Shoe insert

A pair of orthopedic insoles
A pair of regular leather inner soles

A removable shoe insert, otherwise known as a foot orthosis, insole or inner sole, accomplishes many purposes, including daily wear comfort, height enhancement, plantar fasciitis treatment, arch support, foot and joint pain relief from arthritis, overuse, injuries, leg length discrepancy, and other causes such as orthopedic correction and athletic performance.

Medical use of foot orthoses has been criticized as lacking evidence of benefit, and practice is very inconsistent: reputed podiatrists prescribe completely different orthoses for a single patient.[1][2][3] Further, effect of a given design of orthosis varies significantly by patient,[4] and standard practice to personalize prescription is not available.[5] However, evidence is mixed: patients often report at least short-term improvements in comfort, and other studies have found effectiveness.[6]

  1. ^ Chevalier, T.L. and Chockalingam, N., 2012. Effects of foot orthoses: how important is the practitioner?. Gait & posture, 35(3), pp.383-388.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2011.10.356
  2. ^ Nigg, Benno M. (2011). Biomechanics of Sports Shoes.
  3. ^ Kolata, Gina (January 17, 2011). "Close Look at Orthotics Raises a Welter of Doubts". The New York Times.
  4. ^ Chevalier, T.L. and Chockalingam, N., 2011. Foot orthoses: a review focusing on kinematics. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, 101(4), pp.341-348.https://doi.org/10.7547/1010341
  5. ^ Nigg, Benno M.; Stergiou, PRO; Cole, Gerald; Stefanyshyn, Darren; m??Ndermann, Anne; Humble, Neil (2003). "Effect of Shoe Inserts on Kinematics, Center of Pressure, and Leg Joint Moments during Running" (PDF). Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 35 (2): 314–319. doi:10.1249/01.MSS.0000048828.02268.79. PMID 12569222.
  6. ^ Gross, M. L.; Davlin, L. B.; Ebanski, P. M. (1991). "Effectiveness of orthotic shoe inserts in the long-distance runner". American Journal of Sports Medicine. 19 (4): 409–412. doi:10.1177/036354659101900416. PMID 1897659. S2CID 23550947.