet. Commonly plantar fasciitis causes a stabbing pain sensation in the bottom of your foot near your heel. Pain caused by plantar fasciitis is usually worse in the morning and improves after taking a few steps. Though pain usually subsides during exercise, it will usually get worse afterward.
Treatment
Treatment options for plantar fasciitis include foot orthotics, physical therapy, and wearing a splint that stretches your calf and the arch of your foot at nighttime. Interested to learn how foot orthotics can help with plantar fasciitis? Book your appointment with River City Orthotics today.
Heel Spurs
A heel spur is a calcium deposit that forms a small bony protrusion on the bottom of the heel bone. Heel spurs can extend beyond the heel bone by as much as half an inch. Though heel spurs rarely cause symptoms, they can cause intermittent or chronic pain in the heel. Pain from heel spurs normally worsens with walking, jogging or running. The sensation of pain caused by heel spurs may feel like pins or a knife is poking into your heel when you first wake up. As you begin to walk around, the pain generally becomes a dull ache. Common causes of heel spurs include gait abnormalities, frequently running or jogging, ill-fitted shoes, and obesity. Risk factors that may increase your chance of developing heel spurs include increased age, diabetes, flat feet, and high arches. Working long hours on your feet and engaging in a frequent burst of physical activity for a short period of time may also increase your risk of developing heel spurs.
Treatment
Treatment options for heel spurs include foot orthotics, properly fitted shoes, physical therapy, wearing splints at night, and taping to rest stressed muscles. Interested to learn how foot orthotics can help with heel spurs? Book your appointment with River City Orthotics today.
Morton’s Neuroma
Morton’s neuroma is a foot condition that impacts one of the nerves between the toes. This painful condition develops when a nerve in the foot leading to the toes becomes irritated and causes the surrounding tissue to thicken. This causes pain in the ball of the foot near the toes. Though Morton’s neuroma normally impacts the nerve between your third and fourth toes, it can sometimes impact the second and third toes. Symptoms of Morton’s neuroma include a feeling like you are standing on a pebble, a burning pain in the ball of your foot that may radiate to your toes, and a tingly or numb sensation in your toes. Morton’s neuroma is caused by irritation, pressure or injury to one of the nerves of the feet leading to the toes. Risk factors for developing Morton’s neuroma include wearing heels, playing high-impact sports, wearing tight shoes while exercising, and having foot deformities (such as bunions, hammertoes, and either high or low arches).
Treatment
Treatment options for Morton’s neuroma include foot orthotics, proper footwear, physical therapy, strengthening exercises, and massaging the ball of your foot. Want to know how foot orthotics can help with Morton’s neuroma? Book your appointment with River City Orthotics today.
Metatarsalgia
Metatarsalgia is the most common culprit behind pain in the ball of the foot. Metatarsalgia is caused by a misalignment of the metatarsal bones in your foot. Your metatarsal bones are the long bones in your feet designed to distribute your weight evenly as you move on your feet. When these bones are misaligned, your weight is no longer distributed correctly, leading to pain in the bottom of your foot. Metatarsalgia occurs more frequently in athletes who engage in high-impact sports such as hockey, rugby, or football. Athletes who have an inflammatory condition (such as bursitis) have a higher risk of developing metatarsalgia. Common causes of metatarsalgia include high activity levels, poor foot mechanics, hammertoe, high arches, tight Achilles tendons, excessive pronation, and wearing ill-fitted shoes. Symptoms of metatarsalgia include pain in the ball of the foot, forefoot and midfoot. Typically, pain associated with metatarsalgia begins gradually and worsens over the course of the next few months.
Treatment
Treatment options for metatarsalgia include foot orthotics, properly fitted shoes, physical therapy, ice packs, and rehabilitation exercises. Interested to know how foot orthotics can help with metatarsalgia? Book your appointment with River City Orthotics today.
