Our office hours are currently Monday, 10am-5:30pm, and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am-5pm.

If you would like to come in for care, please call the office at (301) 330-5666 and leave a voicemail with our answering service.

  • How to Know If You Need Custom Orthotics

    One of the most common questions we hear is:

    “Do I really need custom orthotics, or just better shoes?”

    The answer often depends on what you do for a living. Your feet are your equipment. Just like a chef needs a sharp knife or a surgeon needs precision tools, your feet need the right support to perform your specific job without injury. What a marathon runner needs is different from what a restaurant server needs.

    At Kentlands Foot & Ankle Center, we don’t just look at your foot; we look at your life! The following checklist was designed with that method in mind, so use it and see if your job is putting your feet at risk.

    1. The Healthcare Hero (Nurses & Doctors)

    Working 12-hour shifts on hard hospital floors, often clocking 15,000 steps a day? Ask yourself:

    • [ ] Do your heels throb the moment you sit in your car after a shift?
    • [ ] Do you feel a burning sensation in the ball of your foot (Metatarsalgia)?
    • [ ] Are your knees or lower back stiff when you wake up the next day?

    The Verdict: If you checked any of these, your arches are fatigue-failing under the long hours. Orthotics provide the “scaffold” to hold you up when your muscles get tired.

    2. The Restaurant Worker (Servers & Chefs)

    If you’re constantly pivoting, dodging, and standing on tile or concrete in non-slip shoes…

    • [ ] Do you have hard calluses or corns on your big toe or heel?
    • [ ] Do you constantly roll your ankles on uneven mats or wet floors?
    • [ ] Do your shins ache during the dinner rush?

    The Verdict: Restaurant work requires stability. Orthotics can correct the overpronation that causes calluses and stabilize your ankle against sprains.

    3. The Athlete (Runners & Court Sports)

    Your feet take up to 3x your body weight in force with every stride. If you run, consider:

    • [ ] Do you have recurring shin splints that won’t go away with ice?
    • [ ] Does one shoe wear down unevenly compared to the other?
    • [ ] Do you feel a “pinch” in your Achilles tendon when you push off?

    The Verdict: You are likely dealing with a biomechanical inefficiency. Custom orthotics align your Kinetic Chain, stopping the energy leaks that cause overuse injuries.

    4. The Active Senior (Pickleball & Walkers)

    Want to stay active, keep up with grandkids, and travel without limits? Ask yourself:

    • [ ] Do you feel like you are walking on “bony” feet (Fat Pad Atrophy)?
    • [ ] Do your bunions ache after a long walk?
    • [ ] Do you feel unsteady or fearful of tripping?

    The Verdict: As we age, our natural padding thins and ligaments stretch. Orthotics can replace that lost cushion and provide the proprioceptive feedback needed for balance.

    5. The Dancer (Ballet & Contemporary)

    Your art requires extreme flexibility, but that often comes at the cost of stability. Consider:

    • [ ] Do you have pain under the big toe joint (Sesamoiditis)?
    • [ ] Do you have “snapping” hips or ankles?
    • [ ] Do your arches cramp significantly after class?

    The Verdict: While you can’t wear orthotics in pointe shoes, wearing them in your street shoes is vital for recovery. They allow your overworked tendons to rest in a neutral position.

    The Takeaway

    If you recognize yourself in these checklists, your feet are trying to tell you something. Don’t ignore it! Instead of waiting for things to worsen, schedule your evaluation today.

    Still have questions? Get in touch for a comprehensive foot examination with Kentlands Foot & Ankle Center podiatrist Dr. Jon M. Sherman. To make your appointment, please call our office at 301-825-9697. You can also contact us online.

  • Custom Orthotics, Biomechanics, and You: Step into Better Health with 3D Scanning

    Our feet are the foundation of our bodies, and proper biomechanics – the way our muscles, bones, and joints work together – are essential for pain-free movement and overall well-being.

    Custom orthotics can play a vital role in optimizing your biomechanics, and advancements in 3D scanning technology are revolutionizing the way these supportive devices are created. In this post, Kentlands Foot & Ankle Center explains how new tech is providing orthotics that are better than ever for all kinds of issues, so read on to learn more!

    Understanding Biomechanics

    When your feet don’t function optimally, it can throw off your entire body’s alignment. This can lead to a variety of issues, including:

    Custom Orthotics: Tailored Support for Your Unique Needs

    Unlike over-the-counter inserts, custom orthotics are specifically designed to address your individual foot structure and biomechanical imbalances. They provide targeted support and cushioning, helping to:

    • Improve Weight Distribution: Evenly distribute pressure across your feet, reducing stress on specific areas.
    • Enhance Balance and Stability: Provide a stable base of support, improving balance and reducing the risk of falls.
    • Correct Gait Abnormalities: Guide your feet into a more natural and efficient gait pattern.
    • Prevent and Aid Recovery from Sports Injuries: Offer shock absorption and support to reduce strain on joints and soft tissues.

    The 3D Advantage: Precision and Personalization

    Traditional methods of creating orthotics, like plaster casting, can be messy and imprecise. 3D scanners, on the other hand, can capture a highly accurate digital model of your feet in seconds, providing a detailed blueprint for crafting truly customized orthotics.

    • Superior Accuracy: 3D scans capture the intricate contours of your feet with unparalleled precision.
    • Dynamic Assessment: Some advanced scanners can even analyze your gait while you walk or run, providing a dynamic assessment of your foot function.
    • Faster Turnaround: Digital models can be instantly sent to the lab, speeding up the fabrication process.

    The result? A pair of custom orthotics that fit your feet like a glove, providing optimal support and comfort in one.

    Interested in learning more? We’re always happy to help! Schedule a comprehensive foot examination with Kentlands Foot & Ankle Center podiatrist Dr. Jon M. Sherman. To make your appointment, please call our office at 301-825-9697.

  • Benefits of Custom Orthotics

    We have all heard the saying “one size fits all.” Unfortunately, when it comes to footwear, this does not apply. Sometimes you might notice that one foot feels slightly different from the other. It is due to each person having their own unique feet! At Kentland’s Foot and Ankle Center, patients are examined and treated based on their own unique feet. Our podiatry team recommends using foot orthotics if foot muscles, ligaments, bones, or tendons are not aligned well or the patient is experiencing discomfort. Orthotics are known to redistribute the pressure that your feet endure each day.

    Custom Orthotics VS Over-the-counter Orthotics

    Over-the-counter foot orthotics are usually found at drugstores. The use of orthotics, in general, can be very helpful in eliminating foot discomfort quickly. For chronic foot pain, we always advise our patients to get fitted for custom foot orthotics. Precise measurements of your foot are documented and sent to a lab where they will make your orthotics. It ensures that you receive all the support your feet need.

    Benefits of Custom Orthotics

    Custom orthotics are known to:

    1. Provide superior comfort allowing you to stand, walk and run comfortably
    2. Fight off pain in the lower extremities
    3. Improve balance by allowing your feet the support to maintain a functional position
    4. Enhance athletic performance
    5. Lower the risk of injury

    Custom orthotics help your feet feel better, but did you know they also help your overall body? Custom orthotics are also known to:

    1. Reduce ankle and leg pain
    2. Maintain balance
    3. Stand or walk for extended periods of pain-free
    4. Reduce lower back pain
    5. Lower the risk of calluses, corns, and bunions
    6. Improve posture

    Final Thoughts

    If you are experiencing chronic foot pain or discomfort in your lower extremities, call our Montgomery office at 301-330-5666 and schedule an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist Dr. Jon M. Sherman or visit our website for more information.