What Are Custom Orthotics and Gait Analysis?
Custom orthotics are prescription shoe inserts designed to support the way your feet move, absorb pressure, and interact with the ground. Unlike over-the-counter inserts, custom orthotics are made around your specific foot structure, pressure points, symptoms, and movement patterns.
Gait analysis helps Dr. Trevor R. Williams evaluate how your feet, ankles, legs, and body move while you stand, walk, or run. At Foot & Ankle Specialists in West Jordan, this information can help identify problems that may not be obvious during a basic foot exam, including abnormal pressure, poor alignment, instability, or movement patterns that contribute to pain.
Who Can Benefit from Custom Orthotics?
Custom orthotics may help patients with heel pain, plantar fasciitis, flat feet, high arches, bunions, diabetic pressure concerns, sports injuries, tendon pain, recurring ankle problems, or foot fatigue. They may also be useful for people who spend long hours standing, walking, running, or working on hard surfaces.
Orthotics are not just about adding cushion. A well-designed orthotic can help guide the foot into a better position, reduce pressure on painful areas, improve stability, and support more efficient movement. For some patients, this can reduce strain on the foot, ankle, knees, hips, or lower back.
How Gait Analysis Helps Identify the Real Problem
Foot pain is not always caused by the area that hurts. For example, heel pain may be connected to tight calves, arch mechanics, poor shock absorption, or training habits. Forefoot pain may be related to pressure overload, shoe fit, or the way weight shifts during walking.
Gait analysis allows Dr. Williams to look at the full movement pattern instead of treating symptoms in isolation. This helps create a more personalized plan for patients who have recurring pain, sports-related problems, or symptoms that have not improved with basic shoe changes.
What to Expect from Orthotic Care
The process may include a foot and ankle exam, review of symptoms, footwear assessment, gait evaluation, and discussion of daily activities or sports goals. If custom orthotics are appropriate, they are designed to match the patient’s condition, foot shape, and lifestyle.
Some patients need orthotics for daily support, while others need them for running, work shoes, athletic shoes, or diabetic pressure management. Dr. Williams helps patients understand how to break them in, when to wear them, and when adjustments may be needed.
Why Choose Foot & Ankle Specialists?
Foot & Ankle Specialists combines advanced foot and ankle knowledge with practical movement-based care. Dr. Williams uses his experience in biomechanics, sports medicine, and podiatric surgery to help patients find support that fits their body, their shoes, and their goals.