Orthopedic insoles are shoe inserts made of special materials that are used for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the legs and feet. These products have medical purposes and help with various joint pains, flat feet, and deformities in the structure of bones. It is proposed to consider how to choose the right insole to make it comfortable to wear shoes, and study the definition of flat feet.
To understand what kind of orthopedic insoles to get, you need to know for what individual purposes to choose them. There are two main options: prevention and treatment.
The concept of flat feet and its manifestation
Flat feet are one of the most serious foot diseases. A healthy foot has characteristic features - there is an arch between the heel and the area of the toes in the foot. The main purpose of the foot is cushioning while walking or running. In a healthy person, the load when walking initially falls on the heel, then passes through the entire surface and is pushed off from the big toe. When the shape of the arch of the foot changes, it becomes flatter - this condition is called flat feet. In this case, the load on the musculoskeletal system is distributed incorrectly, resulting in its deformation.
Diagnostics
People who have flat feet may not experience any symptoms and do not need to see a podiatrist. However, if there are certain signs, such as a visually flat foot, pain in the feet, ankles or lower extremities, a feeling of tension in the legs, heaviness in the legs, especially after exercise, then it is necessary to consult an orthopedic doctor.
Diagnosing flat feet is not difficult for a qualified doctor, who can make such a diagnosis based on an examination of the patient. The doctor will evaluate the person’s gait, the position of the foot to the surface, and evaluate the functional state of each leg.
In some cases, the doctor may prescribe an x-ray, CT scan or MRI, especially if it is necessary to determine the genesis of flat feet. Podography also gives a good result, which allows you to assess the degree of flatfoot .
Purpose of orthopedic insoles
It is quite possible to cure flat feet at the initial stage of development. One of the elements of such treatment is the use of special orthopedic insoles. Orthopedic insoles for flat feet allow you to change the shape of the foot, returning it to its original state. The only condition that must be met is that these insoles must be used constantly.
In addition, insoles are also an indispensable material for the prevention of flat feet. When buying shoes, many people feel some discomfort. This is explained by the fact that the factory insole does not fully perform the functions that it should perform. Any insole should support the correct shape of the foot. But all factory insoles are designed for the average needs of the population (and if we are talking about cheap shoes, then the insoles here are not designed for anything at all). We have now noted household insoles for everyday use, but this also applies to orthopedic insoles. Many companies produce them today, but such products cannot always be called high-quality.
The main purpose of orthopedic insoles for flat feet is to restore the normal shape of the foot. It is for this reason that such insoles need to be selected individually. Only the attending physician can help with this. First, he must determine to what extent flat feet are developed in a particular patient. Today, there are 3 degrees of this disease, distinguished by the level of the plane and the presence of pain in the patient himself. Often, flat feet do not bring any discomfort, but the negative consequences will sooner or later make themselves felt - if the musculoskeletal system is deformed, then it will be too late to correct anything. That is why, if flat feet are detected, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible, and after receiving recommendations, follow them carefully.
Purchasing standard and custom insoles
Insoles that help solve the problem of flat feet can be selected in retail stores of specialized products, in pharmacies, or picked up in online stores. It is easy to place an individual order for the production of half-insoles, which is quite convenient. An experienced specialist will tell you which insoles to choose for a certain foot shape and determine the cost. Making custom-made half-insoles is considered an acceptable option for correcting flat feet.
An insole made in a special way to treat the shape of the foot is ideal in the fight against flat feet, including important components:
- the insole will support the arches of the feet while walking;
- will eliminate the inconvenience experienced when walking without insoles;
- will have a shock-absorbing effect on the foot.
Individual cast
The only possible disadvantage of purchasing such a half-insole is that it is overpriced compared to ready-made insoles. The price of insoles made individually according to the client’s parameters is approximately 4-5 times higher than the price of similar products in stores and pharmacies.
If making custom insoles is clearly more expensive than the money planned for the purchase, you can choose a finished product. To make the right choice, consider:
- If there is a transverse disorder of the foot, first of all they buy a therapeutic insole, where high support is found in the front part;
- If there are deviations in the heel bone, take into account the size and height of the wedges located directly under the heel;
- If a longitudinal disorder of the foot is developed, emphasis is placed on the size of the instep and its height.
Important indicators - the rise of the roll in the insole, the presence of an arch support or a depression in the heel - are taken into account in each finished product intended for the treatment of longitudinal-transverse flatfoot.
Some insoles manufacturers add additional parameters to the product as a bonus, which do not affect the treatment of longitudinal-transverse flatfoot, but become a pleasant addition to the purchase. Such additions include impregnation with an antibacterial layer, or a sorbent layer designed to absorb moisture. Such treatment bonuses will help you cope with the cleanliness and hygiene of your feet.
How is the selection of individual insoles organized?
Of course, custom orthopedic insoles for the treatment of flat feet are a little more expensive than factory ones. But their main advantage is that custom insoles are designed for a specific person. Moreover, if any deviations are detected during the treatment process, the shape of such an insole can be simply changed. In turn, factory insoles are practically not amenable to design changes (and if they are, then within an extremely limited framework).
Insoles are selected exclusively with the participation of a doctor. For example, in case of valgus flatfoot, orthopedic insoles should be designed taking into account the fact that in addition to treating the underlying disease, it is also necessary to get rid of the protruding bone. In addition, valgus flatfoot is often accompanied by pain during treatment. In general, conservative treatment in this case rarely results in complete relief from the disease. Therefore, if the patient really wants to be cured, he will have to endure discomfort in the foot area for some time. The duration of the discomfort is usually about two weeks. The reason for the discomfort is due to the fact that the foot has an almost completely flat shape and needs to be changed. Since the changes are associated with changes in the position of the joints, this process cannot be painless.
When selecting orthopedic insoles for longitudinal flat feet, the doctor must take into account the fact that on one side the foot is unlikely to have a completely flat position (although such cases do occur). Accordingly, this factor must be taken into account when making insoles. For transverse flatfoot, insoles are made depending on the severity. Thus, it is not difficult to understand that the manufacture of individual orthopedic insoles is a rather complex matter, so a particularly careful approach is required. To facilitate the manufacturing process, the doctor uses a cast of the patient's foot. This cast can be made either in the form of a natural model of the foot or in the form of an image on a computer. It is quite possible that when selecting insoles you will find out that you can choose one of the factory models. If the patient has just such a case, then a specific model will be recommended to him and he will be sent to the nearest pharmacy.
If the insole needs to be made separately, the patient will have to wait several days. After manufacturing, the orthopedist tries on the insole and gives the patient further recommendations on its use.
High quality - effective treatment
In our online store you can order a longitudinal-transverse instep support, the price of which is affordable for people with modest incomes. At the same time, the products will be of high quality and safe.
For the production of orthopedic devices, materials are used that have suitable sanitary, hygienic and performance properties:
- ventilation - allows air to pass through, allowing the skin to breathe;
- moisture-absorbing - absorbs sweat and leaves feet dry;
- deodorization - eliminates unpleasant odors;
- antiseptic effect - prevents the growth of fungus;
- strength - lasts for more than one season, does not deform;
- Hygiene - products can be washed or washed.
A good arch support for the longitudinal arch of the foot does not cause discomfort when walking if chosen correctly.
Different shoes require different orthopedic devices, so we recommend choosing several products: for daily shoes, sports shoes, winter boots. Only with constant supination using high-quality devices is it possible to effectively treat flat feet. show more
Features of choosing children's orthopedic insoles
For children, orthopedic insoles are made with certain features. Since children's bodies are constantly changing, insoles must also be flexible enough. They will have to be used for quite a long time, so they must be made of high-quality material. In general, the ideal material for orthopedic insoles is leather. But nowadays its analogues are no less widely used.
The service life of children's insoles (as well as those of adults) is about 2 years. And if this period is not enough for adults (after all, the leg no longer grows), then for children this can rather be called an advantage. In a couple of years, the child’s foot will grow and the insole will have to be changed in any case.
How much can good insoles cost?
As already noted, custom orthopedic insoles are more expensive than factory ones. But in any case, I would like to note the fact that the insoles will have to be changed infrequently, so the cost is quite justified. In general, the cost is determined based on several parameters. But good insoles definitely cannot be cheap. Therefore, products of dubious manufacture (when choosing branded products) should not be trusted, otherwise such savings will result in the pointlessness of using such insoles.
In general, the easiest way is to see an orthopedist. If factory insoles are suitable for the patient, he will advise the most acceptable manufacturer. Well, in the case of an individual order, all aspects regarding the price will be agreed upon in advance.
Types of arch supports for flat feet
Orthopedic longitudinal-transverse instep supports are available in different designs:
- insoles - laid out along the entire length of the foot;
- half insoles - installed under the arch and heel;
- pelota or metatarsal ridges - are laid exactly under the arch.
When choosing which transverse arch support to buy, pay attention to the stage of flat feet, the presence of other foot problems, and the features of the shoe. For example, with a pronounced flattening of the arch, silicone half-insoles with support are suitable for narrow dress shoes with heels, but for sports shoes such products will not fit the shape. For sneakers, it is better to choose full-profile insoles, with high sides, or products labeled “sport.” If you cannot choose an instep support, contact our consultant online or by phone.
Can orthopedic insoles cure flat feet?
There is no clear answer to the question of whether orthopedic insoles can completely cure flat feet. In this case, everything depends on the stage of the disease. At the initial stage (with flat feet of 1 and 2 degrees), complete recovery is quite possible. Moreover, orthopedic insoles in this case can also be used to prevent the disease. If grade 3 develops, complete recovery can only be achieved through surgery. But here, too, orthopedic insoles will be an additional element used during rehabilitation. Therefore, you need to use them in any case if you want to return to normal life and restore the shape of your foot.
Types of insoles by design
By design, soft and hard orthosoles are distinguished.
- Frameless (soft) products are aimed at preventing orthopedic problems or when they are mild. These insoles are an excellent option for pregnant women, people with diabetes, those with heel spurs, and corns. Frameless insoles are good for lightweight shoes and take up little space.
- Rigid insoles (with frame) have enhanced shock absorption in the form of a semi-rigid frame. Suitable for those who lead an active lifestyle and play sports. Such insoles prevent the development of flat feet, calluses and corns.