Every person knows the feeling of heaviness in the legs, when the feet burn, fatigue quickly sets in, and shoes, even at first glance very comfortable, press and cause discomfort. Very often, the cause of the problem is improperly selected shoes made of low-quality materials. To avoid such problems and feel comfortable throughout the day, regardless of how long you have to be on your feet, you should buy models made of natural materials with orthopedic properties.
To help the buyer who is faced with the choice of fashionable and comfortable shoes, the following questions are considered in this article:
Features of shoes with orthopedic properties;
Why do you need orthopedic shoes;
Children’s shoes with orthopedic properties;
Orthopedic insoles and their types;
Special devices for fingers and heels;
Where to buy
Features of footwear with orthopedic properties
Orthopedic shoes are shoes for daily use with the aim of preventing foot pathologies — flat feet, valgus deformity, calluses, bunions, facilitating gait and correcting already existing disorders in the initial stage. It has a number of features:
— Elastic, strong sole, which would reduce the shock load on the foot;
— An insole with an instep to support the inner arch of the foot, thanks to which the foot does not collapse to the middle;
— A large voluminous sock that provides freedom to the fingers and prevents the formation of calluses and abrasions;
— Special Velcro fasteners of the «Velcro» type, which can be used to adjust the width of the shoe along the foot and firmly fix it on the leg;
— Natural materials — corduroy, suede, leather. In boots made of such materials, the foot does not sweat, no blisters form, and there are no conditions for the development of microorganisms. 
Why do you need orthopedic shoes?
Modern shoe models with orthopedic properties are designed for everyday wear and meet the requirements of fashion trends. They are recommended in the following cases:
• For the prevention and treatment of flat-valgus deformity, correction of flat feet, prevention of calluses, calluses, abrasions that can form as a result of wearing narrow, uncomfortable shoes;
• To support the arch of the foot in the correct anatomical position;
• To reduce the load on the legs and spine, relieve tension and prevent cramps in the calf muscles;
• To reduce fatigue when you have to stand or walk all day;
• For reliable foot fixation and injury prevention.
Orthopedists recommend wearing shoes with orthopedic properties to everyone who experiences certain problems with their legs and spine.
Children’s shoes with orthopedic properties
Experts recommend wearing orthopedic shoes from the very first step. Orthopedic shoes for children have some features that ensure the correct development of the foot, in particular, the formation of arches. Due to the presence of anatomical joints, the foot is a shock absorber when walking, reducing the load on the legs and spine.
Features of «correct» shoes for a baby:
— Thomas ring, shortened on the inside and slightly different in height at different points. It ensures the correct position of the foot, prevents it from collapsing inward and correctly redistributes the load. For children up to 8 years, the heel should not exceed 1 cm, 8-12 years — 1-2 cm;
— The sole is made of thermoplastic or similar materials. It should not be too soft in order to avoid sprains and strains, but at the same time it should be bendable, since absolutely not bending the sole prevents the correct positioning of the foot and the formation of the correct gait;
— Rigid inflated butt, which in medical models can be higher than the ankle. For children under 6 years of age, the height of the buttocks should be 1.5-2 cm above the ankle, after 6 — up to the ankle. In the treatment of flat feet of the III degree, the height of the butt is determined by the attending physician, shoes are made to order;
— The insole has a small depression in the area of the heel, which ensures its stabilization, an instep on the side of the inner arch and a raised rolling zone.
Orthopedic shoes for diabetics have a special 3-layer insole that reduces pressure and friction. Thanks to this action, the risk of abrasions, cracks and wounds is significantly reduced. For people suffering from diabetes, orthopedic shoes with a special insole, a wide free toe, made only from natural materials, will help prevent injury and the formation of hard-to-heal wounds. To reduce the pain of a heel spur, the shock-absorbing insole can be worn in combination with a silicone heel pad. In case of arthritis and arthrosis, the best solution will be an insole with enhanced shock-absorbing capabilities, which will help relieve excess pressure on the joints.
Orthopedic insoles and their types
If there is no need to make insoles according to individual measurements after removing the plantogramme, then experts recommend purchasing ready-made Pedag, Foot Care orthopedic insoles, which are manufactured using special technologies and provide the user with comfort, preventing various violations.
Orthopedic insoles for the prevention and correction of flat feet have some design features:
• heel recess with slightly raised sides for stable fixation of the heel;
• Insole in the area of the inner arch, the insole is slightly raised in the area of the roll;
• An insole with a truncated front part — half insole. Can be used in summer shoes. The front part — the whip does not carry any functional load, so its absence does not reduce corrective actions;
• When making individual insoles (in more complex cases), the orthopedist can use special wedges to adjust the angle of elevation.
According to the degree of stiffness, insoles are:
— Soft silicone, used for the prevention of violations, which can be worn in any shoes;
— medium-hard polyurethane foam, genuine leather or foam rubber. They are recommended for increased loads, for example, during sports, as well as for correcting flat feet in the initial stage. These insoles will help to reduce pressure on the legs with increased body weight;
— Rigid ones made of plastic, graphite, with metal inserts, which are worn on the order of the orthopedist to correct violations.
Special devices for fingers and heels
To prevent the wrong position of the toes, the result of which can be diseases of the joints, curvature of the feet and toes, calluses, calluses and abrasions, special orthopedic devices are used — interdigital partitions, inserts, pads.
Orthopedic partitions are located between the fingers, do not allow them to cross and can correct the curvature of the fingers, fixing them in the correct position. They come in a variety of shapes and materials. The choice depends on the degree of the problem, its location, shoe model.
Where to buy
On the website of the «Your Health» network and in its retail outlets, where home medical equipment, beauty and health products, children’s accessories are presented, there is a huge selection of products for the prevention and correction of disorders of the development of the foot. By using orthopedic insoles, inserts in shoes, interdigital partitions, pelotes and other products of orthopedic orientation, you can avoid serious pathologies, for the treatment of which surgical intervention will be necessary.