Table of Contents Show
They don’t always help with such problems, but they made a significant improvement for me. I’ll tell you when it’s worth buying special insoles, when it’s not necessary, whether you can buy ready-made ones, and how to choose the right ones.
The patient presented with bunions on the sides of their big toes causing discomfort, and they opted to try orthopedic insoles. While these insoles may not always alleviate such issues, the patient reported experiencing significant relief. The article can provide guidance on when to consider purchasing specialized insoles, how to determine if they are necessary, the possibility of purchasing pre-made ones, and how to choose the appropriate ones.
Why was patient recommended orthopedic insoles
As a teenager, the patient wore shoes that were fashionable but uncomfortable, with narrow and pointed toes and high heels. She started feeling pain in the bunion on her big toes, which appeared as bumps when her toes deviated towards the neighboring toes. Her long toes were crammed together, and calluses appeared on them. The patient’s grandmother had the same issue, and she underwent surgery to remove the bumps. However, the patient did not want to undergo surgery and continued to wear uncomfortable shoes.
When the patient was 23 years old, she stopped wearing uncomfortable shoes and started choosing comfortable ones. But in shoes that didn’t hold their shape, her foot would slide, and the sole would wear unevenly. The patient didn’t want to spend a lot of money on high-quality shoes, so she continued to wear whatever she could find in mass-market stores. As a result, her bunions grew a little and caused some pain. Sometimes, she even felt a sharp pain, as if she were being poked with a needle, even when she was barefoot.
This worried the patient, and she made an appointment with a traumatologist-orthopedist through her private health insurance. The doctor examined her feet, said that an X-ray was needed to confirm the diagnosis, recommended making custom orthopedic insoles, and taking ibuprofen if the bunions hurt a lot. The X-ray showed a valgus deformity and first-degree osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joints. They gave the patient the foot X-ray images on a disk, but she never opened it.
The orthopedist gave the patient a brochure for a store that makes orthopedic insoles, and she decided to try them. Although orthopedic insoles don’t always help with such problems, they made a significant improvement for her. She found that custom orthopedic insoles were worth buying in her case, as they reduced the pain and discomfort caused by her bunions. However, she also provides some guidance on when it’s not necessary to buy custom insoles and when ready-made ones may be sufficient. She also shares tips on how to choose the right orthopedic insoles.
Do orthopedic insoles help with foot bunions?
For individuals with mild foot bunions, insoles and other orthopedic devices can be beneficial. Nevertheless, if the pain and discomfort persist when walking, surgery may be required. It is important to keep in mind that orthopedic insoles cannot correct the shape of the foot; they can only relieve symptoms and improve gait in some instances.
The first step to consider is consulting with an orthopedist to identify the problem and determine if insoles can help achieve the desired outcome. After that, only then should one purchase the insoles. Seeking advice from a specialist is beneficial because not every bunion can be treated with insoles, and selecting an inappropriate insole can cause more harm than good.
It is essential to recognize that selecting the right insoles necessitates a personalized approach. Orthopedic insoles come in various shapes and sizes, and selecting the appropriate one depends on the degree of hallux valgus deformity, the foot’s shape, and the patient’s individual preferences. Additionally, the materials utilized to make the insoles vary, which may impact their effectiveness.
Orthopedic insoles may also be necessary in cases where:
- The muscles and ligaments cannot keep the foot in a functional position, causing pain, discomfort, and fatigue.
- Shoes wear out unevenly. For example, the sole on one side wears out more than on the other side.
- Calluses constantly appear on the toes.
- The person has to walk or stand for a long time.
- There are any problems with the feet, such as flat feet, heel spurs, and so on.
Do healthy people need orthopedic insoles?
Orthopedic insoles are not really necessary for people, especially for those who are healthy. A generally accepted fact in modern medical literature is the statement that “the best feet are those of a person who walks barefoot”. And this makes sense: the biomechanics of the foot, the work of the ligament apparatus, muscles, and joints are more effective when they are not restricted.
Orthopedic insoles and shoes are a way to compensate for limb shortening or to relieve a painful area of the foot. For example, they will help if the patient cannot step on a certain part of the foot.
In most cases, an orthopedic insole or shoe is a crutch that we are forced to use for movement. It is often said that the insole relieves the leg and removes the load from the healthy foot, making it easier for even healthy people to walk. Then it would be logical to assert that crutches also remove the load and are needed by everyone to make walking easier. But this is not the case.
An orthopedic insole or orthopedic shoe is usually a temporary solution. They are needed until the end of treatment or recovery. When a person is forced to wear orthopedic insoles constantly, the question arises as to why this is the case and whether the problem can be solved in another way. If there is some disease, it needs to be treated, not just wear insoles.
The question of whether to choose a ready-made or custom-made insole in a specific case is a matter for the treating physician. It all depends on why it is needed.
How orthopedic insoles helped patient
The patient reports satisfaction with their insoles, which they have been wearing for two years, and the frequency of bone pain has decreased.
However, the doctor recommended that the patient wear the insoles year-round and with any type of shoes, as surgery is the only alternative if the problem persists. The patient finds it challenging to adhere to this recommendation because they enjoy wearing open-toe shoes in the summer, where they are unable to secure the insoles. While the size of the bones has remained the same, the patient is relieved to know that they haven’t grown any further.
Remember
- It is better to avoid wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes, high heels, and pointed-toe shoes as they can lead to calluses, the appearance of bone protrusions, foot pain, and other problems.
- If calluses often form on your feet, you experience discomfort due to bone protrusions on your big or pinky toes, or your heels hurt, it is a reason to see an orthopedic traumatologist.
- Individual orthopedic insoles cannot remove bone protrusions or correct the shape of the foot, but they can reduce discomfort.
- Orthopedic insoles are usually a temporary solution. If you have to wear them constantly, you need another way to get rid of the problem.
Responses