Image Credits: Orthotix
“Take care of yourself, be healthy, and always believe you can be successful in anything you truly want.” Alessandra Ambrosio
Ankle injuries affect many persons, particularly those who are actively engaged such as athletes of all levels. If you’re feeling aches in your ankles, you may be wondering what procedures and steps to take in order to alleviate that often sudden pain that comes with treating your symptoms.
If you’re not seasoned in understanding your body’s signals, the best action to take is to consult your foot and ankle specialist. Via a series of assessments and via tools such as X-rays and MRI scans, a proper diagnosis can be made. Early detection can save your life. At the most basic levels however, there are action steps that you can take to treat yourself.
In the preliminary stages of foot care, inserts and orthotics are utilized by foot care specialists in order to facilitate the appropriate treatment plan.
What are Inserts and Orthotics?
Inserts are familiar to many persons on a surface level. Many advertisements about products such as Dr Scholl’s foot inserts are presented to public on a regular basis. Additionally, when you walk into your pharmacy, you’ll often see ankle braces, gels, blister caps, foot creams and other similar devices readily available on display for you to purchase. Accessible without a prescription, inserts are the first steps that you can take in order to treat yourself if you feel that initial pain, and can’t access your foot care specialist. They are generic products and may or may not always be the best for you in terms of the root cause of the condition. Use with caution.
Orthotics on the other hand, are the custom made prescription accessible treatment options. Designed to be worn inside the shoes, they facilitate either regular motion or assist in re-aligning your body. The treatment options for orthotics are widespread, and often used in order to prevent downstream surgical procedures. With a wide range of options and different material baselines depending on the healing properties needed, your orthopaedic surgeon will design a unit(s) that will ease the symptoms you have and facilitate healing.
As minimally invasive treatments, as a patient, you will have access to a host of treatment possibilities. Take your time, and investigate the root causes. Prevention is better than cure. Since your feet support your body, and provide mobility it will be beneficial to you to ensure that they are well taken care of.
What are Leg Braces?
Leg Braces are often prescribed by your orthopaedic surgeon in order to facilitate the healing of a myriad of root causes. These include metatarsal stress fractures, foot drop, ankle sprains and achilles tendonitis. If you require a surgical treatment, special medical walking shoes, that support the feet yet facilitate mobility can be accessed. With the advent of material science, the materials that can be used to create leg braces include rigid plastic, carbon fibres, leather, cushioned material that supports the feet as inserts, and other synthetic cloths that can be used to provide a tie of some sort, and enable the braces to be attached and strapped to the feet.
Leg braces can either be ordered custom made from the manufacturer or ordered off the shelf from organizations such as Amazon.com. Detailed research indicates that Amazon, is well stocked in this particular medical innovation.
Depending on the level of support needed, carefully treat your feet or consult with your orthopaedic surgeon in order to determine whether orthotics or leg braces will be needed in your recovery.
Site Disclaimer: “‘Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.’
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