Orthopedic shoes are often usually used by older people, due to them suffering from medical problems. Situations like these call for Orthotic Sandals.
Orthopedic shoes and sandals are normally worn by people of all ages though, not only the elderly, as a lot of people might suffer from foot problems or poor foot mechanics at any age. These types of sandals and shoes are specially designed to help support the structure of the foot, the leg, or even the ankle.
To fully understand the concept behind such footwear, you need to understand what ‘orthopedic’ means. Orthopedic means ‘correct feet’ in Greek. This means it helps provide solutions and corrective measures to any foot-related problem.
Orthopedics Benefits
Orthopedic Shoes or orthotic sandals have some of the main characteristics, which you should be aware of, to distinguish them from other shoes.
1. They would have removable insoles
Orthotic sandals or orthopedic shoes tend to have insoles that can be removed. However, this might be imperative, as a lot of people might upgrade to better insoles for diabetic patients, orthotics, or customized orthotics.
2. Extra Width and variety of sizes
These types of shoes or sandals would always have some extra width to them and come in a lot of sizes
3. Flexible uppers
They would have uppers that would be able to accommodate and bear with forefoot problems like bunions or hammertoes.
4. Easy to fasten and use
These shoes will help people with their feet problem, and especially help those who have a problem adjusting to mobility, flexibility as well as other problems with their own hands. An example of this is the patients who have arthritis.
5. Seamless uppers
These have no areas which would lead to rubbing or abrasion.
6. Heels are comfortable
The heels of these sandals or shoes tend to be comfortable, as they are firm and supportive. They support the rear of the foot.
7. Strong sole
The sole of these shoes or sandals would be well-cushioned. They would be strong and would have defined flex-points.
What kind of people wear orthopedic shoes?
The people with the following problems are required to wear orthopedic shoes, as they would highly benefit from them
· People who suffer from Lymphedema, Edema (Swollen feet)
· Heel Pain- Plantar Fasciitis
· Bunions
· Flat Feet
· Heel Spurs
· Hammertoes
· Diabetes
· Arthritis
· Feet surgery recovery
It is important to remember that a well fitted and supportive footwear will easily help people with feet problem live free from pain and increase their mobility. This leads to an increase in activities and makes the quality of living much better.
Another good thing about orthotic sandals is that they tend to be helpful in arch support, as they improve the gait and helps with the alignment of the feet within the right position. This helps ensure that the ankle is in the correct position as well. Wearing sandals that don’t have the orthotic qualities, it might lead to the feet becoming more parallel to the ground. This causes a lot of stress on the ankle.
In the warm-weathered summer season, there is more possibility of a lot of time being spent outside. There is increased mobility but there might be a problem in being comfortable with mobility, especially for those suffering from foot problems.