For many people with knee pain, orthotics can provide much-needed relief. This is why exploring the benefits of orthotics for knee pain relief should be considered. (In previous article we consider orthotics for plantar fasciitis you can read here)
Orthotics are arch supports that change the position of your foot to take strain off other parts of your body.
Learn more about how orthotics can help ease your knee pain and if they’re right for you.
What Are Orthotics?
Orthotics are special shoe inserts or custom-fitted arch supports which can help to redistribute weight and reduce stress on your knees. By changing the position of your foot, orthotics can provide a more comfortable alignment. It’s important to note that while orthotics may not restore full range of motion, they can provide significant relief from knee pain caused by misalignments in the feet or ankles.
There are many types of orthotics available to choose from and they can offer benefits of for knee pain relief. Over-the-counter orthotics are typically affordable, but may only provide basic pressure relief. Custom orthotics are more expensive, but they’re designed specifically to improve your individual biomechanics and gait. They’re usually made with soft materials such as foam rubber or leather for added comfort. Properly fitting orthotics can also help reduce wear and tear on the knee joint, which could decrease the risk of developing knee problems in the future.
What are the Best Insoles for Knee Pain
If you’re considering orthotics for your knee pain, it’s important to get the right type for your specific needs. You should visit a qualified medical professional who can take a look at your gait and assess what type of orthotics would be most beneficial. They may also make recommendations about lifestyle adjustments or exercises you can do to help manage your discomfort. Your doctor may even suggest custom orthotics if they think that would be more appropriate for your condition.
What to Expect from Orthotics
Orthotics are designed to make your gait more efficient, providing a range of benefits. These may include reduced knee pain and joint discomfort, enhanced stability and posture, improved balance, and increased shock absorption while walking or running. Although orthotics cannot cure existing knee problems or prevent them from occurring in the future, they can provide some much-needed relief from the pain of existing conditions.
Tips for Using Orthotics Effectively
To get the maximum benefit from your orthotics, it is important to use them correctly. Make sure that you are wearing shoes that provide enough arch support for the orthotic to work effectively. You may also need to make some adjustments such as adding more cushioning or altering the device to fit your foot better. It is best to consult with a healthcare professional before making any major changes to your orthotics.
What to Expect at Summit when Exploring the Benefits of Orthotics for Knee Pain Relief
As this article explores, when you are considering orthotics for knee pain relief we assess your gait using force plate analysis.
The RS Footscan is advanced technology in measuring pressure and force distribution accurately at high speed and high resolution. The data collected is very sensitive to change, providing a clear clinical picture and objective measure of an individual’s static standing balance through measurement of the level of postural sway, weight distribution through the feet and location of the centre of gravity.
Furthermore the Footscan system use small sensors that are 5mm x 7mm, these allow accurate analysis of pressure deviations under all the regions of the foot. This is necessary to get a clear picture of foot mechanics.
Your foot is in contact with the ground for about 0.8 of a second when walking and about 0.25 seconds when running. This is too difficult for even the most experienced practitioner to see with the naked eye. Therefore as you walk across the RS Scan footscan® pressure plate. It will scan your foot at 500hz using 4096 pressure sensors. This generates quantifiable static and dynamic measurements providing your physiotherapist with comprehensive data regarding the pressure distribution of your feet.
The advanced software allows automatic division of the foot into specific regions. This allows force and pressure distribution within these areas to be analysed and associated with certain foot mechanics and functions.
Force and pressure distribution in all regions of the foot can be analysed in graphical format allowing insight into force and pressure in both localised and general areas under the foot during stance phase and gait.
Benefits of Custom Orthotics
At Summit Physio we offer Phits Orthotics. Phits is the world’s first high-tech 3D printed insole, specifically designed based on your dynamic gait analysis using Footscan®. Optimal efficiency, superior stability and extreme durability.
You can book in at www.summitphysio.co.uk
