When to Consider Orthotics [Video]

About the video: When should I consider an insert or an orthotic?

If you’re wondering whether your feet could benefit from a shoe insole or orthotic, listen to Summit Orthopedics’ experts share some tips and background to help you decide. Featuring sports medicine specialists and avid runners Angela Voight, M.D., and Kirk Scofield, M.D.

Meet Dr. Angela Voight

Dr. Voight’s approach:“My goal is to help people return to the activities they love as quickly and safely as possible. I want patients to feel like they are well cared for, that their concerns are heard, and that we work together to find the best treatment plan.”

Dr. Voight’s education: Dr. Voight received her undergraduate degree from Bethel University in Arden Hills, Minnesota and University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She received her medical degree from the University of Minnesota and her residency with St. John’s Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program connected to the University of Minnesota. Additionally, she completed a sports medicine fellowship at the University of California in San Diego, California. A fellowship is the highest level of advanced professional training for physicians.

Meet Dr. Kirk Scofield

Dr. Scofield’s education: Dr. Scofield completed his undergraduate studies at Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, Washington. He attended medical school and received his degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, Washington. His residency was at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, Colorado. He completed his fellowship in primary care sports medicine from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A fellowship is the highest level of advanced professional training for physicians.

Summit Orthopedics offers comprehensive sports medicine expertise

From Olympians to pro athletes to kids in youth sports and those that just want to be more active—Summit Orthopedics delivers expert care by fellowship-trained sports medicine physicians. If you are recently injured or concerned about ongoing pain, Summit Orthopedics sports medicine specialists have the expertise to evaluate your discomfort and develop a plan to quickly and safely help you get back to being active.

Start your journey to stronger, healthier athletic condition. Find your sports medicine expert, request an appointment online, or call us at (651) 968–5201 to schedule a sports medicine consultation.

Summit has convenient locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We have state-of-the-art centers for comprehensive orthopedic care in Eagan, MN, Vadnais Heights, MN, Plymouth, MN, and Woodbury, MN, as well as several additional community clinics.

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• Walking To Better Spine Health
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Additional resources for you

Visit our Running Section with expert advice for runners, by runners. You’ll find more articles on running, our running video series, and more.

Video Transcription

In general, I don’t recommend orthotics unless a runner has had a specific injury and I feel that they would benefit from more support and it may even be temporary. For common conditions like plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis or problems with the tendons in your ankle. A lot of times I will recommend an orthotic and that’s something you can either use for a while, until your foot pain improves or if it’s something that you find is more comfortable and it helps with your running form that it’s something that you can stay in. So, I don’t automatically recommend orthotics for everyone that has a flat foot or everyone that pronates. I don’t think that’s necessary. I think it can be a useful tool more to support an injured foot or ankle and to help if you’ve had certain type of injuries, but I think it’s necessary for everyone to have. I rarely prescribe orthotics for runners. Most of the time if possible, I think it’s better to take allow a runner to let their foot do what it’s supposed to do. Some people have serious problems with their feet and occasionally just using a certain type of shoe works best for that and rarely an orthotic inside of a shoe can be helpful, but that would be for a real minority of people.

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