Orthotic and Foot Care Articles

Looking for a brace for foot drop has never been easier. Before it would take a trip to a specialist, but now you can order in the comfort of your home and have it mailed to you. By taking a few simple measurements you can find the correct size to order.

First, some background.

What is drop foot?

Foot drop is characterized by steppage gait. When the person with foot drop walks, the foot slaps down onto the floor. To accommodate the toe drop, the patient may use a characteristic tip-toe walk on the opposite leg, raising the thigh excessively, as if walking upstairs, while letting the toe drop. This serves to raise the foot high enough to prevent the toe from dragging, and prevents the slapping. Other gaits such as a wide outward leg swing (to avoid lifting the thigh excessively or to turn corners in the opposite direction of the affected limb) may also indicate foot drop. kanye west heartless

Patients with painful disorders of sensation (dysesthesia) of the soles of the feet may have a similar gait, but do not have foot drop. Because of the extreme pain evoked by even the slightest pressure on the feet, the patient walks as if walking barefoot on hot sand.

Causes of Foot Drop

Foot drop is caused by weakness that occurs in specific muscles of the ankle and the foot. The affected muscles participate in the downward and upward movement of the ankle and the foot. See picture below.

Foot drop can be associated with a variety of conditions such as dorsiflexor injuries, peripheral nerve injuries, stroke, neuropathies, drug toxicities, or diabetes

Foot Drop Position Comparison

Treatment

Foot drop that can’t be treated by surgery is often treated using a special AFO orthotic brace, like the ones below, that provides normal range of motion to the foot and ankle during walking. Other people with foot drop can benefit from the stimulation of the affected nerves. The stimulation is applied as the foot is raised during a stride and is stopped when the foot touches down on the ground.

When the cause of foot drop is a muscular or nerve difficulty, surgery can be beneficial. Surgery can relieve the pressure on a compacted nerve, repair a muscle, and even restore a normal gait by lengthening the Achilles tendon or replacing a defective tendon.

Recovery and rehabilitation

Depending on the nature of the cause of foot drop, recovery can be partial or complete. Physical therapy and an ankle foot orthotic device worn in the shoe are important aspects of rehabilitation.

AFO Braces

There are several different styles of AFO braces depending upon the level of support needed. Traditional models are made of a sturdy material and provide a plate that slides into the shoes to help keep the foot level. These tend to provide the most support can be hard to conceal or get used to.

AFO Leaf Spring

AFO Generation II Dynamic

AFO Light

New and innovative models reduce the bulk of the traditional braces and still provide an excellent level of support. The Foot-Up attaches above the ankle and helps hold the foot up by supporting an inlay that goes under the shoe’s laces. A shoesless version of the FootUp model is also available.

Ossur Foot Up AFO

Another Drop Foot support is the Soft Drop Foot Brace. This one is made from Neoprene and can be easily hidden and also be used without shoes.

Soft Foot Drop Brace

The above are all over the counter solutions that can be purchased from the comfort of your home. With a few easy measurements, one can easily purchase an AFO brace to help alleviate their drop foot condition.

The Orthotic Shop (www.OrthoticShop.com) is a great place to purchase Drop Foot Braces. They offer fast shipping, great customer support and easy returns / exchanges.

There are many different types of products available that provide arch support. Products include custom made orthotics, over-the-counter orthotics, and there is a special line of Crocs called CrocsRx that have arch support. There are even flip-flops made by a small and upcoming company named Moszkito that have arch support build into them. This article will look at some of the traditional arch supports as well as the new footwear that provides the arch support you need without the bulkiness of having to wear a shoe.

Why do you need arch support?

There are many reasons for wearing arch supports. The most prominent reason is to abolish arch pain. When you don’t have enough support under the arch, the tendon that supports the arch can collapse from walking, running or just standing on your feet. This collapse can inflame the tendon leading to a condition called Plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammatory condition of the foot caused by excessive wear to the plantar fascia that supports the arch or by biomechanical faults that cause abnormal pronation. The pain usually is felt on the underside of the heel, and is often most intense with the first steps of the day. It is commonly associated with long periods of standing on your feet or by sudden changes in weight bearing or activity. Obesity, weight gain, jobs that require a lot of walking on hard surfaces, shoes with little or no arch support, and inactivity are also factors associated with the condition. Below is a review of products that provide Arch Support.

Custom Orthotics

Custom Orthotics provide the best arch support since they are custom molded to your feet. Custom Orthotics are made by taking an impression or scan of your foot. The orthotics lab uses the foot impression to manufacture the orthotic that fits your feet. The process is well thought out and the workmanship is top notch. So if you are looking for custom orthotics we highly recommend The Orthotic Shop.

Over-the-Counter Orthotics

There are several over the counter orthotics. We found that the Amfit CustomSelect Orthotics ones work well. Using an interactive tool that asks for your gender, shoe size and arch height it gives you a model number that will work for your feet. There are approximately 80 different models of CustomSelect orthotics, so it is the closest thing next to custom. The Amfit CustomSelect Orthotics have many advanced features that are usually found in custom orthotics. One such feature is the X-static Silver lined topcover. The silver provides anti-bacterial properties that help keep down foot odors and keep your feet healthy.

Amfit CustomSelect Insoles

Another Over the Counter Orthotic that we like is the Lynco Orthotics made by Aetrex. Lynco orthotics have several models available as well. These different models focus around the type of shoes and activities you plan on using them in, for example there are orthotics for diabetics, dress shoes, general sports, casual use, and golfing. For each activity there are models that are designed for low, medium, & high arches and models that have metatarsal pads, which provide additional cushioning at the ball of the feet.

Lynco L425 Sports Orthotics

Innovative Footwear

Several new types of footwear are now available that let you enjoy your favorite activities without the bulk of extra-depth walking or dress shoes. Below the Crocs RX comfort clogs and the Moszkito flip flops are presented.

Crocs Rx

Usually flip-flops are not recommended to those seeking arch support so Crocs came out with special molded foam clogs made under their CrocsRx line, which have been approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association and United States Ergonomics as a healthy alternative to flip-flops. These Crocs are made specifically for people who are on their feet all day and provide many benefits. Most important is the shock absorbing properties that minimize load on feet, lower legs, knees, hips, and lower back. The Crocs Rx line is available in many colors to suit different personalities.

CrocsRx Relief - Crocs with Arch Support - Khaki

Moszkito Flip Flops

People with Arch Pain should typically avoid open-back shoes, sandals, “flip-flops,” and any shoes without raised heels. Moszkito came out with flip flops to address that concern. Moszkito Flip Flops have built-in arch support! They come in many styles and colors as well so it is easy to find a style that suits your needs. Wear them all day and into the night. You will love them!

Moszkito Womens Archy Sandal