Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel to your toes. It plays a key role in supporting the arch of your foot.

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis can include:

• pain in the heel that is sharp or stabbing
• pain when standing after periods of rest or first thing in the morning
• pain after prolonged standing or walking

Custom foot orthotics aim to support the inflammed tissue allowing the fascia to heal. Custom foot orthotics may also correct infavourable foot mechanics to reduce daily stress on the fascia when plantar fasciitis is chronic.

Metatarsalgia is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot, particularly around the metatarsal bones, which are the five long bones in the foot that connect the toes to the rest of the foot. This pain is typically felt in the area just before the toes and can be caused by a variety of factors, including overuse, high-impact activities, ill-fitting shoes, or foot deformities.

Symptoms of metatarsalgia can include:

• Sharp, burning, or aching pain in the ball of the foot
• Pain that worsens with activity, especially when walking or running
• Swelling or bruising in the affected area
• Numbness or tingling in the toes

Custom foot orthotics with a metatarsal pad are designed to offload the pressure on the metatarsal bones.

Morton's neuroma is a condition that involves the thickening of tissue around one of the nerves leading to your toes, often between the third and fourth toes. This thickened tissue can put pressure on the nerve, causing pain, discomfort, and sometimes numbness or tingling in the affected toes.

Common symptoms of Morton's neuroma include:

• Sharp, burning pain in the ball of the foot, usually between the third and fourth toes.
• A feeling of having a lump or something in your shoe.
• Numbness or tingling in the toes.
• Pain that often worsens with walking or wearing tight, high-heeled, or poorly fitting shoes.

Custom foot orthotics aim to treat morton's neuroma by alleviating the pressure on the involved nerve.

Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD) is a condition in which the posterior tibial tendon, which runs along the inside of your ankle and helps support the arch of your foot, becomes damaged or inflamed. This tendon plays a crucial role in maintaining the arch of the foot and aiding in walking and movement.

As the tendon weakens or becomes dysfunctional, it can lead to flattening of the foot (often called fallen arches) and difficulty with walking. Over time, the condition can progress, causing pain, instability, and changes in the shape of the foot.

Symptoms of Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction can include:

• Pain along the inside of the ankle, especially after activity or prolonged standing.
• Swelling near the inside of the ankle or foot.
• Flatfoot (a noticeable collapse of the arch of the foot).
• Difficulty walking, especially on uneven surfaces or walking long distances.
• Increased pronation (when the foot rolls inward) while walking.
• Weakness in the foot or ankle.

Custom foot orthotics aim to treat PTTD by alleviating strain on the injured tendon. This can be done by improving infavourable biomechanics and/or posture and supporting the foot in a neutral position.

Achilles tendinopathy is a condition that involves damage or degeneration to the Achilles tendon, the large tendon at the back of your lower leg that connects the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) to the heel bone (calcaneus). It’s often caused by repetitive stress or overuse, leading to pain, swelling, and decreased flexibility in the tendon.

There are two types of Achilles tendinopathy:

1. Non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy: This type affects the middle part of the tendon, where it begins to degenerate. It is more common in younger, active people.
2. Insertional Achilles tendinopathy: This type affects the tendon where it attaches to the heel bone and is more common in older individuals or those with flat feet or abnormal foot mechanics.

Symptoms of Achilles Tendinopathy can include:

• Pain along the back of the heel or in the lower part of the calf, which may worsen with activity.
• Swelling or thickening of the Achilles tendon.
• Stiffness in the tendon, particularly in the morning or after periods of rest.
• Pain that gets worse with running, jumping, or walking, especially uphill or on hard surfaces.
• Tendon tenderness to touch, particularly in the affected area.

Custom foot orthotics aim to treat achilles tendinopathy by supporting the foot in a neutral position to alleviate excessive strain on the tendon.

Bunions are bony bumps that form at the base of the big toe, where it connects to the foot. They occur when the bone or joint at the base of the big toe moves out of alignment, causing the toe to angle toward the second toe. This misalignment can lead to pain, swelling, and irritation at the joint.

Symptoms of Bunions can include:

• A bump on the side of the foot at the base of the big toe.
• Pain or tenderness at the site of the bump, especially when wearing tight shoes or standing for long periods.
• Swelling and redness around the joint.
• Calluses or corns may develop where the big toe rubs against the second toe or footwear.
• Limited movement in the big toe due to joint stiffness.

Custom foot orthotics aim to treat bunions by providing support to or reducing pressure on the first MTP joint.

Osteoarthritis in the feet is a condition in which the cartilage in the joints of the feet begins to break down over time. This causes the bones in the affected joints to rub against each other, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited movement.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and can affect any joint in the body, including those in the feet

In the feet, osteoarthritis typically affects the big toe joint (first metatarsophalangeal joint), but it can also impact other areas, such as the ankle, heel, or midfoot.'

Symptoms of osteoarthritis can include:

• Pain with motion
• Pain that flares up with vigorous activity
• Tenderness when pressure is applied to the joint
• Joint swelling, warmth and redness
• Increased pain and swelling in the morning

Custom foot orthotics aim to treat osteoarthritis by reducing stress on affected joints.

In-toeing, also known as "pigeon-toeing," is a condition where a person's feet turn inward while walking or standing, instead of pointing straight ahead. This can happen due to various reasons related to the alignment or structure of the legs and feet. In-toeing is most common in children, especially between the ages of 1 and 4, but can also occur in adults.

There are three main causes of in-toeing:

1. Tibial Torsion: This occurs when the shinbone (tibia) twists inward. It is common in young children and may resolve on its own as they grow and develop.
2. Femoral Anteversion: This is when the thigh bone (femur) twists inward. It typically affects young children and often improves as they get older, with the bones naturally aligning in a more normal position.
3. Metatarsus Adductus: This is when the front part of the foot (the forefoot) turns inward. It can be present at birth and may improve on its own in mild cases. Severe cases might require treatment, such as stretching or casting.

Symptoms of in-toeing can include:

• Feet pointing inward while walking or running.
• The child may trip more often due to the misalignment.
• In some cases, the child may complain of pain or discomfort, though it's often painless.

Custom foot orthotics (gait plate) aim to treat in-toeing by correcting foot position and promoting proper mechanics.

Ankle instability refers to a condition where the ankle becomes prone to rolling or twisting, often leading to a feeling of weakness or "giving way." This can result from damage or weakness in the ligaments and muscles that support the ankle joint, making it more vulnerable to sprains or injuries. Ankle instability often develops after a previous ankle injury, such as an ankle sprain, but can also occur due to chronic weakness or abnormal movement patterns.

Causes of Ankle Instability:

1. Recurrent Sprains: The most common cause of ankle instability is repeated sprains, where the ligaments are overstretched or torn. With each sprain, the ligaments may become looser and weaker, leading to chronic instability.
2. Weak Muscles: If the muscles around the ankle are weak, they may not provide adequate support, increasing the risk of instability.
3. Ligament Damage: Injury to the ligaments, particularly the lateral ligaments on the outside of the ankle (such as the anterior talofibular ligament or calcaneofibular ligament), can result in long-term instability if they don’t heal properly.
4. Abnormal Foot Mechanics: Issues like flat feet or high arches can put additional strain on the ankle, contributing to instability.

Symptoms of Ankle Instability can include:

• Frequent ankle sprains or "twists."
• A feeling of the ankle "giving way," especially during walking or running.
• Pain or discomfort, particularly after physical activity.
• Swelling or tenderness around the ankle.
• Weakness or a lack of strength in the ankle.

Custom foot orthotics aim to treat ankle instability by supporting the foot in a neutral position while walking, standing and performing activities.