Why do you need orthopedic insoles and how to choose them

What are orthopedic insoles and why are they needed?

Orthopedic insoles are embossed shoe inserts. Not everyone needs them. However, in some cases, the relief of orthopedic insoles plays an important role and can significantly facilitateWhat are Prescription Custom Orthotics? / APMA man's life.

The main task of orthopedic insoles is to provide the foot with proper support. It helps to relieve pressure on damaged areas of the sole or correct existing anomalies in the foot.

Who needs orthopedic insoles

A classic example of a disorder in which it is desirable to wear orthopedic insoles is flat feet. Normally, part of the foot on the inside is raised relative to the sole. This site is called an arch by orthopedists.Flat Feet / Cleveland Clinic. It is needed in order to provide shock absorption when walking and running. With flat feet, there is almost no arch. As a result, foot cushioning is poor. And this leads to increased stress on the foot, muscles and joints of the lower extremities.

People with flat feet often experience pain in the feet when walking, complain of aching legs, cramps, and changes in gait. In addition, flat feet increase the risk of developing arthritis, bone spurs, corns, and calluses.

Embossed orthopedic insoles shapeJun Na Zhai, Yu Sheng Qiu, and Jue Wang. Effects of orthotic insoles on adults with flexible flatfoot under different walking conditions / Journal of physical therapy science missing arch, supporting the foot in the correct position. This relieves the person from pain when walking and helps reduce the risks of other musculoskeletal disorders.

But flat feet are far from the only example of the use of orthopedic insoles. Orthopedists list 1. Do I need orthotics? What kind? / Harvard Health Publishing
2. What are Prescription Custom Orthotics? / APMA diseases and symptoms for which it makes sense to think about buying earbuds. Here they are:

• Regular back pain. They can be caused by excessive stress on the spine and core muscles caused by improper positioning of the foot while walking.
• Knee pain.
• Pain in the heel, deformity of the toes, constantly appearing corns.
• Arthritis.
• Diabetes. With this condition, people sometimes lose sensitivity in their legs (this condition is known as diabetic neuropathy), due to which it is not always understood that it is necessary to change posture and reduce the load on the feet. In this case, orthopedic insoles help to reduce excessive pressure on the foot - otherwise it can lead to the formation of calluses and even ulcers on the sole.
• Recent injuries to the feet and ankles.

How to choose orthopedic insoles

Globally, there are only two options:

• To make insoles to order from an orthopedist.
• Buy finished products in the store.

The most competent way, of course, is the first. For the reason that the orthopedic specialist will first examine in detailWhat are Prescription Custom Orthotics? / APMA your symptoms and complaints about well-being, look into the medical history, assess the condition and biomechanics of the feet (how they work and what kind of load they experience when walking or running), make an impression of them or simulate a project on computer. Based on the results of the examination and on the basis of an impression or modeling, unique orthopedic insoles will be made for you, which will effectively solve your problem.

But an individual order also has a minus - the price. The cost of orthopedic insoles created for a specific foot can reach 4–5 thousand rubles.

It is much easier and cheaper to buy ready-made shoe liners. Embossed insoles can be found in drug stores, shoe stores, and even regular supermarkets.

Naturally, they will not fit your foot. Therefore, experts do not considerWhat are Prescription Custom Orthotics? / APMA such insoles are orthopedic (whatever the advertisement calls them), and one should not expect much efficiency from them. Nevertheless, the insoles are attractive for their low cost and availability. Orthopedists consider them to be a good trial option: if the problem is small - for example, you are upset by regularly appearing calluses or fatigue in the legs, you can experiment with store liners for a start.

If you decide to opt for this particular option, make your purchase consciously. Here's what the American Orthopedic Medical Association recommends.

Be sure to "try on" the insole

I mean, try fitting it into the shoes you plan to use. If the insole will fit like a glove, this is a good option. If you are unable to install it (for example, the liner has to be folded, or it does not completely cover the inner surface of the shoe), such a liner will be ineffective.

Remember the purpose for which you need the insole

If you want to get rid of corns, diabetic ulcers or prevent their appearance, you need to choose the so-called accommodating insoles - they are made of soft shock-absorbing material. If your goal is to correct flat feet or other features of the foot, you will need rigid functional products: their relief should really support the foot, and not bend under your weight.

There is an easy wayWhat are orthotics and how do they benefit you / Neuhaus Foot & Ankle. Podiatrists in Nashville and across Middle Tennessee determine what your chosen liner is for. If you can easily bend the insole at any point, this is an accommodating option. He cannot cope with the support of the foot.

Experience the insole

This is not always possible. However, if the store allows you to install the liner in the shoe and walk in it, be sure to use this and take a couple of steps. You should be comfortable. Even the slightest pressure or discomfort is a sure sign that the insole is not fitting.

Don't chase cheapness

The cheaper the insole, the higher the riskWhat are orthotics and how do they benefit you / Neuhaus Foot & Ankle, Nashville, TNthat within a few days the inexpensive memory foam, EVA EVA (EVA, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) is a versatile polymer material that feels like soft, airy rubber. , silicone, gel or other filler will shrink under your weight. Thus, the liner will lose its cushioning properties and you will have to buy a new one.

In comparison, custom-made orthopedic insoles have a lifespan ofHow Long Do Orthotics Last? / Applied Biomechanics 2-3 years old. So, in the long run, custom, truly orthopedic earbuds may be a more economical option than the cheap store-bought ones.

What orthopedic insoles can you buy

• Orthopedic frame insoles Bauerfeind ErgoPad Weightflex 2, 6 392 rubles →
• Orthopedic arch-supporting insoles Orto Mix Tech, 5 545 rubles →
• Individual orthopedic insoles "Blagomed" to order, 4 680 rubles →
• Orthopedic half insoles for open shoes SolaPro Minima, 4 271 rubles →
• Orthopedic insoles for high-heeled shoes from Medi, 3 330 rubles →
• Shock-absorbing half insoles with an antibacterial coating against calluses from "Trives", 919 rubles →