Orthotic Insoles Keep You in the Game
By Dr. Nicholas Pagano, DPM, FACFAS , Barking Dogs Foot and Ankle Care
I’ve been treating feet for a long time, and one thing hasn’t changed. When your feet hurt, the whole machine breaks down. Runners, weekend warriors, people who just want to walk the dog without wincing. It all comes back to how the foot is aligned when it hits the ground.
So let me talk about orthotic insoles, and where an over-the-counter option actually earns its place.
OTC Orthotic Insoles Work Better Than People Expect
Plantar fasciitis is where I lean on them the most. A good orthotic insole supports the arch, and that support reduces the strain feeding those plantar fascial symptoms. You’re basically resting an injured area while still going about your day. That matters because nobody wants to sit around waiting to heal.
But it’s not just heel pain. I use orthotic insoles for tendinitis, forefoot problems, bunions, hammer toes and neuromas. The list is longer than most patients assume when they walk in.
When I Reach for OTC First
Every patient gets the same start. Full review of the complaint, proper testing and, honestly, a lot of listening.
If there’s a biomechanical issue, I bring orthotic insoles in on the first visit. A properly fitted premade device gets the foot into better alignment right away. No waiting on a lab to build customs. That head start often points a patient straight toward a good outcome, and sometimes that’s all they ever need.
Here’s the part people don’t hear enough. If a patient is getting real success from a high-quality OTC orthotic insole, I’m fine with them staying there. They replace the pair when it wears out and keep moving.
The Biomechanics, Kept Simple
Fixing feet is a biomechanical exercise. Stabilize the foot, put it in a more efficient alignment, and you prevent the excessive abnormal forces that create the injury in the first place. Overuse injuries especially. I see those constantly, across every sport and activity level. That’s why I don’t get impressed by cushioning alone.
When someone brings in an insert, the first thing I check is durability and stability. If it doesn’t support the inner and outer arch, and it doesn’t seat the heel properly, that insole is no better than the liner your shoe came with. Soft and squishy isn’t support.
The Ones I Recommend for Athletes
If pickleball or tennis are more your speed, Revitalign® has a specific insole made for court usage, the Pickleball & Court Insoles. These insoles offer the same Full Contact Comfort® support as the PWR Thane Sport with specialized cushioning for lateral movements and quick pivots common in court sports like pickleball, tennis and basketball.
Keep the Machine Running
I still get a kick out of watching someone’s face when their foot finally sits in proper alignment. Our job as physicians is to keep people healthy, and that means keeping them active.
Drop a Revitalign® orthotic insole into your shoe. It reinforces the structure of the foot and gets you moving from a stronger, less tired position. That’s what keeps you in the game.