Orthopedics, the feet and shoes

The words orthopedic and orthopedics are terms that are often referred to in the context of products like shoes, beds and chairs, but without any explanation of what they actually mean in those contexts. This page should help explain what orthopedic means, or insinuates, when used in conjunction with shoes and footwear.

In the context of shoes and foot care, orthopedics refers to the area of medicine that focuses upon the care, prevention, treatment and resolution of injuries that relate to the bones, ligaments and muscles that operate the foot.

Orthopedic shoes and footwear can therefore be seen as footwear that is specifically designed and manufactured with these ideals in mind. In short to help maintain or assist the health of the feet and encourage the prevention or resolution of injuries.

This means that the design of an orthopedic shoe concerns itself with the comfort and support of the feet, and the possible correction of a foot problem, rather than the style and aesthetics of the shoe's design.

Most orthopedic designed shoes have few differences to regular shoes, however they normally feature higher quality materials, greater levels of padding and shaping, and an absence of internal seams. This can lead to them having a somewhat chunky appearance, but this look ties in with many current fashions and the appearance of most trainers and sneakers.

Other characteristic differences can include easy fit fasteners, stretchable zones, breathable materials like Gortex and a firmer more structured construction of the shoe's upper. This means that good quality walking or hiking shoes share the same attributes as shoes of an orthopedic design.

Fashion features like high or stiletto style heels, low or loose uppers and a generally unsupportive design are not attributes found in orthopedic shoes.

Shoes of this style should be avoided by people of all ages irrespective of the heath of their feet and type of activity that they are engaged in.