Special needs orthopedic shoes
In addition to the kinds of orthopedic shoes that are readily available on-line and through specialist stores, there are some more specialised shoes that are built for each individual and their unique foot shape or problem.
These shoes, which we have called "special needs" simply because each shoe has a special need or requirement for each wearer, are made to measure and order. They can be called custom or handmade shoes and you can find out more about handmade shoes here.
Special shoes
This kind of orthopedic shoe usually requires a high level of customisation and an experienced tradesman’s skill and it typically has a significant positive impact on the comfort and mobility of its wearer.
Ordinarily the patient or customer will require an appointment for one or more fittings that include measuring all aspects of the feet. The shoes will then be made separately (i.e. with independent foot measurements) for each of the feet.
Examples of orthopedic shoes of this type include -
- Shoes with a built up heal for one or both feet
- Shoes that remove the need for callipers or other special equipment
- Shoes that compensate for a misshapen foot
- Shoes that compensate for an injured or damaged foot
- Shoes that compensate for the omission or addition of toes.
Most of these specialist orthopedic shoe types can be prescribed by a doctor or physician and the manufacturers or cobblers usually employ an orthotic expert. For examples of the kinds of shoes that these companies can make, see www.specialfootwear.co.uk.
To get a general idea of the health of your feet, you can take a foot imprint and then look at the page foot print to find out if your feet are normal, pronated, or supinated.