Purchasing shoes of low quality, we do not think about the fact that this is harmful to the he alth of our feet, they feel heavy and painful. These symptoms are not the best way reflected in our gait. Custom orthopedic insoles can prevent foot problems and restore ease of walking.
Who needs to wear insoles
The condition of the legs must be monitored from childhood. Pathological changes in the feet can be prevented up to the age of seven. The most common problems are flat feet, valgus and varus deformities of the feet. To establish the correct diagnosis and get advice on how to choose orthopedic insoles, you need to contact an orthopedic surgeon.
In an adult, foot problems occur after 40 years of age and can lead to serious consequences, such as arthrosis of the joints and osteochondrosis. In a special risk zone arewomen, as they like to wear high heels, as well as men whose work is associated with excessive stress on the joints. All this causes the development of flat feet, which can be longitudinal, transverse and combined.
In addition, the cause of the disease can be overweight, paralysis of the muscles of the arch of the foot, fractures of the bones of the foot. In any case, this condition requires treatment. Orthopedic insoles can prevent the development of pathology in childhood. For adults, they will help relieve tension in the muscles, reduce the load on the feet, relieve pain and heaviness in the legs.
What orthopedic insoles look like
All products have an arch support located in the area of the inner arch, a recess is modeled under the heel. During movement, the central part of the insole rises and falls. Additional fixation is provided with a metatarsal pillow.
The front part of the insole (the strap) is designed for correct positioning of the toes. There are models and only this part (semi-insole), which does not interfere with the correct distribution of weight along the entire length of the product. The most important part of the insole is the wedges, which make it possible to change the angle of the foot. If the weight is not properly distributed, the heel will shift. Wedges help keep the foot in the correct position, which is the prevention of pain and swelling. The insole for the correction of foot pathologies consists of two wedges: under the heel and in the front of the product. It is advisable to choose models from softmaterials with gel inside the pads, which, evenly distributed, takes the optimal shape.
What are insoles
An orthopedist-traumatologist will advise how to choose orthopedic insoles depending on the diagnosis and the purposes for which they are purchased.
There are two types of insoles for flat feet. Some are designed to prevent the disease, others correct an existing pathology, make them to order. The best brands on the European market of insoles for the prevention and correction of foot pathologies are GRISON, COCCINE, TARRAGO.
Insoles for the prevention of foot pathologies
Prophylactic models are used to prevent the formation of flat feet. In their manufacture, a gel substance is used, which makes the insoles very soft and flexible, able to adapt to the anatomical features of the human foot.
Women who do not want to give up high heels, but at the same time take care of the he alth of their feet, get orthopedic insoles. Reviews about them are only positive. Specially designed foam or leather products that can be worn under dress shoes keep the foot in top condition. But keep in mind that with longitudinal flat feet, wearing heels above 4 cm, even with insoles, is recommended for no more than two hours. For overweight people, hard insoles made of steel, special plastic or graphite are suitable. When wearingwith these products, the arches of the foot are in the correct position, this prevents pain and tension.
For women who are expecting a baby, there are special prophylactic insoles that help reduce the pressure of the weight of a pregnant woman on the foot. It helps with pain and swelling in the legs.
Corrective models
Models for correcting existing pathology with custom-fitted arch support and metatarsal pads, as well as a heel cup, help to reduce stress on the foot and maintain the normal position of the bones. Products with a horseshoe-like heel counter are designed for heel spur treatment. Due to the special shape, constant friction of the soft tissues of the heel is prevented. According to customer reviews, wearing such insoles reduces the load on the heel area and eliminates pain. It happens that when walking the foot is twisted and the ankle is sprained, in this case wearing semi-rigid insoles made of flexible plastic will help. These products are very comfortable for the feet.
A special type of insoles is a foot corrector designed for people with a disease such as diabetes. With this pathology, the nerve endings lose their sensitivity in some areas of the foot, in connection with this, corns and calluses are formed. The gel inside the pads in these insoles allows the model to perfectly adapt to the features of the foot.
Orthopedic insoles for children
Babymodels, in addition to massage and preventive gymnastics, help the formation of the correct foot in a child, have a positive effect on the development of the musculoskeletal system, ensuring the correct gait. Feedback from many mothers suggests that the improvement becomes noticeable after a few months of using the insoles.
What to look out for
How to choose orthopedic insoles for a child so that wearing them would be beneficial? A few things to consider:
- the product should not be rigid so as not to interfere with the natural movements of the foot;
- material from which children's orthopedic insoles are made must be not only durable, but also flexible. This will ensure a stable position of the foot and will not interfere with age-related changes in its arch;
- the optimal length of a children's insole is three quarters (excluding the surface of the fingers);
- the product is made only on an individual cast to avoid the development of other foot deformities.
Selection and production
How to choose orthopedic insoles and can I do it myself? Of course, you can buy products to correct the condition of the foot in a pharmacy, but there is no guarantee that wearing them will be useful. The structure of the foot of each person is individual, and when using arch supports without selection, an additional pathology may form or an existing disease may be aggravated. Therefore, only a qualified specialist can select insoles, and a prosthetist can make them.
Production of orthopedic insoles occurs in several stages. At the first stage, diagnostics are carried out, which helps to identify the degree of flat feet, then a plaster imprint is made. The next step is sequential fitting. After the product is handed over to the patient, the patient receives recommendations from the doctor for the care of the insoles. At the final stage, the product is corrected during wearing. Since when wearing insoles, the foot straightens gradually, after a while, you may have to choose another model. Prophylactic insoles should be made of genuine leather, which allows them to retain their shape for a long time. The service life of such models does not exceed two years. Orthopedic insoles for flat feet are the best way to correct foot deformity, without them it is impossible to correct this pathology. Products contribute to the correct redistribution of the load on the sole (depending on the physiological characteristics of each person). Properly selected insoles will help eliminate such unpleasant phenomena as pain, fatigue and swelling of the legs. Regular wearing of such models will prevent the development of foot pathologies, will make you feel comfortable, even if you spend the whole day on your feet.
