Orthotic devices are shoe inserts that are used to redistribute stress and to accommodate abnormal function of defective muscles or ligaments of the foot. Controlling the posture of the foot and padding certain areas will relieve pressure and provide increased comfort for the foot. This orthotic device may be attached to the sole of the shoe, or as an insole be inserted inside the shoe, may work as cup of the foot, or extended across the ankle to hold the entire foot and ankle in place. These orthotics devices are made to correct an abnormal or irregular walking pattern, align and support the foot or ankle, prevent, correct or accommodate foot deformities thus improving the overall function of the foot or ankle. For various foot problems, doctors of podiatric medicine recommend the use of orthotics as a method of control after certain foot surgery. Once orthotic shoe device is inserted, it effectively controls foot motion during pace to reduce trauma of the lower extremity and to increase walking efficiency. Orthotic Shoe Sole Device To accommodate foot postural abnormalities, variety of heel and sole corrections were made available today in the market A medial or lateral heel or sole wedge (or a combination of both) helps control extreme pronation or suspination from weak tendons, ligamentous instability, or fixed deformities. Wide heel is important to increase the stability of the subtalar joint. Stabilizing the patient’s forefoot to move in a normal step pattern in case of fracture or arthritis with an ankle fusion, a rocker sole is needed. An orthosis device is made up of a unitary, curved wedge having a hook-like shape when viewed from above and includes a heel portion adapted to engage the sides of the heel. A middle portion designed to engage the plantar side of the medial portion of the longitudinal arch, and a front portion designed to engage the plantar side of the forefoot to a level just distal to the first and second metatarsal heads. The orthosis adjusts itself to different arch heights, thus can be made and designed without requiring custom fitting.

It is made up of a firm material such as plastic or carbon fiber primarily for walking or dress shoes. Generally it is fabricated through a plaster of paris molder. The device normally extends along the sole of the heel to the ball or toes of the foot and mostly in less than two inches high heeled close shoes. Because of the nature of the materials involved, any little alteration in shoe size is important. Orthotic Insole Device To alter the posture, fixed deformities, and to redistribute stress of the foot, an insole orthotic device is used. The simplest orthotic device is a soft liner for a shoe or boot made out of a high-density foam material. Other simple orthoses include a soft felt pad to relieve pressure on the metartasal heads or a port to control deformities such as forefoot varus or valgus deformity. The patient may need a larger or deeper shoe for orthotic devices take up space in the shoe. Soft orthotic device is more advantageous because it easily adjust to sudden weight-bearing changing force. The disadvantage is that a times it should be replaced or restore. Particularly it is effective for arthritic and grossly deformed feet because it lessens fatty tissue on the side of the foot and is widely used to patients with diabetic foot.