Custom Orthotics, Biomechanics, and You: Step into Better Health with 3D Scanning

Our feet are the foundation of our bodies, and proper biomechanics – the way our muscles, bones, and joints work together – are essential for pain-free movement and overall well-being.

Custom orthotics can play a vital role in optimizing your biomechanics, and advancements in 3D scanning technology are revolutionizing the way these supportive devices are created. In this post, Kentlands Foot & Ankle Center explains how new tech is providing orthotics that are better than ever for all kinds of issues, so read on to learn more!

Understanding Biomechanics

When your feet don’t function optimally, it can throw off your entire body’s alignment. This can lead to a variety of issues, including:

• Foot Pain: Plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, bunions, and metatarsalgia.
• Knee Pain: Misalignment leading to patellofemoral pain syndrome or IT band syndrome.
• Hip and Back Pain: Caused by altered gait and posture.
• Balance Problems: Increased risk of falls, especially in older adults.
• Sports Injuries: Stress fractures, shin splints, and Achilles tendonitis.

Custom Orthotics: Tailored Support for Your Unique Needs

Unlike over-the-counter inserts, custom orthotics are specifically designed to address your individual foot structure and biomechanical imbalances. They provide targeted support and cushioning, helping to:

• Improve Weight Distribution: Evenly distribute pressure across your feet, reducing stress on specific areas.
• Enhance Balance and Stability: Provide a stable base of support, improving balance and reducing the risk of falls.
• Correct Gait Abnormalities: Guide your feet into a more natural and efficient gait pattern.
• Prevent and Aid Recovery from Sports Injuries: Offer shock absorption and support to reduce strain on joints and soft tissues.

The 3D Advantage: Precision and Personalization

Traditional methods of creating orthotics, like plaster casting, can be messy and imprecise. 3D scanners, on the other hand, can capture a highly accurate digital model of your feet in seconds, providing a detailed blueprint for crafting truly customized orthotics.

• Superior Accuracy: 3D scans capture the intricate contours of your feet with unparalleled precision.
• Dynamic Assessment: Some advanced scanners can even analyze your gait while you walk or run, providing a dynamic assessment of your foot function.
• Faster Turnaround: Digital models can be instantly sent to the lab, speeding up the fabrication process.

The result? A pair of custom orthotics that fit your feet like a glove, providing optimal support and comfort in one.

Interested in learning more? We’re always happy to help! Schedule a comprehensive foot examination with Kentlands Foot & Ankle Center podiatrist Dr. Jon M. Sherman. To make your appointment, please call our office at 301-825-9697.

5 Common Foot and Ankle Injury Myths in Sports

From little league to professional sports, foot and ankle injuries are some of the most common among athletes. And unfortunately, many misconceptions and myths surround these issues, which can hinder recovery.

In this post, we will debunk these myths to help athletes better address their foot and ankle troubles.

Myth 1: All Ankle Sprains Are the Same.

Fact: Ankle sprains vary in severity, ranging from mild to severe. While most ankle sprains involve the ligaments on the outside of the ankle, some can also affect the ligaments on the inside. That’s why you should seek a medical evaluation to determine the extent of the injury.

Myth 2: You’re Right, Coach. I’ll Rub Some Dirt on It.

Fact: Continuing to play with pain can worsen an injury and delay recovery. If you experience pain in your foot or ankle, it’s important to rest and seek medical attention. Overuse injuries and stress fractures are common for athletes who are too stubborn to stop.

Myth 3: Rest Or Surgery. There’s No In Between.

Fact: While rest is often recommended for minor injuries and surgery is sometimes required for season-ending injuries, there lies a full spectrum of intervention between these two extremes:

1. Physical therapy: Exercises to strengthen the surrounding muscles and improve stability.
2. Corticosteroid injections: These injections can help reduce inflammation and pain in the affected joint.
3. Anti-inflammatory medications: Over-the-counter or prescription medications can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.
4. Orthotics: Custom orthotics may be necessary to address underlying foot mechanics.

Myth 4: All Foot Pain is Caused by Plantar Fasciitis.

Fact: While plantar fasciitis is a common cause of foot pain in athletes, it’s not the only possibility. Other conditions, such as Achilles tendonitis, turf toe, neuromas, and others listed above, can cause pain and limit performance.

Myth 5: Once an Injury Heals, You’re Good to Go.

Fact: Even after an injury heals, it’s important to continue rehabilitation exercises to prevent re-injury. Strengthening the surrounding muscles and improving flexibility can help enhance stability and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Want to start taking your foot and ankle health seriously? We’re happy to help! Schedule a comprehensive foot examination with Kentlands Foot and Ankle Center podiatrist Dr. Jon M. Sherman. To book your appointment, please call our office at 301-825-9697.

For Foot and Ankle Pain, Tailored Treatments Offer the Best of Both Worlds

Foot pain can sideline even the most active individuals, but before you resign yourself to chronic discomfort, consider the wide variety of treatments available from your local podiatrist. With options ranging from the conservative to the innovative and everything in between, a DPM can restore balance and mobility while managing pain.

The key is finding the right approach for your specific needs! For this blog, the team at Kentland’s Foot and Ankle Center wants to keep you posted on a few of the most effective ones. Read on to learn more about the options available to you, from exciting newbies to tried-and-true standards.

Starting Simple: Rest, Therapy, and Orthotics

The first line of defense is often the simplest.

• Rest, ice, and pain medication might provide relief in the short term.
• Physical therapy strengthens supporting muscles and improves flexibility, addressing the root cause of pain and preventing future problems.
• Custom orthotics deserve special mention. By providing personalized support and correcting biomechanical imbalances, they can significantly improve comfort and function.

You can get the best of both worlds via a combined approach:  A 2023 study published in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association (JAPMA) found that physical therapy combined with custom orthotics was highly effective in reducing pain and improving function in patients with plantar fasciitis.

• High-tech and low-tech can also complement one another. For example, our team utilizes 3D orthotic scanning technology to create orthotics tailored to your unique foot shape.
• This ensures a superior fit and function compared to traditional casting methods.

Stepping Up: Advanced Techniques for Persistent Pain

If conservative measures don’t provide lasting relief, your podiatrist might recommend more advanced interventions.

• Shockwave therapy, for instance, utilizes sound waves to stimulate tissue healing and reduce inflammation.
• Studies have shown promise for its effectiveness in treating plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis.

Sometimes, a minimally invasive surgical procedure might be the best approach.

• Many podiatrists are skilled surgeons, able to perform procedures like bunionectomy or hammertoe correction with minimal scarring and downtime involved.

Are you interested in learning more? We’re always happy to help! Schedule a comprehensive foot examination with Kentlands Foot and Ankle Center podiatrist Dr. Jon M. Sherman. To make your appointment, please call our office at 301-330-5666.

Good News for People with Chronic Heel Pain!

A twitch of pain somewhere in your foot is one thing – brief and tolerable. Thank goodness it goes away.

Heel pain that doesn’t go away is an entirely different matter. We’re talking about the heel pain that greets you like a knife when you step out of bed every morning. The kind of intense pain that makes you cry out, perhaps with a few choice words you didn’t mean to say. This kind of pain requires attention from Kentlands Foot and Ankle Center’s board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Jon M. Sherman, because it’s not likely to get better on its own.

Plantar fasciitis, explained!

The medical term for chronic heel pain is plantar fasciitis. Any medical word with the suffix “-itis” means “inflammation.” In this case, it’s the plantar fascia that’s inflamed. The plantar fascia is a large, thick ligament that runs along the bottom of your foot, connecting the calcaneus (heel bone) to your toes. It’s easily inflamed under some circumstances:

• You have a job that requires you to be on your feet for much of the day, such as a waiter, nurse, or urban mail carrier.
• You’re a runner or walker who’s recently increased their mileage, pace, or distance.
• You participate in other athletic activities, such as ballet, that put a lot of stress on your feet.
• You’re carrying some extra pounds, which puts undue stress on your feet.
• You have pre-existing issues with your foot anatomy, such as flatfoot or high arches.
• You’re over 40: The older you are, the more likely you will develop plantar fasciitis.

The pain you don’t have to live with

Fortunately, we have many effective treatments that soothe the pain of plantar fasciitis. Dr. Sherman will likely start with conservative approaches, including taking a break from any activity that hurts, performing stretching exercises, icing, taking anti-inflammatory medications, wearing custom orthotics, and getting steroid injections. Often, the best treatment involves a combination of all these.

Other treatment options include non-invasive shockwave therapy (ESWT, laser light therapy/cold laser, and physical therapy. Surgery for plantar fasciitis is a possibility but not a common one.

The key to successful plantar fasciitis treatment is getting it promptly. Don’t wait. We encourage residents of Montgomery County to consult Dr. Sherman sooner rather than later for a full examination and assessment of their heel pain. Call 301-330-5666 or contact us online for an appointment at our Gaithersburg podiatry office.