Depending on your problem, specialist footwear can be anything from the latest, motion control, marathon running training shoes to bespoke footwear to accommodate the most severe foot deformity. Many of these types are available direct to the public but some are only available through a qualified practitioner.

Custom Made Footwear

For gross foot and toe deformity, many people require shoes which are a little deeper and wider than can be purchased in a shop.

Bunion	Hammer Toes	Tailors Bunion	Arthritis(ankle)
Swelling

Some of these pictures may look familiar and if they are, the chances are that you struggle to find comfortable shoes.

There are various solutions for these types of foot deformity:

• Mail order oversized shoes
• Modular Orthopaedic Footwear
• Bespoke Footwear

Depending on the requirements of the footwear, any of the above options may be possibilities. At Orthocare, we are not affiliated to any one manufacturer so can therefore offer you the widest range of footwear options.

 

 

 

 

Specialist Running Shoes

There are thousands of different styles of trainer available on the market. Some are specifically designed to provide motion control, others to give shock absorption only. It is impossible to list them all here but the website www.runandbecome.com (follow links for PRODUCTS) gives some good information on various styles of running trainers. It is important that you see a qualified professional to advise on your foot type prior to purchase. Many shops offer an assessment process but the advice given is only as good as the shop assistant. Also, bear in mind that an in-shoe orthotic insole gives the same motion control but can be transferred from shoe to shoe.

 

Specialist Rocker Soled Shoes

If you have had your problem diagnosed or have self diagnosed some kind of restricted big toe movement such as hallux limitus, functional hallux limitus or hallux rigidus, then one treatment option is to use shoes with a rocker sole.

 

 

This sole unit shape allows the heel to come off the ground without flexing the big toe thus reducing pain. The same effect can be achieved by having your shoes specially adapted. Note in the picture, the layer of material sandwiched between the midsole and outer sole which creates the rocker.

 

 

Footwear for Insoles

Depending on what insoles you require, it is possible that you may have to rethink what shoes you wear. As a guide, these are the shoe features which will have the greatest chance of accommodating your insoles

• Low heel (1/2” - 1” is ideal)
• Not slip on (Lace, Velcro, T-bar)
• Removeable inlay
• Wide sole unit, especially the heel.

 

 

 

 

 

At Orthocare, we understand that shoe choice means a lot to many people and we will always try to find a compromise. There are some long term users of orthotic insoles who can fit them into fashion, slip-on footwear. They are, however, in the minority but here are some examples of footwear used by some orthotic insole wearing clients.

 

 

 

This information should only be used as a guide to footwear choices. At your Orthocare consultation, the orthotist will inform you of the type of shoe needed to accommodate your device.

For more information on specialist footwear or to discuss a specific complaint, please contact us.