In the world of footcare, nothing creates more confusion and controversy than the role, necessity or otherwise of orthotics and insoles.

At Doctor Greene’s, we appreciate the potential benefits of orthotics, not alone for foot problems but also for other joints including the knee and back. We know each person’s foot problems are unique to them and there is no single remedy for all conditions. Treating foot pain and foot problems can take time and there are few quick fixes.

What is an orthotic?

An orthotic is a device typically inserted into a shoe to help address a problem with the foot. Orthotic, orthoses, insert, liner, arch support, cushion or pad are terms that refer to this type of device.

Orthotics try to perform one or more of the following:

Cushion an area of overload
Provide support to maintain alignment or stabilise
Correct malalignment
Brace or splint a movable area or joint
Ultimately, the objective of an orthotic is to address pain, maintain or restore alignment or tracking, and enable feet to work as efficiently as possible.

Bear in mind that good footwear with supportive shock-absorbing liners can offer many of the benefits of a quality orthotic.

Off-the-shelf orthotics or custom products?

You can purchase pre-constructed/fabricated orthotics based on your shoe size. Cheaper than custom products, these aim to address the painful symptoms of common foot disorders and can be very effective.

An off-the-shelf gel cushion, for example, can successfully alleviate the pain of heel spur fasciitis, while an over-the-counter arch support can help an overpronating or flat foot.

A custom orthotic involves taking a mould or a 3D scan of the foot and creating a bespoke design for that foot. While custom orthotics can achieve excellent results, they do not guarantee success. Custom is not always better.

Do orthotics always work?

Shoe selection and orthotics should be considered in tandem. Poorly fitting shoes are not necessarily improved by inserting an orthotic. Orthotics that work for one person won’t necessarily help another, even if their symptoms seem identical. Orthotics do not generally take into consideration the rest of the body(weight and alignment), the stresses placed on the foot or the functional demands of walking and running.

Best results from orthotics, insoles and shoe padding devices are had when someone who understands the foot recommends or prescribes them. Unfortunately, you can’t always expect immediate or 100% results.

Beware of exaggerated claims, as nothing is likely to give you an instant painless fix.