Materials for Making Orthopedic Shoes

Orthopedic shoes are a crucial element of the health care routine for diabetics, but surgeons, podiatrists and physical therapists also use them to treat other foot conditions or gait irregularities. Designed for improved support and fit, orthopedic shoes and orthotic inserts must be made from materials that are flexible and durable, and facilitate a custom fitting.

Function

• The materials for making orthopedic shoes provide improved traction and balance while standing and walking. They feature secure fit and closure, and offer overall flexibility and breathability for the foot and toe. Added support is the main function of orthopedic shoes, and the density of materials is often included in the product information because the depth measurement differentiates orthopedic shoes from shoes that do not target any specific health concerns.

Types

• Production of orthopedic shoes requires several materials, differing from one shoe to the next based on a patient's needs. Orthopedic shoes are typically made of leather or a similar quality material with a rubber sole and lace or Velcro closure. The insoles of orthopedic shoes or orthotic inserts are typically made of some type of foam, such as polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, also known as foam rubber. Additional materials may include plaster for casting a model of the foot to custom-fit the shoe, cement or other adhesives for fixing the soles and insoles to the shoe, lubricants and cleaning materials.

Benefits

• Materials in orthopedic shoes and orthotics give extra protection for the foot, to avoid injury and discomfort caused by foreign objects or an ill-fitting shoe. Materials such as foam provide firm support for the foot, along with extra padding and flexibility.

Potential

• Most materials for making orthopedic shoes offer the option of custom fitting. Some require home assembly, fitting or adjustment. In other cases, an orthotic specialist or other health care professional does the fitting and assembly. Custom fitting can be for the insole only or for the entire shoe. Custom foot bed and sole shapes give patients a wider base for added balance or a corrective stance.

Considerations

• Laminate, a term frequently used to describe the materials for making orthopedic shoes and orthotic inserts, is not actually a material, but instead describes the process of layering several different materials to produce an insole. Laminate insoles are made of a combination of materials in an effort to capitalize on the strengths and minimize the weaknesses of each, according to Acor Orthopaedic.