Flat feet is a chronic condition that can cause people a great deal of pain and discomfort. There is no sure fire treatment for flat feet, and no magic cure. However, there are devices that can help treat a patient or person suffering from flat feet and they are orthotics. What orthotics will not do is magically make an arch appear in a persons foot, but they can help with the pain, and reduce the formation of a flat foot by controlling excessive pronation. The only thing that can make an arch in somebody’s foot is surgery and even that is an iffy proposition at best. There are two types of orthotics, one are custom molded orthotics which are made by Podiatrists, after making a cast of your foot, custom orthotics are specifically created with a persons foot in mind. Custom orthotics are expensive; upwards of 400-500 dollars. However in some cases insurance will cover them. This article will discuss the best over the counter orthotics for flat feet, in other words orthotics that can be easily purchased by anyone. While these orthotics are not as effective as custom, they are more inexpensive. Beware that the biggest mistake someone with flat feet can make is to buy an orthotic with a big arch. That will not cure your problem, it will make your foot hurt more, because it is not a natural position for your foot.
Ten Seconds Flatfoot Low Profile inserts– These inserts are specifically made for the person suffering from flat feet. They have a low profile but still maintain good pronation control. These orthotics compensate for the flat foot profile to help remove stress and strain that may cause ankle and knee pain.
Superfeet Insoles- These insoles have a deep heel cup which helps control motion as well as a metatarsal pad in the forefoot which helps reduce the strain on the forefoot. If you are suffering from forefoot pain with your flat feet these are the orthotics for you. They have high density pre-compressed foam which additionally helps with forefoot pain during walking. If you have flat feet and have a great deal of forefoot pain during extended standing these are the orthotics for you.
Review of SuperFeet insoles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhmsy9uqaTk
Spenco– These orthotics help absorb stress on the feet throughout the entire length of the foot, yet the orthotic is still able to have motion control with its heel cup. These orthotics are ideal for the flat foot suffer who has a nondescript pain throughout the entire course of the foot, or just in the heel. Additionally, if you suffer from a diffuse pain after being on your feet for long periods of time, these are an ideal orthotic.
Power Step– Perhaps the best over the counter orthotic on the market, this orthotic is ideal for high impact athletes or just regular joes as it is the perfect combination of biomechanical design and stress absorption. If you complain about your flat feet feeling tired a lot this is the ideal orthotic for you. Hyperurel cushioning will provide lifelong cushioning of your orthotic. This orthotic is also ideal for the flat foot sufferer who is suffering from arch pain. These orthotics also will most likely last the longest of any of the orthotics listed above.
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