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New Orthotics Show Real Improvement

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Many people have tried orthotics to correct foot problems. Some have had success; others have not. Now technology has improved the science of orthotics, and these new versions are helping patients with all kinds of ailments. Foot care is essential for diabetics like Mitchell Levitsky, 40. That's why when he thought there was a piece of glass in his heel, he headed straight to the doctor.

"He said there's no glass. It's called a heel spur," said Levitsky. Podiatrist Dr. Marc Klein suggested Levitsky try a new type of orthotic called full-contact orthotics. "The old type orthotics -- there was a gap built in, which was part of the biomechanical theory," said Klein.

Klein said these ICON orthotics work as soon as the foot and the device make contact. The orthotics are created with flexible foam while the patient is seated; standing places the foot in an abnormal position. They are formed to each person's specific curvature of the arch with respect to their weight and foot flexibility.

"If you can get the foot into the proper position, the foot and the ankle, it's going to help on up the chain -- the kinetic chain -- up to the lower back, knees, hips and lower back. With this orthotic, it holds my ankle perfectly vertical. That's the main difference between the two orthotics," said Klein. Feet change over time, especially for pregnant women. Klein believes 90 percent of Americans need orthotics.

Levitsky was no exception. "All we're doing is giving him the maximum amount of support that we can with his type of foot, but if you do that with a patient, the results are phenomenal," said Klein. "Not only did it help my heel spurs, which I came in for initially, but it also helped my shin splints, which I no longer had," said Levitsky.

If the orthotics you have now work, stick with them. It's all about finding what's right for you. Klein said with these new orthotics, the percentage of cortisone injections he has administered has been reduced by about 70 percent, and the need to surgically treat foot problems has also dramatically decreased.

These full contact orthotics cost about $540 and sometimes they are covered by insurance. Klein's office is located at 7050 West Palmetto Park Road in Boca Raton.