Varus vs. Valgus

In orthopedics (wikipedia), a varus deformity is a term for the inward angulation of the distal segment of a bone or joint. The opposite of varus is called valgus , in which the angulation is pointed outwards. However, when referring to both varus vs. valgus there is a much easier and simpler way to get the concept of these two problems.

Varus is the foot pointed "inwards", and sometimes can be seen as looking "bow legged". The varus foot is pointed "outwards", and can be seen as having "knocked knees. As you can see in the following picture, the varus foot and toes are largely pointed inwards, and the valgus foot and toes are pointed outwards.

Varus vs. Valgus Pictured

One good way to help alleviate the foot pains associated with varus or valgus foot problems is to get a very good custom orthotic from a good podiatrist or PT. A good doctor or PT will know whom to get the best custom orthotics from to help the issue. Only a good custom orthotic will be able to manipulate each foot custom from a mold, impression foam, or scanner. So always make sure to see someone who will honestly want to help.

NewGen Custom Orthotic

NewGen Advanced Orthotics Lab uses super high quality direct milling technology which actually cuts the orthotic from a solid block of polypropylene to EXACTING custom measures. If you would like to learn more about our orthotics and/or other products or have any questions please do not hesitate to call us at 1-800-756-0257.

What are Heel Spurs?

A heel spur is a calcium deposit on the underside of the heel bone. Although heel spurs are often painless, they can cause heel pain. Heel Spurs are also sometimes associated with plantar fasciitis because of the inflammation on the bottom of the foot. Heel spurs are often caused by strains on foot muscles and ligaments, stretching of the plantar fascia, and repeated tearing of the membrane that covers the heel bone. Heel spurs are especially common among athletes whose activities include large amounts of running and jumping. More than 90 percent of people get better with nonsurgical treatments. If conservative treatment fails to treat symptoms of heel spurs after a period of 9 to 12 months, surgery may be necessary to relieve pain and restore mobility. 

Heel Spur with Calcium Deposit

Below are some of the risk factors according to Web MD to getting a heel spur.

• Running or jogging, especially on hard surfaces.
• Poorly fitted or badly worn shoes, especially those lacking appropriate arch support.
• Excess weight and obesity.
• Walking Gait abnormalities,which place excessive stress on the heel bone, ligaments, and nerves near the heel.

 

A Good Custom Orthotic can help Heel Spurs



 Below are some of the treatment options for Heel Spurs.

• Exercise
• Good Custom Orthortic
• Anti-Inflammatory and Cortisone Injections
• Surgery (if needed)

 



NewGen Orthotic Lab's "Top Covers and Padding"

All of each NewGen Orthotics Lab's Custom Orthotics come with a custom "top cover" as well for both style and comfort. NewGen carries "seven" different top covers/paddings as well as many different colors to choose from. Below are the seven types of top covers we offer as well as a visual chart of them as well. Feel Free to contact us here at the office toll free at 1-800-756-0257 if interested in any products or any requests for samples.

When To Look At Getting Custom Orthotics

There are many foot problems a patient may have starting from bunions, to heel spurs, diabetic issues, and plantat fasciitis. However, a good custom orthotic may not help all or even many of the foot problems a patient may have. Below are the issues to look for where a good Custom Orthotic could help in.

 Metatarsalgia (pictured below) Effects Bones and Joints at Ball of the Foot

•  Plantar Fasciitis - a common painful inflammation of the sole of the foot, most easily recognized by its tendency to cause pain first thing in the morning.     

• Arthritis - which often affects joints of the foot.

• Diabetes - which intereferes with circulation in the feet, requiring custom shoe modifications or custom-built footwear.

• Metatarsalgia -a painful foot disorder that affects the bones and joints at the ball of the foot.

A good custom orthotic can help

NewGen Advanced Orthotics Custom Naot Shoes and Clogs

NewGen Orthotics Lab also sells Naot Sandals and Clogs with Custom Orthotics specially put in the shoes. Most sandals make it too tough to use orthotics with them, but we are able to make them fit into the footbed with ease. Feel Free to contact us toll free at 1-800-756-0257 if interested in finding out any more information or samples.

Happy Friday from NewGen Orthotics Lab!

Happy Friday from NewGen Orthotics! It's Hot Hot Hot outside today so make sure to stay well hydrated and enjoy the day. Call us Toll Free at 1-800-756-0257 to place an order with us or if you are interested in learning more about our products ....

NewGen Orthotics Website Link

"Choosing" the correct orthotic for Runners

As stated in the following article a good orthotic for running is similar to a Jaguar vehicle. If you find the correct model it's heaven, but if you end up with a Pinto, the foot problems not only remain, but could actually get progressively worse. NewGen Orthotics Lab strives to make sure that the patient will always be comfortable in their orthotics, but that they will always be getting better too. Our Direct Milled Orthotic is made thin , but too a EXACTING rigidity as well to make each orthotic "custom" for each patient. Below is a pretty great article from the New York Daily News on what to look for when searching for a running orthotic.

Link To Article

NewGen Orthotics Medical Lab

NewGen Orthotics Medical Lab makes custom orthotics from our own direct milled technology. NewGen Medical prides itself on making sure to stay on the cutting egde of technology, but quality being the top prioroty for it's products. Below are a a couple pictures of our orthotics which range from sporty, diabetic, to dress orthotics.

What are Heel Spurs?

A heel spur is a calcium deposit on the underside of the heel bone. Although heel spurs are often painless, they can cause heel pain. Heel Spurs are also sometimes associated with plantar fasciitis because of the inflammation on the bottom of the foot. Heel spurs are often caused by strains on foot muscles and ligaments, stretching of the plantar fascia, and repeated tearing of the membrane that covers the heel bone. Heel spurs are especially common among athletes whose activities include large amounts of running and jumping. More than 90 percent of people get better with nonsurgical treatments. If conservative treatment fails to treat symptoms of heel spurs after a period of 9 to 12 months, surgery may be necessary to relieve pain and restore mobility. 

Heel Spur with Calcium Deposit

Below are some of the risk factors according to Web MD to getting a heel spur.

• Running or jogging, especially on hard surfaces.
• Poorly fitted or badly worn shoes, especially those lacking appropriate arch support.
• Excess weight and obesity.
• Walking Gait abnormalities,which place excessive stress on the heel bone, ligaments, and nerves near the heel. 

A Good Custom Orthotic can help Heel Spurs

 

 Below are some of the treatment options for Heel Spurs.

• Exercise
• Good Custom Orthortic
• Anti-Inflammatory and Cortisone Injections
• Surgery (if needed)

A Little Information about NewGen Orthotics Lab

On this Tuesday, we at NewGen Advanced Orthotics Lab would like to share some information to you about our company and insights as to who we are ...



• Founded in November of 1998.
• Main Office is in Cordova, Tennesse right outside of Memphis.
• Over 15 Years of business has gained trust through Doctors and Patients.
• Direct Milled Lab - We manufacture our orthotics in warehouse from our Mill.
• Customer Care and Putting Care in the patient is a top priority with NewGen Orthotics.
• Call NewGen Orthotics Toll Free at 1-800-756-0257 for more information on prodcuts or anything.
• Our Orthotic Lines - Different Orthotics For Different Needs.

1. Still Growing (Children)
2. Sporty
3. Diabetic
4. Dress
5. AFO Braces







When To Look At Getting Custom Orthotics

There are many foot problems a patient may have starting from bunions, to heel spurs, diabetic issues, and plantat fasciitis. However, a good custom orthotic may not help all or even many of the foot problems a patient may have. Below are the issues to look for where a good Custom Orthotic could help in.

                                                                 Metatarsalgia (pictured below) Effects Bones and Joints at Ball of the Foot

 

•  Plantar Fasciitis - a common painful inflammation of the sole of the foot, most easily recognized by its tendency to cause pain first thing in the morning.     

• Arthritis - which often affects joints of the foot.

• Diabetes - which intereferes with circulation in the feet, requiring custom shoe modifications or custom-built footwear.

• Metatarsalgia -a painful foot disorder that affects the bones and joints at the ball of the foot.

A good custom orthotic can help

 

A Look At Plantar Fasciitis

Many people suffer from terrible foot pains in just their average everyday life. If the foot pains they experience continue to linger or get worse it might be wise to go see a specialist in this field which would be a podiatrist. Of all the different types of ailments a patient suffers from, one if not the most common chronic foot problem a patient deals with is plantar fasciitis. Plantar Fasciitis causes sharp pain on the plantar surface of the foot due to the inflammation of the plantar surface area shown below.

Inflammation of the Tissue on Foot Bottom

According to the National Library of Medicine, Plantar Fasciitis is inflammation of the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot. This tissue is called the plantar fascia. It connects the heel bone to the toes and creates the arch of the foot.

Problem Area of Plantar Fasciitis

Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis - 

• Custom Made Orthotics
• Wearing shoes with good support and cushions
• Advil or Tylenol
• Night splints to wear while sleeping to stretch the foot
• Wearing a boot cast for 3-6 weeks
• Heel and foot stretching exercises
• In some cases, surgery is needed

Out of all of these plans for treatment of Plantar Fasciitis the most common treatments for success are the use of custom orthotics (from a podiatrist), and also making sure to continue to wear good support and cushioned shoes. A good custom made orthotic, in the majority of the cases should provide good support, by influencing the foot position to a more comfortable and natural state. NewGen Orthotics offers a custom orthotic made to help patients with problems such as Plantar Fasciitis. The added custom padded or non padded postings and top cover options provides an ideal orthotic help for someone with plantar fasciitis.

New Gen Custom Orthotic

Happy 4th of July from NewGen!

Happy 4th of July from NewGen Orthotics Lab! Hope everyone has a great holiday full of great food, awesome weather, and good times with family and friends!

The Evolution of Foot Casting ...

The evolution of the different ways of foot casting is a lot like any change to a deisgned business model. It is good that business is not stagnant and is trying to evolve into new and better ways to help the consumer ,but it is a tricky hill to come down from. The main thing that a consumer needs to think about it is rationally thinking about what these "newer" ideas and "practices" are, and if they are really at the "heart" of helping.

The Heart of Medical Care

This is no different in the orthotics field where the different ways of casting for orthotics can be looked at for either helping or hurting the patient's chances of being cared for. Since the 1960's the orthotics model of casting has been changed from plaster casting , to Foam Impression, to now a new digital way of casting which is a 3D Scanner. The Good News? NewGen Advanced Orthotics Lab has found that although there have been trend changes in orthotic casting throughout the last 50 or so years, that the quality of these changes has actually trended better in the care for the patient.

From This (Plaster Casting)

 

The newer 3D Foot Scanners seem to actually be able to catch the foot image in a better capacity then before and without use of wasted materials such as Foam Boxes and Plaster Casts. The ingenious move from the physical materials having to be shipped from Dr. to Lab is now changing.Doctors now (podiatrists) are being able to, in one single mouse click send the very ACCURATE patient info to the orthotics labs in seconds I believe is a great thing.

To Now (3D Foot Scanning)

 

As Technology shapes some of the world in which we live in there will be both good and bad ideas for moving forward. At NewGen Advanced Orthotics though , we do believe the evolution from plaster casting and Foam Impression Boxes to the new foot scanners is definitely a step in the right direction ...

 

Different "Ways of Casting" For Foot Orthotics

An orthotic foot lab such as NewGen Advanced Orthotics Lab out of Cordova, Tennessee has to always make sure to stay up to date with the newest ways of casting a foot for a podiatrist. Casting or Foot Impressions are basically ways of making a very accurate image of the patients foot, which in effect becomes basically like a blueprint for an orthotic device. Below are the different types of castings being offered as well as a little info of each. Each podiatrist uses different methods mostly based on which laboratory makes their orthotics for them. This article mostly used for education, but also to make podiatrists as well as labs in general think of which castings methods offer the best ideal for their patients.

1. Plaster Casting - Plaster Casting is basically the set standard since the 1960's in which a patient is seated in a medical office with a Dr. who takes the impression of the patients foot using a plaster paris cast. The wet cast eventually dries leaving the cast dry and accurate for the orthotic being made. Below is the step by step way plaster casting is done.



     2) Impression Foam - Impression Foam is a newer way of casting for orthotics than the plaster casting method. Many Podiatrists these days changed over from plaster casting to Impression Foam Boxes. The Impression Foam method is completed by the doctor placing the foot into the proper position inside the Impression Foam. The impression left after the patient steps out of the foam box is what is used to make a custom orthotic. The advantages over the plaster casting method? The Impression Foam Method is MUCH cleaner and does not use any wet materials. Impression Foam way of casting is also very accurate. Here is a picture of the Impression Casting Method.

 

    3) 3D Foot Scanner - The 3D Foot Scanner Model of Casting or Making Foot Impressions is the newest and also very popular way of casting for orthotics. The 3D foot scanner is basically what is says. A patient puts their foot onto the scanner and the scanner makes a 3D Image of the foot with very good accuracy. The image is then usually put onto the podiatrists computer where the "custom" orthotic can be made from the scanner's image of the foot. The 3D scanner is gaining fast in popularity and in usage around the world. The reason podiatrist's like the 3D Scanner way of casting orthotics is that it is Super Fast, Easy To Use, Uses No Materials to Send out to Labs, and the impressions can be sent instantly through the computer to a lab not using any shipping or turn around days. Below is a picture of the 3D Scanner way of casting for orthotics.