Heel pain can come in all sorts of ways, and some of them are more bothersome than others in daily life. 3D-printed foot orthoses are an excellent way to reduce foot pain, all while improving body biomechanics. Here are some of the most common heel pains and how 3D orthoses can help treat them.
Foot orthoses can help relieve heel pain
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia. The body feels this ache in the heel when starting to walk after a prolonged period of resting, especially first thing in the morning. It may result from exerting excessive effort without first warming up, from repetitive movements, or from wearing the wrong type of shoes for your morphology and activity.
Heel spur
The heel spur is another rare heel pain. It is a bony growth that appears irregularly inside the heel bone. It is excruciating to touch, and the area around it will also feel stiff. Wearing the wrong shoes, repeatedly landing hard on the heel, being overweight, having flat feet, or having very cavus feet can all be causes of a heel spur. It may also be a side effect of improperly managed plantar fasciitis or be connected to an inflammatory condition like arthritis.
Achilles tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis, which is typically felt during or after physical activity, is caused by a number of microcracks in this tendon. It is an inflammation that causes pain at the back of the heel, which can extend all the way up to the bottom of the calf. At times, it can make it challenging to get around. Athletes frequently experience this issue after making a sudden, high-intensity effort without first properly warming up and stretching.
Heel bursitis
Calcaneal bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa, which is a little liquid-filled space between the heel’s skin or bone and the Achilles tendon. Its primary symptoms are a pain when walking, as well as localized redness, swelling, and stiffness. Overloading, wearing too-tight shoes, and repetitive motions can all lead to bursitis. It can also occur as a result of foot trauma, infection or inflammatory disease.
Sever’s disease
Sever’s disease is an inflammation of the growth plate of the heel that affects children in the growth phase, between 8 and 15 years old. It presents as pain in the heel that can occasionally spread to the soles of the feet, as well as redness or swelling in the area and trouble setting the foot firmly on the ground. The heel bone is subjected to excessive stress, particularly during demanding activities, which is the main cause of this condition. Additionally, it might be brought on by a foot deformity, an abrupt growth spurt, being overweight, or wearing inappropriate shoes.
How can a 3D-printed foot orthosis relieve heel pain?
Wearing foot orthoses can alleviate or even treat each of the aforementioned heel symptoms. As a matter of fact, they offer better shock absorption, better support for the foot’s heel and arch, and allow for the best possible foot positioning. By more evenly dispersing the body’s weight and enhancing stability and balance, they also lessen the stress placed on a few crucial areas.
3D-printed orthoses go even further because this technology allows a foot imprint to be taken down to the millimetre, resulting in orthoses that are completely custom-made and tailored to the patient’s foot and individual needs. They are precise, comfortable, and long-lasting, and they benefit the podiatrist by saving time and simplifying the process of production.
Using 3D-printed orthoses to effectively treat heel pain
Custom-made foot orthoses are a dependable and efficient option that will address the causes of heel pain as well as the pain itself. They are valuable tools built on cutting-edge technology that can help patients with heel pain live better lives while providing significant benefits to the medical professionals who administer them. Are you interested in 3D orthoses for your patients? Get in touch with Talaria’s team to learn more.