Shoes have been an important part of our lives. It makes our movements comfortable and helps to maintain the health of our legs. Unfortunately, there are people born with leg length deformities and some get this deformity after any fractures and other bone-related issues. The importance of orthopedic shoes will be incomplete without focusing on how it helps the seniors to have a smooth movement. For people with leg length discrepancies and seniors, the regular shoes are not as comfortable as for healthy legs. In this situation, orthopedic shoes are of great help. So, let’s understand what orthopedic shoes mean.
What Are Orthopedic Shoes?
Orthopedic shoes are shoes that have customized soles and/or heels to provide a stable platform to the structure of the foot, ankle, and leg. People with leg-length deformities are more likely to need orthopedic shoes. Seniors often need orthopedic shoes to manage the changes in their bodies because of age. This simple yet powerful tool helps them move comfortably. For the seniors, this is more than just a shoe.
What Are the Common Foot Issues the Seniors Experience?
Many of the studies reveal that almost 80% of elderly patients have issues related to feet and wearing shoes with wrong fitting is a contributing factor. So what are the common issues?
Arthritis: This is swelling and tenderness of cartilage and lining of joints. It usually builds up fluid in the joints making your feet stiff and painful.
Bunions: A bunion is a painful bony bump that develops inside the big toe joint. It occurs because of years of foot pressure displacing the front part of the foot. Wearing a shoe with the wrong fit can be a cause of it as well.
Plantar fasciitis: This is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It is an inflammation in the tissues that connect the heel to the base of the toes along the bottom of the foot. It can cause severe pain in the foot.
Heel pain: It is seen that in seniors, calcium deposits at the heels make it quite painful to walk. There are other reasons like heel spurs and tendonitis that immensely contribute to the pain in the heel.
Diabetes: It is not a disease that only spikes blood glucose levels but affects multiple organs including the foot. Diabetes can cause foot-related problems like ulcers at the bottom of the feet.
Older adults with edema or swelling in the foot often need special attention while choosing shoes that assist them to walk comfortably. Custom-made orthopedic shoes are proven to be the best solution for many of these populations.
What are the features that Orthopedic Shoes for Seniors need?
As mentioned before orthopedic shoes are shoes that are customized to meet the specific needs of feet and legs. No two conditions are the same and the customization as well. Along with strength and flexibility; height adjustment is one of the modifications that an orthopedic shoe specialist can add to the shoes to make the seniors walk safely and comfortably.
Whether you need orthopedic sneakers or are simply looking for the best shoes for older adults, be flexible and understand your choices. “Strength, flexibility, disease, and their environment are all factors to be considered,” says Ware.
Cushioning and shock absorption is very important and this can be done by adding removable insoles. However, someone with higher leg length differences needs heel lifts as it gives stronger support and better cushioning to the foot.
Where to Get the Best Customized Orthopedic Shoes for Seniors:
American Heelers, the best orthopedic shoe repair center in Cleveland, OH has been customizing shoes for over 100 years to meet the specific requirements of a leg or foot condition. The start-of-art shoe modification service is well equipped with modern technology and experienced shoe modification specialists to provide the finest quality of service at the quickest possible time in and around the United States. Visit orthopedicshoelift.com/faq.htm or call 888-443-3537 or email info@americanheeler.com to know more about their service and customize your shoes to walk comfortably.