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Why Kids and Adults Need Orthotics

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Custom orthotics are a common treatment for various foot and ankle conditions, but the needs and considerations for pediatric patients differ significantly from those of adults. Today, we at Carrollton Foot Center will explore the key distinctions between pediatric and adult orthotics and highlight how podiatrists tailor their approach to ensure optimal foot health for patients of all ages.

Why Orthotics?

We covered this in a previous blog, but today, we’ll go more in-depth as to how each age group depends on orthotics differently.

In Children:

  • Guiding Growth and Development: Orthotics can help guide proper foot and ankle development in children and address issues like flat feet, in-toeing, and out-toeing. Early intervention can prevent long-term complications and promote healthy biomechanics.
  • Addressing Congenital Conditions: Orthotics can be used to manage congenital foot deformities, such as clubfoot, which helps to correct alignment and improve function.
  • Supporting Neuromuscular Conditions: Children with neuromuscular conditions like cerebral palsy may benefit from orthotics to improve stability, reduce spasticity, and enhance mobility.
  • Managing Pediatric Foot Pain: Orthotics can address various sources of foot pain in children, such as Sever’s disease or juvenile bunions.

In Adults:

  • Correcting Biomechanical Issues: Orthotics can fix problems like flat feet, high arches, overpronation, or underpronation. These can all cause pain, affect your gait, and ruin your ability to exercise.
  • Managing Foot Conditions: Orthotics can help alleviate pain and improve function in conditions like plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, bunions, and metatarsalgia.
  • Offloading Pressure: Orthotics redistribute pressure and reduce stress on specific areas of the foot, which is crucial for people with diabetes or those prone to ulcers.
  • Improving Sports Performance: This applies to both groups, but orthotics can enhance athletic performance by optimizing biomechanics and reducing stress on the feet and lower limbs!

Pediatric and Adult Orthotics: Key Differences

In terms of function, pediatric orthotics often aim to guide proper foot development and prevent future problems, whereas adult orthotics may focus more on correcting existing issues and alleviating pain.

One of the key differences between pediatric and adult orthotics is the need to accommodate growth and development. Children’s feet are constantly growing and changing, so their orthotics must be designed to adapt to these changes. In contrast, adult feet generally require a more stable fit to provide greater support and correction.

Orthotic Progress Monitoring

Furthermore, children may adapt to orthotics more quickly due to their greater flexibility and adaptability, while adults may require a longer adjustment period.

Consequently, pediatric orthotics typically need to be re-evaluated more frequently than adult orthotics, usually every 6-12 months, or more often if the child experiences a growth spurt. Adult orthotics, on the other hand, may only need re-evaluation every 1-2 years unless there are changes in the patient’s condition or footwear.

Consult with Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari, a knowledgeable professional who is dedicated to her patients in Denton, Dallas, and Collins Counties. Dr. Khavari treats a wide range of conditions, from ingrown toenails to foot and ankle injuries. Call Carrollton Foot Center’s office (located in Carrollton, Texas) at (469)-998-3668 to schedule your first appointment today!

Custom Orthotics Cater to Feet of All Ages

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Sometimes, we all need a little extra support to function. And when it comes to your feet, that’s especially true! Tired arches and aching heels don’t usually mend themselves, and leaving problems untreated can lead to further complications. This holds true for both our youngest patients and the senior citizens that we treat at Carrollton Foot Center.

In many cases, conservative interventions can make all the difference. That’s where custom orthotics come in, offering personalized solutions for both children and adults. Take a look at the information below to find out what these sole savers can do for you!

Growing Strong: Orthotics for Developing Feet

  • Children’s feet are constantly growing and evolving, and sometimes, that growth can lead to misalignments like flat feet or high arches.
  • Custom orthotics, crafted to mold perfectly to a child’s unique foot shape, can promote proper development, guiding growing bones into correct alignment while reducing the risk of long-term problems like hip and knee pain.
  • Early intervention with orthotics can address issues like heel pain and ingrown toenails, improving a child’s overall comfort and participation in activities.
  • By providing stability and support, orthotics can improve balance, coordination, and endurance, giving young athletes a boost in their chosen sports.

Stepping Ahead: Orthotics for Adult Feet

  • Whether it’s plantar fasciitis, arthritis, or simply tired feet, orthotics can redistribute pressure and provide cushioning, leading to pain relief and improved mobility.
  • Orthotics can address problems like foot pronation or supination, preventing further damage and improving overall posture and gait.
  • For individuals with diabetes or neurological issues, orthotics can play a crucial role in preventing foot ulcers and promoting wound healing.

Customized for You

  • Unlike the one-size-fits-all approach of over-the-counter inserts, custom orthotics are made specifically for each individual’s foot.
  • The precise fit minimizes pressure points, providing targeted support exactly where it’s needed.
  • High-quality materials ensure your orthotics withstand the demands of daily life.
  • With proper care, custom orthotics can offer years of improved foot health and comfort.

Wondering if orthotics are right for you? Come ask board-certified podiatrist Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari! Committed to helping all her clients in Carrollton, TX, she offers a wide variety of treatments, from ingrown toenails to advanced surgical solutions. Contact Carrollton Foot Center’s office at 469-998-3668 to schedule an appointment today!

Consider This When Considering Orthotics

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If you’re not sure it’s time to switch over to orthotics, this blog is for you! In every podiatry practice, you’re bound to overhear a conversation about orthotics, but not all orthotics are created equally. With so many different options and offices to choose from, how do you know what’s right for you? At Carrollton Foot Center, we make it easy. Orthotics are an investment for your health today, tomorrow, and beyond – it’s no small decision to make! Dr. Lily Khavari is here to help clear up any confusion surrounding orthotics.

 

It’s a common misconception that orthotics are something that only older people need. To the surprise of many, orthotics are much more widely used across all different ages than you might think. Many young athletes utilize the support and stabilization of their trusty orthotics to keep the structures of their feet and ankles in the right places at all times.

 

Even if you’re not an athlete, or if you’re not young, orthotics can still be right for you. For those of us with family members who have foot problems, orthotics aren’t a bad idea to start with. At the earliest signs of any irregular foot pain or discomfort, introducing orthotics can help soothe, slow down, and potentially even stop the development of certain foot and ankle problems.

 

For those of us who wish we had started orthotics years ago, we’re probably already plagued with daily foot and ankle pain and discomfort. In these instances, it’s never too late to start. Let’s say you have a history of sprained ankles or you’ve broken parts of your feet or toes in the past. Over time, multiple sprained ankles weaken the tendons and can lead to a higher risk of repeated injury. Even if a broken bone is fixed, the likelihood of it developing arthritis later on in life is much greater due to breaking. Regardless of if your symptoms have yet to develop or have already developed, orthotics can help take the edge off and give your feet less work. Call us at (469) 998-3668 to schedule an appointment at our location in Carrollton, Texas today!

Orthotics – Big and Small

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There’s a myth among many patients in the podiatric world that specialized footwear like custom orthotics is exclusively for adults. This couldn’t be farther from the truth! In fact, starting your child off young in orthotics can help them out in the long run…pun intended. Think about it: when you hang around your kids today, aren’t you amazed (and maybe even a bit jealous) of the sheer amounts of energy they display on a daily basis? What is the majority of their energy spent doing? They are busy running, jumping, climbing, hopping, skipping, and exploring their environment.

Why Does My Child Need Orthotics?

Here in Texas, their exploration can be additionally draining on the feet when you consider the heat and the types of rough, rocky surfaces they might be on. Since our feet and ankles take the brunt of our weight during any physical activity, it makes sense to want to protect them as early on as possible from long-term damage. This can help prevent them from needing treatments like shockwave therapy or bunion surgery later on in life. While we don’t expect you to put your toddler into a pair of orthotics, pre-teenaged children and young adults can greatly benefit from wearing custom orthotics. When you or your child wears a pair of custom orthotics, your feet will be manipulated into their proper positioning. Be it soft or firm, the biomechanics of orthotics are formed to the unique and individual shape of your feet, cradling them in the form they benefit from the most. Because orthotics is considered a biomechanical medical tool, you can only get a pair of real orthotics through a podiatrist that has prescribed them to you or your child.

Use this as your opportunity to get your child started on a healthy relationship with their podiatrist, especially if your child is particularly active and athletic. Dr. Lilly Khavari has all the answers! Call our office today at (469) 998-3668 to schedule your child’s first, or next appointment at our great location in Carrollton, Texas.

Contact Us

We’d love to hear any question or concern you have.

4221 Medical Parkway
STE 450
Carrollton, TX

(469) 998-3668

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