A shoe insert is a kind of orthotic that is literally slid into the shoe. Shoe inserts can be self-prescribed and gotten over the counter and can be bought anywhere ranging from a pharmacy to a shopping mall after a prescription from a medical personnel.
The kind of shoe inserts used depends on the ultimate purpose it’s supposed to serve, which could vary from treatments of foot conditions like plantar fasciitis, flat feet, and arch support to improving shoe comfort.
These inserts are made to fit into all kinds of shoes and can be custom-made depending on the foot problem you are dealing with. These can be made of gel, foam, or plastic.
How do shoe inserts work?
These orthotics work by reducing and absorbing the shock that would ordinarily be directly absorbed by the plantar fascia ( a touch sheet of fibres at the base of the foot) and the bones. In addition, these shoe inserts can temporarily help re-establish the alignment of the foot.
Like other parts of the body, the foot does not work in isolation so you will find that foot problems predispose to shin bone pains, hip and backaches. So wearing an arch support can inadvertently sort out all other issues in the lower limb.
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Types of shoe inserts
- Arch supports.
Just to take you back to the architecture of the foot, it’s comprised of three longitudinal arches. The medial arch which is on the innermost border of your foot and the middle part does not touch the floor, the lateral arch is on the outermost border of the foot.
When you stand, the medial arch takes on the most weight. This arch can be exaggeratedly high or really flat.
When the medial arch collapses, it produces a flat foot. This can follow being overweight or it could be a condition you are born with. All these completely affect the way you walk.
The arch supports have a slight bulge on the innermost part to account for that anatomical cave.
- Insoles.
These literally slip into the shoe to provide better cushion.
- Heel liners.
These provide extra cushioning around the heel especially. They are best for people who have reduced fat cushion at the heel which could be secondary to advanced age or secondary to a fracture of the heel bone.
Fitting of shoe inserts
When going to purchase a pair of shoe inserts, it is best to go with your pair of shoes so you can try then on from the store.
Slide them into your shoes and walk around to get a good feel. These shouldn’t feel too tight and comfort is the goal.
You may need to break into the insole, the shoes may feel a bit crowded in the start.
Maintenance of shoe inserts
Seeing that you will wear these every day, they could develop an odor.
According to cadenceinsoles.com, the following tips will favor you.
- Endeavor to remove the insoles from your shoes each night so they can air dry.
- When washing them, use some lukewarm water and soap then brush them down without dipping them into the water. Let them air dry before use.
- If in need of a deeper clean, do an overnight soak in a mixture of hot water with vinegar. Alternatively, you can place 2 table spoons of baking soda in a zipper bag with the shoe inserts and leave overnight. This will kill the bacteria and also eradicate the odor.
- Finally, you could place the shoe inserts in a bag and throw them into a freezer for over 48 hours. The cold will kill the bacteria and also take care of the bad smell. Remember to have them dry before use.
Just like shoes, insoles do wear out and so you need to see your physician about this for a refitting.
How to stop the insole from squeaking?
To stop your insole from squeaking as you walk, you could simply place duct tape between the orthotic and the inside of your shoes.
Caution
If you have a special foot problem like plantar fasciitis or foot problems associated with diabetes mellitus, then it is advised you consult a foot specialist for proper prescription.
