Table of Contents:
Overview
Flat feet, also known as fallan arches, or pes planus, is a common condition that impacts millions of people around the world. For some, there is no pain associated with the condition, while for others it can lead to debilitating pain in the arches, knees, hips, and even back.
Luckily, there are modern orthopedic insoles which are a great first line of defence against flat feet. In this article we will look at what goes into a top notch orthotic insole and what things to look out for. Let’s jump into it!
What are orthopedic Insoles
An orthopedic insole is specially designed arch support which goes inside your shoes. While the insole that comes with your shoe is generally flat or only raised with flimsy foam, these insoles have a strong raised arch. This arch acts essentially as an artificial arch because you either don’t have one or it isn’t functioning properly. As you step, the orthotic arch bends down like a shock absorber, making the weight transfer to your foot not as immediate, and thus less painful.
Important Features
If you are looking for orthopedic insoles for flat feet, you should make sure your orthotics have the following features in them to ensure their viability to help with the pain
Deep Heel Cup
A deep heel cup holds the heel in place and supports the back of the foot. Because those with flat feet don’t have arches, the tendency is to roll the feet inwards, known as overpronation. Over pronation leads to the body being out of alignment and leads to pain throughout the kinetic chain. With a deep heel cup, the foot is cradled and cannot overpronate, keeping pain in check
Additionally, the heel cup can prevent the plantar fascia from stretching. Many of those with flat feet have plantar fasciitis which is an inflammation of the aforementioned ligament. Anchoring the heel and preventing the PF from overstretching is essential to successful patient usage of the orthopedic insole.
Arch Support
A good insole for flat feet needs to have a fairly firm arch area. Because individuals with flat feet don’t have an arch, it’s essential to give someone an artificial one to help redistribute the weight when they walk.
A normal arch acts like a spring or shock absorber, collapsing a bit with every step with the pressure and then springing back when the foot leaves the ground. Without an arch, the foot is merely slapping at the ground like a pancake. This leads to overpronation as the foot tries to dissipate the pressure over more time and surface area. It also leads to increased pain because other smaller muscles in the foot and leg have to compensate for the lack of arch.
Therefore, the arch needs to be rigid, or at least semi-rigid. If it’s just cushy it might feel good to the touch, but will not do its job. It should be durable, so as to not collapse over time. For example, gel insoles might be fine for a week or so, but over time it will collapse and not offer support.
Custom Fit
An insole needs to fit the wearer's shoes and foot size. Just going to a store and picking out the average pair won’t do you good as the over-the-counter model is made for the average foot, not your foot. Even if you cut the pair with scissors, that is only adjusting the end of the orthotic. The problem will be that the arch area won’t be in the right position as it is related to the heel. If the insole arch is not exactly where your arch is, this can lead to tremendous pain and strain on the foot.
As such, make sure to get insoles that are made for your feet and your arch. Not all feet are the same, so get an orthotic which is unique to you.
Best Insole Choice - Stride Soles
For those with flat feet and looking for a solid orthopedic insole, inquire about Stride Soles custom orthotics. Like we were discussing above, Stride Soles has a 18mm deep heel cup, firm arch support, and is built unique to your foot to ensure a perfect fit.
Pros
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Deep 18mm Heel Cup
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5-7 Year Durability
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Custom Made for You
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Doctor Prescribed
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Order in Minutes
Cons
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$137 is not cheapest on the market
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Takes 1-2 weeks to arrive
Materials
Stride Soles base orthotic is made from military grade TPU, which can hold up to years of walking. The TPU is arranged in a lattice like pattern which allows for air to pass through the orthotic to dissipate odor and sweat. The lattice pattern also brings down the total weight of the orthotic as it is around ½ the weight of traditional plastic insoles.
On top of the orthotic is perforated vegan leather. This premium material has best in class grip, allowing wearers to not slip around in their shoes. Similarly, the synthetic leather keeps it shape after years of use, much like it’s animal made counterparts. In fact, the same leather is commonly used on the steering wheels of premium Porche and BMW cars.
The mid-layer of Stride Soles is a 20 Shore Density EVA Foam, which allows for additional shock absorption without reducing the ‘spring effect’ of the insole. Many insoles opt for 1mm, but Stride Soles has doubled the amount with 2mm in foam.
Shape
As above, having a deep heel cup prevents the foot from moving around and stretching during walks. Any good insole, should be at least 10mm heel cup. Stride Soles leads the way with a 18mm heel cup, which is best in class as far as insoles are concerned. For example, superfeet has a heel cup that is only 12mm in height!
Customization
One of the unique features of Stride Soles is that it’s completely custom for your foot. If you have an insole that is the wrong size, you risk doing more damage than good. It’s no coincidence that top Podiatry firms all offer custom pairs.
Stride Soles is no different and uses the exact same technology as you’d get in clinic. Using their smart phone app, you can create a 3D scan of your foot which will serve as the base mold for the insole. This ensures the arch area is exactly in the right spot as it relates to your foot shape.
Additionally, Stride looks at your gait pattern through an upload of you walking to and from the camera. From this additional data we can understand if you are over/under pronating, as well as any leg-length discrepancy. With this, we can add more material to one side of your insole and ensure a mechanically correct gait pattern.
Conclusion
If there is just one point to take away from this article, it’s that a fairly rigid arch support is key to any top of the line orthopedic insole for flat feet. Without arch support, the flat foot will continue to overpronate leading to years of discomfort across the body.
If you have any questions regarding Stride Soles, be sure to email them at team@stridesoles.com. A medical professional is standing by to answer any of your questions or concerns.
