What are orthotics and how can I benefit from them?

On average, we walk 5 times around the earth in our lifetime so you must have the right footwear to support and look after your feet. If you have issues with the alignment of your feet, ankles, or legs, orthotics can provide the support you need.

In this guide, we’ll help you understand how orthotics work, their benefits and what to look for when choosing a pair of shoes.

What are Orthotics?

Orthotics, also known as Orthoses, are custom-made shoe insoles or inserts that correct the alignment of your feet to reduce or completely resolve any symptoms.

Although you can buy pre-made orthotics in local shops such as Boots, custom-made orthotics are the most effective way of treating poor foot alignment as they are made bespoke to your feet and for your condition.

If you have orthotics designed for a particular sport, they will be made to support particular movements or positions and support specific loads or stresses associated with your activity.

Benefits of Orthotics

1. Enhanced comfort

Orthotics provide cushioning support that can relieve pressure on your feet. This is especially beneficial if you spend long hours on your feet or have a job that requires heavy lifting and standing.

2. Improved alignment

Orthotics help correct foot misalignments, making your feet more comfortable and improving your posture. This can ease strain in other areas of your body, reducing potential discomfort in your knees, hips, and lower back.

3. Injury prevention

Custom orthotics can help prevent injuries by making sure your feet move in the right way during physical activities. This is especially important if you participate in high-impact sports, where proper mechanics of movement are crucial.

4. Pain relief:

If you have issues like plantar fasciitis or other foot problems, using orthotics can help. These insoles work by taking pressure off the sore spots in your feet, which can reduce pain and make it easier to move around.

5. Increased performance:

Wearing sport-specific orthotics can help improve your performance. The added support makes movement easier and can lead to better endurance and agility.

What to look for when choosing supportive footwear

Choosing appropriate footwear is important because the type of shoe that you wear, will have a direct impact on your foot health. The style and fit of your shoes are factors that need to be considered to prevent a wide range of foot conditions such as callus, corns, bunions and general foot pain.

Here is what you should be looking out for when purchasing your next pair of shoes:

Material

For the material of the shoe, we recommend that you avoid plastics or synthetics as they allow little ventilation – this leads to sweaty feet and increases the risk of fungal and bacterial infections. Instead, we advise you to look for leather or mesh shoes as these are natural and breathable materials.

The width of the shoe should be snug but not tight. You shouldn’t see any bulging of the shoe material.

Insole

Look out for supportive, cushioned insoles that ideally wick away moisture. Removable insoles can be washed regularly to reduce the risk of fungal and bacterial infections.

Midsole

The midsole in a shoe should be moderately thick and firm for shock absorption. The shoe should only bend where your foot bends (at the joint of the big toe) and not throughout.

Outsole

Grooves and treads in the outsole give your shoe a grip. The fewer the grooves and threads, the more likely you are to slip when wearing the shoes.

Toe box

We recommend a shoe with a wider, rounded toe box to give your toes enough room to move around. Your shoes should conform to the shape of your foot, not the other way around.

You should also be able to wiggle your toes and have at least half an inch between your longest toe (which may not be your big toe) and the end of the shoe.

Fastening

Be it a buckle, belt, strap, elastic, velcro or laces, some form of fastening will support your foot by holding the shoe in place. ‘Slip-on shoes’ are a real culprit for hammer toe deformities as the toes claw desperately trying to keep the shoe from slipping off.

Other tips:

• Wear the same type of socks to the shop that you intend to wear with the shoes.
• Shop for shoes later in the day (this is when your feet are at their largest).
• Walk in the shoes before buying them. They should feel comfortable right away. Make sure your heel fits snugly in each shoe and doesn’t slip out as you walk.
• Get both feet measured each time you buy shoes. Some shoe shops offer this as part of their service so be sure to ask.
• If one foot is larger than the other, try on a pair that fits your larger foot.
• Feel the inside of the shoes for any tags or seams that might irritate.

Recommended shoe brands by our podiatrists​

As Podiatrists, there are certain footwear brands that we recommend that will give you both the style and support your feet need.  Here are some of our recommended brands:

Running/casual trainer

Recommended brands: Asics, Brooks, New Balance, Vionic, Adidas, Nike

Shoes for bunions

Recommended brands: Sole Bliss, Wolky, Sandpiper

Summer footwear

Recommended brands: Fitflops, custom-made Flopthotics from the Hatt Clinic, Vionic

Smart or formal footwear

Recommended brands: Hotter, Vionic, Ecco, Clark’s, Shoon, JD Williams, sole Bliss

Walking boots

Recommended brands: North Face, Merrell, Salomon, Berghaus

For more advice on footwear, please get in touch with our Gait Analysis team on 01380 730473.

Orthotics at Hatts

At Hatts, we believe in the benefit of rehab and self-sufficiency. Our Podiatrists will always try to provide you with a plan on how to use your orthotics and transition away from them when possible.

All our custom-made orthotics require a prescription to be taken by a specialist biomechanical Podiatrist, along with a Gait Analysis assessment to identify the corrections required to realign your foot.

At Hatts, this bespoke service is delivered by our biomechanical specialists. To create these bespoke orthotics,  a cast impression of your foot will be taken before it is sent off to our laboratory. This ensures that your orthotics fit perfectly to the shape of your feet to support the exact correction required – giving you the most effective treatment possible.

Once your orthotics have been made, they will be fitted and your Podiatrist will advise you on wearing them in. Following your initial wear period, your symptoms will be reviewed and if necessary minor adjustments can be made to your orthotics.

Your custom orthotics will be manufactured to a very high standard using the latest materials and techniques. They are expected to last approximately 10 years with minor refurbishment.

Bespoke orthotics really can be life-changing. It is important not to ignore foot pain as any foot conditions not treated could have a detrimental effect on the way the rest of your body moves.

If you suffer from any kind of foot, knee, hip, or lower back pain, we can help. Book your Gait Analysis appointment online or by calling us on 01380 730473.