Guide to Orthopaedic Shoes

3 min read

Do you experience frequent foot pain?  If so, you may benefit from orthopaedic shoes.

Orthopaedic shoes are sometimes also known as therapeutic shoes.  These types of shoes are specially designed for people who have foot conditions; they are intended to provide specialized support for the feet and reduce foot pain.  Orthopaedic shoes are beneficial to people of all ages who experience pain in their feet, ankles, or legs.

Off-the-shelf orthopaedic shoes can be purchased at specialised shoe shops. These can be customized to fit the individual in most cases. However, some foot conditions may require more of a medical approach & may need to be custom made, if the condition is severe.

The professionals at a specialized shoe shop will assess the client’s gait, posture, range of motion, body alignment, and foot structure.  With that information in mind, an orthopaedic shoe may be selected & where necessary – a custom arch support will also be provided. This provides the perfect match between the client’s foot & the shoe, reducing friction & pressure.

Purpose of Orthopaedic Shoes

Orthopaedic shoes are intended to do two primary things.  First, they are intended to protect the feet from injury.  Orthopaedic shoes protect the toes, feet, and ankles from injuries such as crushing of the toes, twisting of the ankles, and torn muscles in the legs.

Second, orthopaedic shoes help to manage the symptoms of foot conditions.  There are many different foot conditions that can cause foot pain.  They include plantar fasciitisMorton’s neuromaAchilles tendonitisbunionscornscalluses, and more.  Orthopaedic shoes provide extra support so that the pain and other symptoms of these foot conditions are minimized.  Wearing orthopaedic shoes will relieve foot pain and prevent injury.

Orthopaedic shoes are also appropriate for people who have congenital abnormalities of the feet or who have suffered traumatic injuries to the feet.

Benefits of Orthopaedic Shoes

One of the many benefits of orthopaedic shoes is that they fit the feet properly. If you have a congenital foot deformity, traumatic foot injury, or any foot condition, it can be very difficult to find shoes that fit properly.  Even a minor foot condition, such as corns or bunions, can create an abnormal shape of the foot.  As a result, standard, off-the-shelf shoes from a department store may not fit your feet properly, regardless of what size you purchase or how many pairs you try.  By creating a customised orthopaedic shoe, you can get the perfect fit.

Fit is important because it equals stability.  A properly-fitting orthopaedic shoe provides security, traction, and stability.  When your shoes fit properly, you are less likely to fall or be injured.  They align the feet, ankles, and legs properly, which minimizes the risk of injury during walking or other activities.

Orthopaedic shoes also help to correct the gait, which refers to the way that you walk.  When your gait is properly aligned, you are less likely to develop blisters, corns, or calluses.  Orthopaedic shoes also provide extra cushioning, which reduces the impact on the bones and joints of the feet. This is important for anyone who suffers from arthritis or other inflammatory foot conditions.

Orthopaedic shoes offer a host of benefits.  If you have foot pain, visit Foot Solutions.  We have many orthopaedic shoes in stock, or we can customize our orthopaedic shoes for you.  Stop in to Foot Solutions today to learn more about all of the options in orthopaedic shoes.  We have locations in DublinCorkWaterfordLimerick, and Galway to serve you.