Insoles that are worn inside the shoe to help improve foot and lower limb biomechanics and dissipate impact forces during gait. Foot orthoses can be custom-made or prefabricated and are made from a variety of different materials.
Abnormal motion and instability of the foot may lead to muscle overuse and poor shock absorption during walking and running. By helping to improve and optimise foot motion, foot orthoses can be used to treat and prevent foot and lower limb injury. When being assessed for foot orthoses the demands of the sport being played is taken into consideration. Often a small change in the mechanics of the foot can make a big difference to the overall function of the lower limb. Foot orthoses are often used in conjunction with other forms of treatment such as strengthening and gait retraining. They rely heavily on the footwear they are worn in and therefore if footwear is inappropriate this will often be dealt with before orthotic support is considered. Quite often a change in footwear can make a big difference to symptoms.
Custom-made foot orthoses can be made from a variety of materials and are often NOT “hard”. Flexible plastics and high-density foams are commonly used and tolerated well by athletes. Often various additions such as top covers and padding are added depending on the patient’s needs. Foot orthoses should be comfortable but can take a little while to get use to as the foot is in a different position. Foot orthoses designed for sports are often made from more resilient materials to ensure they hold up to the demands placed on them.
Custom-made orthoses may last up to 4-5 years but this depends on the activity level, the type of sport being played and the materials the devices are made from. Additions such as top covers may require periodic replacement. Generic foot orthoses fitted by a Podiatrist can last up to 12 to 18 months depending on the type of device used and the demands that are placed on them.
There is a wide range of “over the counter” arch supports available. These may help in some cases but often are not specific enough and are made from materials that generally don’t stand up to the demands of sport. Podiatrists often dispense “practitioner only” generic foot orthoses made from relatively durable materials, however these are often modified to a certain degree with various wedging and padding. This type of device is commonly used for children and for adults when trialing the effectiveness of support or when extra support is only required short term. The use of generic insoles, when issued appropriately, can be very successful.
For additional help and advice about foot orthoses or insoles, make an appointment to see Ben Holland at Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre on 1300 859 887.
