Orthopedic Shoes: Learning the Basics
Shoes have become an essential accessory to man's everyday life. They were invented to protect the human feet from external harm while doing daily activities.
For people who have deformities of the lower extremities, starting from the hip, down to the knees and feet, walking can be very much difficult and painful. In such cases, choosing the right footwear should be taken seriously. Hence, man came up with specially created footwear -- the orthopedic shoes.
Importance:
Wearing orthopedic footwear can alleviate the suffering experienced by people with existing foot condition. In some cases, the use of these distinctively designed shoes can actually give a nonsurgical option that can be tested before proceeding to a more invasive and costly intervention. Some people who have no history of foot-related problems even use such shoes to ensure comfort and avoid any unwanted foot condition.
In addition to correcting foot concerns, these medically manufactured shoes can also help get rid of knee and ankle stress, ease lower back pain and improve posture.
Examples of Foot Conditions and the Types of Shoes to Use:
Nowadays, a lot of different types of orthopedic shoes are available in the market, so people can choose the kind of footwear that will best suit their individual needs. More often than not, the kind of shoes a person would wear is dependent on what foot condition he has, such as:
1. Fallen Arches
This condition occurs when the tendons that attach the foot bones and the heel do not pull together properly, forming little or no arch at all; hence the term, fallen arches or €flat feet". To lessen the pain experienced in such case, the shoes to be used should consist of a high arch insert, which will serve as an armrest for the irregular arches by raising them and stabilizing the heels.
2. Bunions
A bunion, or medically known as €hallux valgus", is a genetic deformity aggravated by frequent use of tight-fitting shoes. In this case, the big toe is angulated due to the pressure applied to it. Also, the soft tissues surrounding the base of the big toe become tender and swollen, making way for a bony bump on the outside. Specially designed footwear for people with such condition are intended to reduce the pain and avoid further strain and inflammation to the big toe. The shoes should at least be the same size of the feet, or larger, with heels not taller than two inches.
3. Hammertoe
A hammertoe, also known as €contracted toe", involves the proximal interphalangeal or middle joint of the second, third, or fourth toe. When a toe is bent for long periods of time due to poorly fitted shoes, its muscles shorten, causing the affected toe to bend permanently, similar to a hammer. A person with this condition should wear shoes that are half inch longer than the longest toe, not pointed, and should have a soft and spacious toe box. An ample room for the toes will help prevent the joints in becoming fixed and avoid possible surgery.
Other Forms of Orthopedic Footwear:
People with foot-related issues may also use other variety of specialty footwear. Some of which are the following:
1. Orthopedic Socks, which are sometimes enough to lessen the stress and discomfort one experiences in the lower legs down to the feet;
2. Orthopedic Slippers, which are more convenient to use when at home; and
3. Orthopedic Boots, which give support to the ankles and legs when use of shoes is insufficient.
Today, shoes have become more of a vent for fashion than merely a basic human need. To keep up with the trend, the orthopedic shoes in these modern times have a wider range of color selection, which will make it easier for people to select the shoes that will perfectly match their individual style and taste. But most importantly, in choosing the medical shoes to use, one should weigh comfort and its benefits more than adornment.
For people who have deformities of the lower extremities, starting from the hip, down to the knees and feet, walking can be very much difficult and painful. In such cases, choosing the right footwear should be taken seriously. Hence, man came up with specially created footwear -- the orthopedic shoes.
Importance:
Wearing orthopedic footwear can alleviate the suffering experienced by people with existing foot condition. In some cases, the use of these distinctively designed shoes can actually give a nonsurgical option that can be tested before proceeding to a more invasive and costly intervention. Some people who have no history of foot-related problems even use such shoes to ensure comfort and avoid any unwanted foot condition.
In addition to correcting foot concerns, these medically manufactured shoes can also help get rid of knee and ankle stress, ease lower back pain and improve posture.
Examples of Foot Conditions and the Types of Shoes to Use:
Nowadays, a lot of different types of orthopedic shoes are available in the market, so people can choose the kind of footwear that will best suit their individual needs. More often than not, the kind of shoes a person would wear is dependent on what foot condition he has, such as:
1. Fallen Arches
This condition occurs when the tendons that attach the foot bones and the heel do not pull together properly, forming little or no arch at all; hence the term, fallen arches or €flat feet". To lessen the pain experienced in such case, the shoes to be used should consist of a high arch insert, which will serve as an armrest for the irregular arches by raising them and stabilizing the heels.
2. Bunions
A bunion, or medically known as €hallux valgus", is a genetic deformity aggravated by frequent use of tight-fitting shoes. In this case, the big toe is angulated due to the pressure applied to it. Also, the soft tissues surrounding the base of the big toe become tender and swollen, making way for a bony bump on the outside. Specially designed footwear for people with such condition are intended to reduce the pain and avoid further strain and inflammation to the big toe. The shoes should at least be the same size of the feet, or larger, with heels not taller than two inches.
3. Hammertoe
A hammertoe, also known as €contracted toe", involves the proximal interphalangeal or middle joint of the second, third, or fourth toe. When a toe is bent for long periods of time due to poorly fitted shoes, its muscles shorten, causing the affected toe to bend permanently, similar to a hammer. A person with this condition should wear shoes that are half inch longer than the longest toe, not pointed, and should have a soft and spacious toe box. An ample room for the toes will help prevent the joints in becoming fixed and avoid possible surgery.
Other Forms of Orthopedic Footwear:
People with foot-related issues may also use other variety of specialty footwear. Some of which are the following:
1. Orthopedic Socks, which are sometimes enough to lessen the stress and discomfort one experiences in the lower legs down to the feet;
2. Orthopedic Slippers, which are more convenient to use when at home; and
3. Orthopedic Boots, which give support to the ankles and legs when use of shoes is insufficient.
Today, shoes have become more of a vent for fashion than merely a basic human need. To keep up with the trend, the orthopedic shoes in these modern times have a wider range of color selection, which will make it easier for people to select the shoes that will perfectly match their individual style and taste. But most importantly, in choosing the medical shoes to use, one should weigh comfort and its benefits more than adornment.
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