Orthopedic insoles - who needs them and why, subtleties of choice

When is buying insoles a necessity?

Every day our legs are subjected to colossal loads, and therefore by the evening our limbs are exhausted from aching pain and fatigue. Congenital or acquired diseases, such as flat feet or arthritis, can add to the discomfort. Orthopedic insoles will help your body move with a feeling of ease, eliminating discomfort.

Orthopedic insoles are indicated in the following cases:

pain in the feet, which manifests itself against the background of deformities;
staying on your feet for a long time, after which a wild feeling of fatigue arises. Hairdressers, teachers, consultants and salespeople are at risk;
uncomfortable shoes leading to chafing, calluses and wounds;
pregnancy - the load on the spine and limbs increases, flattening of the legs may occur;
arthritis – there is damage to the joints on the feet and knees. Insoles can reduce or prevent the development of deformities;
osteosclerosis – there is a change in bone strength and severe pain, insoles allow you to restore the normal position of the limbs;
heel spur is a pathological growth of bone tissue that is associated with increased load on the feet. Insoles restore proper metabolism and eliminate pain.

Fact: the use of insoles can reduce stress on joints, eliminate fatigue syndrome, provide stability when walking, improve blood flow in the extremities, and prevent musculoskeletal disorders.

Types of orthopedic insoles

Before purchasing orthopedic insoles, it is imperative to consult with an orthopedist. Only a doctor will be able to assess the condition of the foot and select the required type of insoles based on the identified disorders. Since there are many types of orthopedic insoles, there is a high probability of choosing products that not only will not give any results, but will also worsen the condition of the foot.

Orthopedic insoles come in standard types, which differ only in size. Custom orthopedic insoles are made to order. Despite the fact that their cost is much higher, they give a much more pronounced effect. They are made from a custom impression of your foot. During the creation process, all necessary criteria are taken into account: the degree of expression of the arches, the level of elasticity, gait characteristics, body weight, spinal diseases, etc. To make custom insoles, the orthopedist performs a biometric and biomechanical diagnosis of your feet.

According to their purpose, insoles are divided into:

Preventative - they are usually prescribed to prevent various types of deformities, support arches and proper muscle tone. This type of insoles is quite thin, they have a flexible and soft structure. Their price is significantly lower than other types;
Therapeutic ones have a rather complex design. They include several additional rollers and frame recesses. There are several types of therapeutic insoles, depending on the type of foot deformity or disease.

Orthopedic insoles have a different design for each type of shoe. There are insoles for open or closed shoes, shoes with heels, etc.

Types of insoles and materials used

Typically, insoles are classified into the following groups:

individual - made to order, taking into account the specific problem of the client and the structural features of the limbs;
factory- made - finished goods that have all the necessary medical elements and reduce the degree of burden;
models with the possibility of change - insoles that allow you to design some elements in accordance with the needs of the user.

The main materials used for the production of insoles are leather, velor and suede. The materials are practically not subject to wear. Silicone models have become popular lately. They adapt well to the curve of the foot and have reduced elasticity.

What are the differences between insole designs?

Insoles can be hard, framed, or soft, frameless. The former include solid structures. They serve to support the arch of the foot with developing flat feet and are suitable for those who lead an active lifestyle and spend a lot of time on their feet. Such insoles should be selected very carefully, otherwise they can cause discomfort.

Soft insoles are used in the absence of clearly defined disorders. They evenly distribute the load across the foot, relieve it, protect tendons and ligaments, but do not provide shock absorption. Soft insoles are recommended for pregnant women and people with diabetes.

How to choose insoles - advice from experts

All products have good shock-absorbing properties and a slight massage effect. However, even excellent insoles, if chosen incorrectly, will not have a positive effect. When choosing a model, you should rely on the basic principles:

the product must fit perfectly;
the product must accurately follow the contour of the shoes used and fit snugly to the base;
for some types of flat feet, you should choose products with a heel pad;
if there are minor problems, it is recommended to use anatomically shaped insoles;
pay attention to the material of the product. Experts recommend choosing leather products or models made of polymer materials.

If the insoles were chosen incorrectly, you will feel discomfort when walking, and the pain will not go away. Therefore, it is so important to entrust the selection of products to professionals who will take into account all the features and wishes of the client.

Brief conclusion

Firstly, you need to know for what purpose an orthopedic insole is needed (treatment, prevention, comfortable walking).
Secondly, decide on the type of insole and its material.
Thirdly, you need to know your foot size.
Then you need to consult a doctor in order to accurately determine the insole model you need.
If you have a certain disease, then only a doctor will tell you what exactly is right for you (in this case it is better not to skimp on money, health is everything to us).

Depending on the type of shoe

Special models are created for different seasons of the year. Winter ones are the thickest and can be supplemented with fur. Summer ones are light and invisible, fixed to the sole using an adhesive composition. Insoles for open backless shoes should have a therapeutic and preventive effect. Pros: correct defects, maintain an aesthetic appearance. Cons: not suitable for treating heel spurs.

Sports models have a cup-shaped heel. Advantages: provide shock absorption and protection against microbes. This also includes antibacterial products containing silver ions, activated carbon, and genuine leather. The components protect feet from unpleasant odor, sweat, and fungal infections. Disadvantages: there is a risk of buying a fake.

For closed, dress shoes, as well as high-heeled shoes, thin orthopedic insoles or semi-insoles are ideal. These liners are made from combined materials. The latex base is covered with natural leather.

The half-insole is suitable for open sandals. Pros: thanks to the arch-supporting shape, reliable support for the foot is provided, and the impact load on the spinal column and joints is reduced. An adhesive sticker is attached to the sole, so the products are completely invisible. Cons: do not always fit tightly in shoes.

When choosing insoles for open shoes, you should give preference to colorless products.

Winter

Summer

Insoles for open shoes

Sports

For closed shoes

What are the sizes of insoles?

Along with full-size models for the entire length of the foot, there are small-sized products. These can be half-insoles - they are suitable for summer, open shoes, as well as for shoes with heels, where a full-size insole does not fit.

Another option is heel pads, their use is indicated in the case of heel spurs, as well as for the treatment of cracks and corns, by increasing shock absorption in the heel of the foot. The main disadvantage of such models is the local nature of the impact, as well as possible difficulties with fixing the orthosis in shoes.

Orthopedic orthoses for children

Most parents think that orthopedic structures for children are necessary when the baby has problems with his legs, but this is not so. Orthoses are necessary to prevent them from developing foot defects, clubfoot and flat feet. Most often, insoles for babies do not fit the entire length of the foot, but ¾ of it. Experts attribute this to the fact that curvatures and pathological changes most often affect the heel.

The main task of this design is the correct formation of the instep of the foot. This device will allow the lower limbs not to bend towards the inner edge of the foot.

High-quality insoles are made for each person according to individual measurements, so that the insole takes on the natural shape of the foot. Good arch supports should be light in weight, sufficiently durable, and suitable for any type of shoe. Before using a specific brand of orthoses, it is advisable to obtain the recommendations of your doctor.

Service life and care tips

The duration of use of the devices is individual and depends on the person’s weight, gait characteristics, frequency of wearing, and physical activity. To maintain the functionality of the insoles, it is necessary to provide them with proper care:

Do not wash the earbuds with running water or machine wash them.
To remove dirt, simply wipe the surface with a soft cloth soaked in soapy water. Leather models are cleaned with alcohol. Detergents are not used because they contain a large number of harmful components.
Drying is done daily and after wet cleansing, always in a natural way; products should not be hung on a radiator or placed in direct sunlight.
If the insoles get wet along with your shoes, do not throw them away. The orthoses are made from waterproof materials, so this will not affect their functionality in any way. After drying, they will be ready for use again.

Hard insoles require careful care following the recommendations given. Damage caused by washing and drying will soon render the devices unusable.

Athletes can wear insoles for up to 2 years, ordinary people - up to 5 years. Gel and plastic products need to be replaced the fastest; they are designed for 6 months of use. Leather ones will last at least a year.

Medical indications for use

The selection of orthopedic insoles is made on the basis of diagnosed pathologies. The most common ones include:

Flat feet. The disease is more common than others and mainly affects women. Advanced forms of the disease lead to the development of arthrosis and spinal deformation.
Clubfoot. A congenital defect in which the feet turn outward or inward.
Finger deformities. The most common problem is hammertoes; the disease often develops due to regular wearing of tight shoes.
Heel spur. It can accompany flat feet and is a bony protrusion that is painful when pressing on the heel.
Diabetic foot. A complication of diabetes mellitus manifests itself in the form of ulcerative-necrotic lesions of the skin, soft tissues, and in advanced cases, bones.
Calluses. Rough areas of skin caused by increased pressure or friction.
Corns. Thickened round spots form on the soles, toes or between them.
Hyperhydrolysis. Increased sweating due to disruption of the sweat glands. Often accompanied by an unpleasant odor.

Foot insoles help get rid of the listed defects or significantly improve the condition of patients’ feet. Used as prescribed by a doctor.

Causes of flat feet

Mobility, strength, and health of the feet largely depend on the condition of the arches. These “dimples” on the sole can be of different sizes. If the height of the arch is below the statistical norm, we can talk about flat feet. The reasons for this condition are divided into three large groups:

Physiological . The stage of development of a child's foot when the insteps are filled with fatty tissue and the sole looks smooth. Permissible up to 4-6 years, most often only requires prevention.
Congenital pathological . Impaired development of bones, ligaments, and muscles due to genetic or intrauterine anomalies.
Acquired pathological . Reduced depreciation of the sole after a fracture, neurological, inflammatory disorder, against the background of physical overload, obesity.

The prognosis for cure also depends on the degree and type of pathology. In our country, the disease is divided into 3 degrees depending on the results of x-rays of the feet in a standing position. The first degree is the “simplest” and most common, the third is the most pronounced and is not so common.

The name of the type of flatfoot depends on which arch of the foot is reduced: longitudinal, transverse or both:

Longitudinal : the largest arch suffers, the instep along the inner surface of the foot from the heel to the toes.
Transverse : spreading out the anterior region just in front of the bases of the toes.
Combined : reducing the height of both arches.

Most people have a combination of longitudinal and transverse types with a predominance of one form or another.

What can be replaced

Orthopedic devices allow you to correct not only the entire foot, but also individual problem areas. There are several types of such products:

Arch support insoles. Small inserts to correct the position of the feet when wearing shoes.
Inserts for flat feet. Correctors with a soft shock absorber reduce the load on the base of the fingers. The convex element is used to treat grade 1 and 2 foot deformities.
Interdigital septa. Recommended for joint deformities and prevents friction when using narrow shoes.
Gel rings. Protects against the formation of calluses.
Thumb protectors. Fixed on the phalanx, preventing damage to the joints.
Valgus splints. Used at night to protect against inward deviation of the little finger and the development of hallux valgus. If signs of the disease have already appeared, bandages slow down its development.

Properly selected products help fight various pathologies and defects. Suitable for conservative therapy.

Arch support insoles

Flat foot inserts

Interdigital septa

Gel rings

Thumb protectors

Valgus splints