Plantar supports, commonly known as insoles, are, nowadays, one of the most used devices in Podiatry, since they help to improve the quality of life of those who need them, correcting some of the foot pathologies.
Dr. Martínez Oller, a specialist in podiatry, talks in this article about the main factors that may influence the specialist’s decision to recommend the use of plantar supports.
When is it necessary to use insoles?
There are many different indications for you, as a specialist, to recommend the use of insoles in patients. Some of the factors that influence this decision are:
- The correct management of the forces reaching the foot and therefore its correct growth in children.
- The prevention of injuries and increased athletic performance in athletes.
- The use in the event of discomfort in the foot, leg, hip or back that could be attributable to an incorrect management of the forces that the foot has to manage with each step, as well as to redistribute pressures that can lead to ulcers in diabetic patients.
What is the function of orthopedic insoles?
The function of the insoles will depend on the objective that has been set for each patient. Therefore, if what we need is to relieve some area of the foot of excess pressure, they will have different corrections than if what we want is to align a limb or level a hip.
What types of insoles are there?
There are as many insoles as materials we can name, that is to say, many. From our center, after almost thirty years testing different materials and techniques, we can say that, to date, the one that comes closest to what we have always been looking for in terms of precision, adaptability, elastic memory, durability and an endless number of other properties are laser-sintered 3D insoles. It is a truly disruptive treatment that is giving us excellent results.
Is an adaptation period necessary at the beginning of its use?
Well, this is just one of the properties that we have not mentioned before, the adaptation period can be reduced to two days, but it is no coincidence, here is the key to the precision with which we work. We are talking about microns, so that almost from the first moment the patient is not only not facing a treatment that is difficult to adapt to, but improvements are also achieved in shorter times.
Are there any side effects from the use of insoles?
Sometimes we may notice stiffness in the hips, legs or back. The reason is that, although the major corrective effect is at foot level, the effect is reflected in more distant areas. In runners, blisters may appear, but this is rare. Otherwise, there are few other side effects.
What happens if the insoles are not used?
We return to the example of force management, if we do not use them it is not synonymous with a problem, injury or deformation, but we do multiply the possibilities of these. It would be comparable to the use of any element that guarantees to protect any function normally. Not using them does not necessarily have to be dramatic, especially if we do not have an intense work or sports life.