| Have you noticed that removable flap of material | | | | probably at the point where significant change will not |
| that lies inside those shoes you have just bought? | | | | occur. Children who are prescribed orthoses for their |
| Sometimes you may have noticed that this piece of | | | | foot pathologies will need new prescriptions due to |
| material has come loose and has bunched itself deep | | | | their rapid foot growth. Orthoses may eventually see |
| into the shoe. Why is such a section of material | | | | some wear and tear to them, and they can be |
| necessary? Exactly what is it? That shoe-bottom | | | | refurbished if necessary. |
| shaped material is called an insole. | | | | If both you and your doctor feel that orthoses are |
| Insoles or otherwise known as foot care orthoses | | | | the right therapy for your ailments, here are some |
| are tools that podiatrists can use to help to cushion | | | | factors that you might want to consider in order to |
| the foot and help to correct the biomechanics of | | | | get the most out of your treatment. |
| your gait. They may also be used to alleviate pain, | | | | - Bring your shoes to your podiatrist's office when |
| maintain and support the arch of your foot, | | | | you are called in to pick up your orthoses. This is a |
| accommodate foot deformity, and to relieve | | | | good way to make sure that the doctor sees these |
| pressure. | | | | insoles properly fit in your shoes. If minor |
| The world of insoles is populated by devices in all | | | | adjustments need to be made, your podiatrist will be |
| different sizes, various shapes and a vast multitude | | | | qualified to make them. |
| of colors! They also have different classifications | | | | - Whenever you go shoe shopping, make sure to |
| depending on their function. Foot care orthoses | | | | bring your orthoses with you (along with the socks |
| (especially custom made devices) work by slightly | | | | that you plan on wearing with the shoes). |
| changing the angle that your foot strikes the ground. | | | | - Make sure that you return for the follow-up |
| As a result, the biomechanics of your foot are slightly | | | | appointment with your podiatrist for an evaluation of |
| altered to better address the foot pathology that | | | | your orthoses. Your doctor will be able to ensure |
| you may be experiencing. | | | | that that both your orthoses and your feet are in |
| In typical store bought shoes, the insoles you find | | | | sync with each other. |
| really only have the purpose of cushioning your feet. | | | | As far as insoles go, there are so many options that |
| However, specialized insoles can be made to deal | | | | podiatrists can choose from to suit your needs. |
| with your problems and improve your ability to walk | | | | Insoles are grouped into classifications depending on |
| and maintain proper foot posture. | | | | their material and subsequent function. The basics of |
| What goes into determining whether an insole is right | | | | orthoses and their categories are as follows: |
| for you? | | | | Rigid Orthoses |
| - Biomechanical evaluation | | | | These insoles are called rigid because they are made |
| - X-rays | | | | of a stiff material like carbon fiber or plastic. Such |
| - Casting | | | | devices are primarily used in controlling foot function. |
| A biomechanical evaluation consists of a series of | | | | Rigid orthoses can run from heel to the ball of the |
| objective measurements of the movement of the | | | | foot or from the heel to the toes. These insoles are |
| joints in your hips, knees, ankles and feet. Since your | | | | supposed to be used in close-toed shoes which are |
| feet and their impact directly affects all the joints in | | | | mainly used in walking. |
| your leg, it only makes sense to measure all of the | | | | Rigid orthoses are durable devices are inflexible and |
| body parts involved to accurately gauge what kind | | | | resistant to deformity. They are hard to break and |
| of insole will work best for you. This evaluation also | | | | do not change their shape. Their major role is to |
| involves a gait analysis so that your podiatrist can | | | | control the motion in the two foot joints following |
| see how you walk without them and see if | | | | the ankle. They are usually constructed for patients |
| corrections need to be made. X-rays will give your | | | | experiencing ailments in the legs, thighs or lower back. |
| doctor an internal look into the bone structure to | | | | In addition, if a patient has a slight limb length |
| verify some of the elements suggested by the | | | | discrepancy (one limb is longer than the other) these |
| biomechanical evaluation. Finally, a cast either in | | | | orthoses can be considered to help with gait and |
| plaster or fiberglass is done to get an impression of | | | | posture. |
| your foot in its neutral position. Finally, all the | | | | Semi-rigid Orthoses |
| measurements and casts are used to assemble your | | | | This class of orthoses functions to maintain foot |
| custom orthosis! | | | | balance during sports activities. This type of insole |
| Insoles are a great non-invasive way to get you | | | | helps muscles and tendons of the foot to perform |
| walking and functioning correctly! Talk to your | | | | efficiently and guides the foot through functions. The |
| podiatrist if this is a treatment right for you! The | | | | soft material layers are strengthened by the rigid |
| majority of foot problems are associated with | | | | materials giving the insole the nature of flexibility and |
| malalignments or imbalances in your feet. Problems | | | | stiffness. |
| that you may experience may include pain, fatigue, | | | | Soft Orthoses |
| and/or deformity. Orthoses are a non-invasive way | | | | The materials that make up this type of insole are |
| to correct those imbalances and help you stride in | | | | soft, moldable and compressible. As a result of these |
| comfort. | | | | orthoses being easily deformed by pressures, they |
| Insoles are made of strong materials that can be | | | | are not as durable as rigid orthoses and need to be |
| subjected to the repetitive stresses of your body | | | | replaced more often. Soft insoles have multiple |
| weight and the impact of the ground upon them | | | | purposes: ease pressure off of certain foot areas, |
| without wearing down quickly. They are best used in | | | | enhance balance and absorb impact. |
| close-toed shoes that will prevent them from sliding | | | | This class of orthoses are particularly suited for |
| or slipping out! The beauty of these orthoses is that | | | | individuals with deformed feet where there is not |
| they can be transferred from one close-toed shoe to | | | | protective tissue to help with shock absorption, |
| another. So for individuals that play a variety of | | | | arthritic patients, and people who have diabetes. Soft |
| sports, these devices can easily be placed into all | | | | insoles are constructed with layers of soft materials |
| your athletic foot gear! | | | | making them substantially bulky. As a result, deep |
| Orthoses are durable and are not likely to be | | | | shoes or prescription footwear are necessary to |
| replaced if you are receiving them as an adult. As an | | | | accommodate these orthoses. |
| adult, your bones and the resulting foot structure are | | | | |