Insoles

An insole is a removable footbed to place in the shoe. They support the feet where needed. Insole is an umbrella term that includes orthotic insoles, corrective insoles, off-the-shelf insoles and condition-specific insoles. These are used to prevent injuries, to help reduce existing complaints or to increase comfort.

Reasons to use insoles

Everyone's feet are different and so is their position. Some people have flat feet, collapsed arches, toes that are crooked or feet that tilt inwards a bit more. Fortunately, most people have no problems with the position of their feet. But some people do have or develop complaints from this.

They get pain in the feet when (long) standing, walking, at work or during sport. It is also possible to get complaints in other places in the body due to an abnormal foot position. For example in the ankles, knees, hips or back. Those people may benefit from the use of insoles.

Different types of insoles

Within insoles a subdivision is made into:

• Support insoles. These mainly support the foot arches and the forefoot.
• Off-the-shelf insoles. These are standard insoles that are freely available at the cobbler or shoe shop. Often these can be made to fit by possibly cutting a small piece off the front of the insole.
• Corrective insoles. These are intended to (permanently) change the position of the foot. For example if the foot position needs to be improved in a child with a congenital foot deformity. But corrective insoles are also used to improve posture or gait. Or to distribute the pressure under the foot better.
• Condition-specific insoles. There are many injuries and complaints of the foot possible. Think of Achilles tendon complaints, heel spur, collapsed arches or a Morton's neuroma. A condition-specific insole is specially made to reduce the (pain) complaints.

Based on the complaint or the goal, you can choose:

• Full-length or half-length insoles.
• Heel cups that only support the heel.
• Insoles for certain (sporting) activities.
• Insoles made of hard or soft material.

Note! The wrong insole can also cause or worsen complaints. Always seek proper advice.

Where can you get insoles?

Cobblers and shoe shops sell off-the-shelf insoles that fit in almost every shoe. When support insoles from the shop do not have the right fit, then it is wise to have the insoles custom made.

A podiatrist knows better than anyone which corrections a foot needs to optimally support the foot. Naturally, these are more expensive than the insoles that are available in the shop.