Dr. Brian Nagy | October 6th, 2017
Posted In: HyProCure Treatment, Orthotics
Have you been using conservative methods to treat your foot pain? Perhaps you have already tried soaking your feet, massaging your feet and legs, taking aspirin, applying cold packs or warm packs, and you still have pain. When those at-home treatments don’t work, it’s time to seek help from your New Hampshire podiatrist.
Whether the cause of your discomfort is Achilles tendonitis, arch pain, bunions, flat feet, hammertoes, heel pain or overpronation, your podiatrist may prescribe a treatment plan that includes the use of custom orthotics. But do they work? And what can you do if they end up causing you even more pain?
According to a study recently published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science, orthotic insoles can indeed improve the pressure and pain associated with flexible flatfoot.
A Canadian review of orthotics published in the online PainScience journal found custom orthotics to be helpful in treating a variety of conditions including plantar fasciitis, arthritis, diabetes and a condition associated with pain in the ball of the foot knows as metatarsalgia.
Other painful foot conditions for which custom shoe inserts are prescribed include Achilles tendonitis, bunions, hammertoes and misalignment.
When prescribed by your podiatrist and used together with other treatments, custom shoe inserts often do provide relief from foot pain. If they don’t seem to be working for you or are causing more foot pain, it’s time for another call to your podiatrist.
Unfortunately, custom orthotic shoe inserts don’t come with a guarantee. Stress from orthotics can actually lead to weak ankles, feet or knees and cause additional foot pain.
Furthermore, it’s difficult to get relief from orthotic inserts that weren’t made correctly. You may also suffer from sore muscles as your body attempts to adapt to the orthotics. You may also need to have them frequently adjusted as the pressure and strain on your feet changes due to your shifting alignment.
If your custom shoe inserts cause more foot pain or simply don’t work, there is an alternative solution. HyProCure® is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat painful foot conditions like bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, overpronation and flat feet. It is performed right in your podiatrist’s office and only takes about 15 to 20 minutes. There is little to no pain during the procedure and patients usually experience a quick recovery.
First, you will be given a local anesthetic. This is just a twilight sleep and you won’t have to be put completely under as you would for major surgery. Your podiatrist will then make a tiny incision and insert a small titanium stent in your sinus tarsia, the space between your ankle and your heel bone. You will be able to go home the same day you have the procedure.
HyProCure® treatment helps realign your foot, reduces overpronation, and decreases or eliminates your foot pain. You will likely also get relief from any back pain, knee pain or other joint pain caused by misalignment.
Recovering from HyProCure® treatment involves resting your ankle for about five days, gradually increasing the amount of pressure you put on your foot. Cold packs and anti-inflammatory medications will help reduce any inflammation.
You should continue to rest or elevate the ankle when possible and wear shoes that provide full support to your feet and ankles. Although patients are usually up and walking again in about a week, every body is different and heals at its own pace.
Custom orthotic shoe inserts might be what you need to eliminate foot and ankle pain, but they might not be the best long-term solution – especially when they cause additional pain.
At Nagy Footcare, a New Hampshire podiatrist can help you discover the source of your foot pain. And if your custom orthotics are causing you pain, ask us about alternative treatment. Dr. Nagy is a Qualified HyProCure® Surgeon who can help. Contact us to schedule a consultation today.
At Nagy Footcare, our best day is when you wake up with no foot pain.
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