Orthopedic Shoes: Applications & Health Benefits

Orthopedic shoes can have multiple benefits for the wearer. They can be used for hereditary deformities, age-related, accident-related and diabetes-related foot problems, as well as for knock knees or bow legs that require a special insole. Today, manufacturers often advertise shoes with removable footbeds as orthopedic shoes. Others consider only those shoes that have been custom-made by a trained orthopedic shoemaker to be true orthopedic shoes. The terminology would need to be better clarified.

What are orthopedic shoes?

Orthopedic shoes are usually custom-fitted, but there are also types you can buy ready-made at a medical supply store. A definition of orthopedic shoes usually describes footwear specially made by a prosthetist that has orthopedic purposes. For example, orthopedic shoes correct joint misalignments, help after surgical procedures on the foot, or embed club feet that don’t fit into conventional shoes in handcrafted custom footwear. Orthopedic shoes are usually custom-fitted, but there are also types that can be purchased ready-made at medical supply stores. Which shoes can actually be called orthopedic shoes are rated quite differently.

Forms, types and types

Numerous forms, types and kinds of orthopedic shoes can be distinguished. For some shoes, only a heel increase is necessary, for others a special cut or compensation of different leg lengths. In the case of hallux valgus or other foot deformities, orthopedic shoes ensure freedom from pain and low-impact walking. Orthopedic shoes are made for people with heel spurs, legs of different lengths, ulcerated nail beds, rheumatoid damaged ankle joints or diabetic foot and can look different accordingly. After foot surgery and accidents that cause the foot to swell, it is now possible to wear orthopedic felt shoes that can be customized to fit the foot thanks to a Velcro strap. A fracture may also require the temporary wearing of orthopedic shoes with a sole elevation or wider shoe shaft. In this case, we are talking about leather orthopedic shoes that already exist and are adapted to the orthopedic problem. In other cases, the orthopedic shoes need to be purchased new because of a permanent foot problem. Typical of orthopedic shoes are, for example, reinforced soles, a customized upper shape, specially crafted footbeds or special finishes inside the shoes. For the diabetic foot, it is important that the orthopedic shoes are soft and cannot create pressure points. These are not noticed in time by the diabetic because of the typical sensory disturbances in the diabetic foot. Diabetics therefore need specially made orthopedic shoes, which can only be obtained from orthopedic shoemakers, special online stores and medical supply stores. Much of what is called orthopedic shoes nowadays looks like ordinary footwear from the outside. The extent to which they are so-called “health shoes” or genuine orthopedic shoes must be checked in each case. It is best to buy orthopedic shoes only in designated specialty stores, where they can still be adjusted to individual conditions, if necessary.

Structure, function and mode of action

The construction and function of orthopedic shoes must be adapted to the foot problem at hand. Optimized footbeds, soft buffer heels, built-in forefoot relief or elevations of the edge of the shoe serve to make walking more pain-free. Drag heels, insoles, hook-and-loop closures or padding for orthopedic shoes help keep the foot well embedded. After amputation of toes, orthopedic shoes can provide better compensation than improvised walking aids in conventional footwear. In order to walk reasonably pain-free even with severe foot problems, orthopedic shoes must fit well so that the damaged foot can roll properly.

Medical and health benefits

The medical and health benefits of orthopedic shoes are great because most people experience foot problems at a relatively young age. Although it is pointed out again and again that incorrect, too wide or too narrow footwear can cause lasting damage to the foot, shoes are bought again and again according to purely fashionable criteria.The term “orthopedic shoes” is associated with shapelessness and lack of visual appeal. In later years of life, orthopedic shoes become necessary because of years of wearing unsuitable shoes. They prevent further deformations, malpositioning of individual toes, increased corn formation or painful pressure points on the feet. Those who can walk again without pain thanks to orthopedic shoes will not get thrombosis due to chronic lack of movement. Orthopedic shoes are indispensable so that we can stand on our own feet for as long as possible.