This is what orthopedic footwear looks like

Choose shoes with suitably soft, flexible soles. Bend the shoe in your hands. With good shoes, the sole flexes easily and the upper part of the shoe does not deform too much. Very thin soles are comfortable only on flat ground, and walking in such shoes is not fun on asphalt - your foot feels every stone.

What is an insole? do i need one

Insole, arch support, gelenok, inner arch support - whatever we call this part of the shoe. Despite the fact that some parents adore them and do not even look at models without them in stores, others argue and prove that they are not so useful for healthy feet. In this blog article you will learn what an insole is, what it is made of and what its purpose is.

An insole is the part of the insole, the convex part, that is usually attached closer to the back of the shoe or boot. They are made of leather, cork, metal or plastic.

In theory, the podiatrist is needed to keep the arch of the foot in the correct position. Usually it is not flat but rather resembles an arch. When walking, it straightens up and immediately returns to its previous position - this helps to absorb the impact and relieve the spine. However, this is not the case for people with flat feet; the supinators help them restore flexion and keep the ligaments normal.

These parts are quite rigid and are housed in custom-made special shoes. Normal children's shoes have soles - these are soft and only serve to cushion the feet.

How NOT to spoil children's feet

As we said above is the purpose of footbeds – They are designed to correct serious medical problems. They are chosen by a doctor, and the shoes themselves are usually made from an impression of the foot.

Children do not need them, as they can only cause harm. Some parents don't go into detail because they've heard somewhere that 'supinating shoes are useful'. The child is forced to wear hard-soled shoes and the longitudinal arch of the foot no longer functions as physiologically intended.

The blood in it no longer circulates properly, the muscles and ligaments weaken and can no longer support the foot properly. As a result, the child develops a longitudinal flat foot. Parents wanted the best, but it turned out to be the same as always.

Only shoes bought in the wrong size can be worse. They slip under the foot, the child feels uncomfortable and in pain, and the arch of the foot is anatomically incorrectly shaped.

A healthy child's foot does not need support - the doctor must prescribe it after an examination.

Design features of orthopedic shoes

High-quality footwear guarantees health for the whole body. The task of orthopedic shoes is to distribute the load on the individual muscle groups and the spine during movement. Wearing corrective shoes also helps shape the physiologically correct alignment of the feet without causing discomfort to the wearer.

Which tasks are fulfilled?

Depending on the type of footwear, the foot care measures have a preventive and therapeutic effect. Wearing special shoes is recommended for valgus deformity, flat feet, vascular diseases, spinal problems, diabetes, obesity and other complications.

• Keeps toes in anatomically correct position while walking;
• Securely fixes the heel and keeps it in normal balance;
• Reduces stress on the ankle;
• Reduces the load on the leg muscles;
• Improves blood circulation.

Unlike regular shoes, orthotics are softer and roomier with a flexible, supple sole.

species

There are several types of specialty shoes. Orthopedic models are distinguished according to the following criteria:

• Prophylactic shoe model – used when the pathology is likely to develop and in the very early stages;
• Shoes of low complexity - worn in the earliest stages of the disease and have a slight therapeutic effect;
• Complex model - used in severe diseases of the musculoskeletal system (prescribed by the doctor).

In warm and cold weather

Shoes made of natural fabrics that allow the skin of the feet to breathe and do not interfere with the natural exchange of heat are the best choice for all seasons. Shoes made of natural leather, nubuck, suede and fabric are recommended. There can be safety risks with imitation leather shoes, especially summer shoes: imitation leather chemicals react with the skin of the feet at high temperatures. In addition, artificial leather shoes have low air permeability for the feet. This can lead to diaper rash or fungal infections.

However, if you buy shoes made of artificial materials, make sure that at least the lining of the shoe is made of natural leather or fabric - the material that your foot comes in direct contact with is the most important for your health. Also pay attention to the material of the insole. Ideally, it should absorb odours, wick away moisture and kill bacteria - ideally the insole should be impregnated with a special antibacterial compound.

Don't forget that unlike man-made materials, natural materials wear out and eventually take the shape of the foot. By the way: in hot weather, feet swell a little – keep this in mind when you buy summer shoes.

Patent leather shoes should not be worn in summer as they are not very breathable and do not absorb moisture. You can wear patent leather shoes to a formal event, but for everyday wear open sandals or shoes made of natural materials are more suitable.

For spring and fall it is important that your shoes are water repellent but still allow your foot to breathe. If your boots or ankle boots have zippers, they must not start too close to the sole, otherwise your foot will get wet from even a small puddle. Unlike summer shoes, boots shouldn't lie flat on the foot (you won't wear them on bare feet). — Try them on with a thick sock.

When it comes to winter boots or shoes, the most important thing is the — the sole. It should be thick enough and have a special profile to prevent slipping. It is safest to wear shoes with a different profile - for example, one part striped, another with rounded bumps. The sole should also have a profile and be made of rubber, not plastic, otherwise the foot will be slippery.

victim of fashion

Undoubtedly, every woman wants to look fashionable and elegant. The shoe industry offers many ways to make legs look slimmer and longer. Stilettos, narrow-toed boots, platforms - there's no denying that these shoes are more feminine than chunky-soled boots. But how safe are these fashionable extravagances?

The dangers of high heels have already been mentioned. But platform shoes should not be abused either. First, a high platform (like stilettos) doesn't preclude injury: it's easy to twist your leg. Second, when walking on a platform, the ligaments and muscles of the foot are left without 'work' and flat feet can result. If you buy such shoes, choose a correspondingly wide and therefore more stable platform. Remember that neither stilettos nor platforms are suitable for driving. A stiletto heel can stick to the mat and prevent you from switching from one pedal to the next, while a thick platform prevents you from feeling your foot's pressure on the pedal.

Another fashion favorite - the pointed toe - isn't innocent either. These shoes pinch the toes and bring them closer together. This causes the thumb and pinky to go down and the other toes to go up. All of this carries the risk of deforming the toes and developing painful blisters and 'bumps'. Because body weight pushes the foot into a wedge-shaped space (especially if the shoe has a heel height of 5 to 6 centimeters or more next to the pointed toe), all of the load is transferred to the bones of the middle toe. This leads to a transverse flatfoot and painful calluses on the soles.

Therapeutic orthopedic shoes

Orthopedic therapeutic shoes (GOST 54407-2011) are shoes whose design was developed taking into account pathological changes in the foot, shin or hip.

Orthopedic therapeutic shoes are necessary to correct foot deformities and prevent their development. These shoes are only prescribed by an orthopedic surgeon.

Small orthopedic therapy shoes are prescribed by an orthopedic surgeon to correct foot deformities. The special features of these shoes are a high heel, a high back, a stiff shoe in the ankle area and a low heel.

Thanks to the firm support, the foot is always in the right position and over time it will assume a normal shape and posture. This type of shoes must be worn at all times.

Orthopedic therapy shoes are prescribed by an orthopedist for severe or irreversible foot deformities and after amputations. These shoes are custom made to your measurements.

When orthopedic footwear is needed

Foot deformities in children can be congenital or acquired. The former are diagnosed by doctors soon after birth, and the mother finds out about them at birth. In most cases, these are acquired deformities that appear as the child grows and develops.

At age 7, as the bones, ligaments, and muscles of the foot are forming, a child may be diagnosed with the following

• flat valgus feet (X-shaped feet): The foot is tilted inward and the heel is turned outward. This is one of the most common diagnoses in children under 6 years old.
• Varus planting of the feet (O foot): The foot is tilted outward.

If the child was born with a foot anomaly or the pathology was later diagnosed by a doctor, then the child needs therapeutic orthopedic footwear.

Prophylactic orthopedic footwear

Prophylactic orthopedic shoes are shoes designed to prevent the development of pathological foot deformities. Prophylactic orthopedic shoes are correct anatomical shoes for children and are recommended for all children from the first steps up to the age of 7 years.

Who needs prophylactic orthopedic footwear?

Without exception, all children are born with flat feet, which means that physiological flat feet are normal.

The area of the foot where the longitudinal arch forms fills with fat over time. The fat pad persists until about the age of 3 years, after which the muscles and ligaments begin to actively develop, gradually increasing the height of the arch of the foot.

Around the age of 6 years, the longitudinal arch is formed, and at this age a specialist doctor can determine with certainty whether a child has flat feet or not.

The ossification of the cartilaginous structures of the foot takes place at the age of 11-12 years. Up to this age, orthopaedists regard every foot position as physiological and correctable.

Proper foot training begins with the child's first steps. In the period of active growth, preventive footwear can help protect the child from foot deformities, flat feet, curvature of the spine and even problems with internal organs (especially in girls).

Orthopedic therapy shoes are always prescribed for children with diabetes and cerebral palsy. In the first case, this is necessary due to the vulnerability of the blood vessels, in the second - due to the weakness and instability of the joints.

When choosing shoes for your child, you should listen to your doctor's advice. Even if you buy your child's shoes from an expensive store, the most important thing to consider is the comfort and safety of your child's first shoes, sandals or boots. Only at a young age can foot pathologies be corrected or repaired.

5 tips for choosing orthopedic shoes for children

The question of the need for orthopedic shoes arises sooner or later for all parents without exception. The child rolls inwards, the heel deviates, the child complains of nocturnal foot pain - these are the questions parents ask the orthopedist. Usually, the doctor recommends a visit to an orthopedic specialty store to choose shoes and insoles. Parents are faced with the choice of which shoes to buy - expensive, imported or Russian-made. The shoes can be bought in a normal store - the sellers assure that they are orthopedic.

How is the flow of information to be understood?

First of all, it is important to remember that orthopedic shoes belong to the category of medical devices or technical rehabilitation devices. The marketing of such products is possible in our country only after a special approval. After appropriate verification by the Roszdravnadzor Federal Service, the manufacturer is issued with a Certificate of Registration (RU).

tip 1

Ask the seller for the registration certificate of the Federal Registration Service of the Russian Federation.
If not, you are being misled.

Although the shoes look like orthopedic shoes, they are not as they have not been tested. Such shoes cannot guarantee a therapeutic effect, but they can harm a child.

Twiki shoes that have a Roszdravnadzor registration certificate can guarantee a therapeutic effect.

Tip #2

Clubfoot and valgus deformities of the feet, like any other disease, can be mild, moderate or severe. Shoes of low complexity are shown for light and medium forms, complex shoes are shown for heavy forms. This classification is defined in GOST R 54407 – 2011 'Orthopedic shoes'. Shoes of low complexity are made to order, complex shoes must be made to order. The design of complex and non-complex shoes is different.

Features of the anatomical models

Anatomical shoes are made according to orthopedic standards and serve to prevent diseases of the musculoskeletal system of the feet. Wearing these shoes promotes the correct formation of the feet, which is why they are often recommended for children.

Anatomical pairs are characterized by:

• a soft padding that does not press on the skin and does not cause allergies or irritation
• a firm heel pad that keeps the heel in the right position;
• a low heel counter that evenly distributes the load on the foot;
• a high safety strap that gives the foot a secure hold;
• an orthopedic insole with a shank that allows correct positioning of the foot when walking;
• a wide sock that doesn't pinch your toes;
• a cushioned sole that improves the cushioning properties of the foot.

Anatomical shoes for children and adults are made of leather, suede and nubuck. They are permeable to air and do not cause a 'greenhouse effect'.

Types of orthopedic models

Orthopedic shoes serve to prevent and treat diseases of the musculoskeletal system of the lower limbs. Depending on their purpose, they are:

• prophylactic: prevents joint deformation, relieves the ligaments; used to prevent flat feet and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system of the feet; is sold in specialist shops;
• therapeutic: to correct existing diseases of the musculoskeletal system; is custom-made after an orthopedic examination of the patient; adapts to the shape of the patient's foot;
• rehabilitative: helps restore lower limb function after a serious injury or surgery; relieves weakened foot areas and shifts them to healthy areas; has an open heel or toe box.

Orthopedic shoes for children and adults are made from natural materials and are allergy-free. They are available in summer, winter and demi-season versions.

design features

The special footwear is suitable for daily use for adults and children.

Indications for orthopedic models are:

• flat feet;
• reduced mobility of the lower limbs;
• shortened feet;
• heel spur;
• valgus deformity of the big toe;
• osteoarthritis;
• varicose veins.

Special models are also required for diabetes. They prevent the development of a diabetic foot. Such pairs do not have rigid internal seams, so they do not irritate the skin and prevent the formation of trophic ulcers, through which a weakened body can get infected.

Useful Properties

Orthopedic shoes have a positive effect on health:

principles of selection

Correct foot development – means correct posture, healthy joints and spine. Malformations and diseases that can be traced back to the wrong choice of footwear in childhood are not uncommon.

• The first shoes can be thought of when the child begins to stand on his own two feet and is ready to walk independently. However, it is worth adhering to the principle that shoes should be an organic complement to the foot and put them on the child only when necessary.
• It is important that the child can move its toes freely - the toe of the shoe should be wide and high. If the forefoot is too narrow, it presses on the toes, which can lead to a foot defect such as hallux valgus in children with a flexible musculoskeletal system. The front and back of the shoe should be slightly elevated as this will facilitate foot movement when walking.
• The sole should be non-slip. Otherwise there is a risk that the child will slip on the linoleum in the dance hall of the kindergarten or on the tiles in a shop. If the floor is wet, the risk increases many times over! And the soles of the children's feet must not be too hard. Why? Because the muscles in the foot don't work properly if the soles are too hard, they don't work at all! With a flexible sole, the child can feel rocks and bumps in the ground and properly shift weight from heel to toe. All this contributes to the development of the feet and has a positive effect on the child's motor skills.
• Children's shoes should be breathable - the foot should not sweat. Shoes should therefore be made of leather, natural fabrics (e.g. cotton) or materials with built-in membranes that wick sweat from the inside but prevent soaking through to the outside.
• The upper should reach just above the ankle. The heel counter does not have to be very rigid, the most important thing is that it fits snugly on the foot but allows a slight lateral movement when the child is walking or running.
• Proper children's shoes must not have a completely flat inner sole. The sole should be slightly raised in the middle area. It is important that the inside of the shoe does not have any seams that could cause discomfort to the child. It is good if the inside of the shoe is made of a soft material that makes walking comfortable.

The best first shoes for babies - Attipas

Walking barefoot promotes the development of children's feet, and muscles work best when the ground is uneven. Sand, rounded stones, grass and moss massage the receptors that control the large organs and help form the arch of the foot. However, we live in a world of concrete and tarmac, and the weather is so changeable that constantly walking barefoot will do your child more harm than good. That's why you need the right anatomical footwear.

Attipas is an innovative approach to the development of children's feet. They are shoes that:

• Promotes the natural development of the foot by evenly distributing pressure.
• Acts on biologically active points, which also affects the cognitive development of the child's brain.
• It has a very soft cotton sock and a flexible sole made of eco-friendly, hypoallergenic silicone.
• Breathable, antiperspirant and hygienic.
• Good heel hold from a strong heel cuff and heel support without restricting movement.

Features a wide toe guard to protect the toes, preventing toes from developing properly.

Offer of orthopedic shoes for children

With the variety of orthopedic models for the child, one can distinguish between 2 types of shoes:

Medical insoles These can be incorporated into existing shoes or ordered specifically for the child's foot after consultation with a podiatrist. The removable insole allows the foot to return to its correct position and eliminate deformities. In addition, orthopedic shoes with a high shaft should be used for varus or valgus.

These are made individually based on a plaster cast of the child's foot. The changes in the foot are taken into account, so that different groups of complex orthopedic children's shoes are made:

So, knowing what models are available, what they are designed for and how they should be used can help determine exactly what shoes a child with a foot defect needs. In any case, orthopedic children's shoes should only be bought after consulting an orthopaedist.

Shoes for children to prevent flat feet

Prevention is easier than cure - parents should be guided by this principle when they want to protect their child from a disease that is one of the most common ailments of modern man.

Buying the right footwear for children when they are just learning to walk is important to avoiding musculoskeletal disorders. First, buy slippers made of soft, breathable material that can be adjusted to the foot (with buckles, Velcro, or laces). The sole should have good flexibility.

The maximum height of the child's heel should not exceed 1.5-2 cm. This element should be wide and stable, occupying a third of the sole area. Buying shoes with a wide nose will prevent deformed toes and painful blisters. The foot must not sag in the shoe, move sideways or backwards.

Which shoes should not be worn with flat feet?

If a flatfoot diagnosis is confirmed, you should immediately check your shoe collection and stop wearing it:

Nowadays you can easily find a chic pair for every season in a collection of special orthopedic shoes. These shoes, boots and sandals look just as good as regular shoes without insoles.

A disease should not be underestimated in its early stages. With early treatment and wearing corrective shoes, you can avoid the serious consequences of such deformities, restore the shape of your foot in no time and enjoy a life without flat feet!

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