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Choosing the correct orthotic

What is a foot orthotic?

By definition, a custom made foot orthotic is a medical device made to control the way a foot functions. There is a significant amount of literature that can scientifically detail what a foot orthotic should be, how they should be diagnosed, and how they should be manufactured. At the end of the day you have only one thing in mind - making your feet and overall body feel better.

A properly prescribed and manufactured foot orthotic inserted into your shoes will correct abnormalities in their biomechanical function, thus reducing pain, providing support, and preventing these deformities from progressing with age. Keep in mind that foot orthotics not only alleviate foot pain but are effective in treating hip pain, lower back pain, and knee pain that are a result of these mal-alignments in the lower body.

Orthotic Choices

There are two basic types of orthotics; accommodative and functional. Accommodative orthotics are designed to simply shift body weight away from the painful area but are not designed or intended to correct the underlying problem. These orthotics are typically made of a soft material and are referred to as "soft orthotics".

Functional foot orthotics are designed to specifically correct the abnormality and are the type of orthotic that will provide the highest level of correction and relief.

There are two types of functional orthotics; rigid and semi-rigid. Rigid orthotics are made from a firm material such as plastic or carbon fiber and are designed to aggressively correct mal-alignments of the lower extremity, i.e. pes planus. Semi-rigid orthotics are used for patients needing a more flexible device with more cushioning, i.e. pes cavus.

Our QUADRASTEP SYSTEM orthotics are a pre-fabricated custom-to-foot type foot orthotic that is the closest you can get to a custom foot orthotic with a prefab. They have all of the posting, recesses and correction of a custom functional foot orthotic at a fraction of the cost.

Your practitioner can explain how properly balanced feet can dramatically improve your overall posture and strength to optimize your bio-mechanical wellness.

To find a practitioner that can dispense QUADRASTEP® orthotics, check our Find a Practitioner pageon Nolaro24.com and get RELIEF NOW!

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What makes littleSTEPS® Unique?

littleSTEPS® provide the same functional foot control found in prescription foot orthoses. Some of
these features are:

• An ultra deep 30 mm heel cup to maximize rearfoot control and realign the Achilles tendon.
  
• Excellent arch support with deep sidewalls to assure both comfort and correction.
  
• A unique thermoplastic compound which has a combination of strength and a “soft-edge” feel for patient comfort.
  
• littleSTEPS® are durable and easy to clean with soap and water.
  
• Fit in most standard athletic shoes.

littleSTEPS® are sold through practitioners, to find a practitioner in your area, check out our FIND A PRACTITIONER Tool.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Here are some fun facts about Feet:

We all know that American bodies are getting bigger, but what about our feet? In the United States, the best-selling shoe size is 8.5 for women and 10.5 for men. Those are both up a full size from 30 years ago, according to the National Shoe Retailers Association in a Chicago Tribune article. If you think you know your correct size, you could be off — a 2011 report published in the Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery suggests that about 35 percent of people underestimated by at least half a size.

It is suggested that 9 out of 10 women wear the wrong shoe size!

Humans have nearly 8000 nerves in our feet

Compared to fingernails, toenails grow much more slowly – about 1mm a month

Fingernails and toenails grow faster during hot weather, pregnancy and teenage years

The record for the world’s largest feet belongs to Matthew McGrory who wears US size 28½

In a pair of feet, there are 250,000 sweat glands

It takes at least 5-6 months to grow an entirely new toenail

Akshat Saxena holds the world record for having the most toes with 10 digits one each foot!

In America, the average shoe size has gone up two sizes in just four decades

It’s rare that two feet are exactly the same; one of them is often larger than the other

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Causes and Prevention: Why Your Foot and Ankle Are Killing You?

The condition of your feet can give you a lot of clues about multiple medical issues, like diabetes, arthritis, or sprain. Foot and ankle pain is a widespread problem among people of all ages and gender, and it refers to any kind of discomfort in your foot and ankles.

92.1% of people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis suffer from foot pain, and it substantially impacts their life and work. – NCBI

Here we have made a list of causes that might be killing your foot and ankle.

Read the full article from Dr. Scott Gray HERE

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Twitter: @LSteps @QuadraSTEPS

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Find the right shoes for Back to School!

Now that it's time to go back to school, most parents are getting new shoes for their kids. It's very important for you to choose the right fitting shoe for your child, as well as the right shoe for your child's orthotics.

Orthotics do not work without something to give it contact with the dynamic foot.  That is where the shoe comes into play.  With footwear, the orthotic becomes an extension of the foot (or at minimum a bridge between the foot and shoe). With that all being said, are shoes an important consideration when wearing orthotics?  Absolutely.

The Importance of Fit

The first thing to remember is that a shoe is only as good as the fit.  A $200 shoe that fits poorly has less value than a $40 shoe that fits properly.  You will benefit from having an expert select and fit your shoes.

Find a retailer that has a good selection of shoes, and has associates who are skilled at fitting and have a history of customer satisfaction.  It is best to find a retailer who has a certified pedorthist on staff or someone who has a good understanding of pedorthic concepts.  Once you have an idea of which retailers might meet your requirements, ask these questions.  Does the sales staff know their stuff?  Do they measure feet?  Are they listening to you? 

The Basics of the Fitting Process

One concept to remember is that shoe size is not foot size.  A person who has a size 9 foot may wear a size 9 shoe – or a size 10 – depending on the brand. Even within a brand you can find that different models can have fit characteristics.  The starting point in shoe selection and fitting is to be professionally measured with the Brannock Device.  This foot measuring apparatus measures the heel-to-toe length of the foot, the heel-to-ball and the linear width.  Using the Brannock Device not only indicates the foot size but helps to visually show foot expansion between non-weight bearing and weight bearing state.  It is also a great tool for help quantify a size difference between the two feet.

Shoe selection is very important and the general goal is to match the foot shape to a corresponding shoe shape.  If the foot is shaped like a loaf of bread, then look for a straight-lasted shoe.  If the foot is shaped like a banana, then look for a curved-lasted shoe.  An important consideration is the orthotic itself, as they will affect the effective shape of the foot.  As most orthotics tend to be more straight and full, often the best shoe options are those that are also straight and full.

When fitting the shoe, the professional should try and fit the widest part of the foot into the widest part of the shoe.  If that is achieved then the shoe will flex naturally along with the foot, enabling a more fluid gait and causing less irritation.  Beyond last shape and ball-of-foot placement, having adequate space at the end of the shoe is important.  In general, having at least 3/8^th of an inch of space at the end of the longest toe (which may not be the great toe).

Shoe Selection is Critical

Before buying shoes, it is best to assess your expectations.  Orthotics will not fit into all shoes.  In fact, they will fit into a minority of shoes found in a typical shoe store.  The shoe will need to tie, Velcro or otherwise be secured around the foot.  In addition, the shoe needs to have enough internal volume to accommodate the orthotic. Remember that any given shoe model might not be the best fit option for every person.  In addition, depending on your activity level, the shoe you need may not a running shoe.  A full-waisted walking shoe may be the perfect shoe or perhaps a casual oxford.  Instead of looking for specific styles of shoes, look for specific features.

Follow Up

Don’t be afraid to ask for a return visit so you can have your retailer check how the shoe fits and how it accommodates the orthotic.  It may take a little time for the orthotic to seat firmly into the shoe and start to feel comfortable. If you have any pain, you should go back to your retailer immediately to have them check that they have chosen the correct shoe for your foot type and your orthotics.
Information courtesy of Lamey Wellehan Shoes  •  Maine’s Shoe Store since 1914

ARE YOUR KIDS READY FOR SCHOOL?

With thoughts of school right around the corner (THE MOST WONDERFUL time of the year! 🤣🤣🤣), most of you parents are shopping for new shoes for your kids in August. Do you know that you need to check their littleSTEPS® orthotics to make sure they are still the right size as well? Chances are that they will need a new size for their new shoes! Be sure to check your child's sizing and make an appointment with your local practitioner to be fitted for their new larger size littleSTEPS®, and have them bring their new shoes with them.

Here's how to check if your child needs a new size:

Getting the next size larger littleSTEPS® will ensure that your kids are comfortable at school, in sports, and at home just having fun. If you need to find a practitioner, please check our website's database of dispensing practitioners in your area HERE.

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