Featured Product - Superfeet Premium Insoles

The Superfeet GREEN is our most popular insole and has been on the market for over 30 years. It is designed primarily for footwear with a removable insole and is the recommended choice for those seeking maximum support and shock absorption.

RECOMMENDED FOOT TYPE 

Ideal for feet with medium to high arches.

RECOMMENDED FOOTWEAR

Running, walking, hiking, alpine, industrial, and military footwear.

AVAILABLE SIZES  

A-H | Men: 5.5 to 17 US | Women: 2.5 to 12+ US   Junior: 13.5 to 4 US

FootCareDepot’s Guide to Orthotics, Insoles and Arch Supports.

So many insoles which one do I need? There are many reasons why you should add inserts to your shoes. Maybe you have flat feet or maybe your feet are cold and you need a heated insole. Maybe you have diabetes and you need an insole to help with blood circulation. Maybe you’re an active runner who needs insole with shock absorption to get you through that marathon. In this guide we will explain the different types of insoles and inserts to help you choose the one you need.

Orthotics and Arch Supports

Lots of customers at FootCareDepot ask, "What is the difference between a custom orthotic and a simple arch support? Why should I spend that much more money on custom orthotics?

Arch supports also known as Orthotics are by far the most popular insoles purchased. Arch support are a rigid insert that may have different amounts of padding but is made with a reinforced arch that keeps your foot in place as you move. It is very important to always have an arch support in your shoes at all times. When the arch is not supported it can cause the tendons in muscles to rip at your heel causing severe heel pain also known as Plantar fasciitis. Custom Orthotics especially prescription ones, should be one of your last options, Think of them like any other prescription. If you have a sore throat, you'd try cough drops before penicillin. Same goes here. Custom orthotics cost anywhere from $375 and $450, and only about half of all insurance companies cover the cost. Custom Orthotics aren't an overnight solution either. A podiatrist makes a plaster cast of your foot, and then a lab creates the insole from the cast. It can take up to a month before you get them, and then when you do, they're still not race-ready. Just like a new pair of shoes you have to break them in for one to two weeks, and you could feel some discomfort until you get accustomed to them. If you are already experiencing heel pain also known as Plantar Fasciitis then it is too late for custom orthotics they are more a preventative then a healer.

Arch Cushions

Arch Cushions come in ¾ size and full length and are normally used by people that do not have severe arch problems. Arch cushions have the same design as an Orthotic except they are made with softer foam padding in the arch instead of a rigid plastic. Arch cushions can be used as a beginner insole so you can work yourself up to wearing a more rigid, supportive orthotic.

Cushion Insoles

Cushioned insoles are just what they say they are insoles with lots of padding. Cushioned insoles are a comfort insole that people generally use if they stand for long periods of time to make their feet feel better. They do give your feet better shock absorption and better support and make your feet just feel good. If you are just looking for an insole that keeps your feet comfortable than cushion insoles are just what you are looking for. They do not provide the support as a orthotic does and they do not treat any foot ailments and sometimes they can mask the problem that persist in your feet.

Sport Insoles

Sport insoles are made to fit specific needs of the athlete. Snowboarders and skiers need insoles that will keep their feet warm. Runners need insoles with extra padding at the heel for the most shock absorption. Bicyclers need insoles that will fit smaller shoes and that can breath better.

Unique Insoles

Some examples of unique insoles are liquid insoles also they make magnetic insoles or even insoles with heat packets to keep your feet warm in the snow.

Gel Shoe Insoles * The unique Shoe Insoles shape gives arch support and has a tapered, lower profile at the toes for an improved fit. * Shoe Insoles Made from Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR), combining superior cushioning and energy return for ultimate comfort.

What is a HEEL SPUR?

Heel spurs are soft, bendable deposits of calcium that are the result of tension and inflammation in the plantar fascia attachment to the heel.  Heel spurs do not cause pain. They are only evidence (not proof) that a patient may have plantar fasciitis.  

Symptoms

• Pain or tenderness over the weight-bearing part of the bottom of the heel.
• A bump that can sometimes be felt when the area is touched.

However, symptoms in the heel are most often caused by inflammation rather than by the spur itself.

A heel spur can be diagnosed by looking at an X-ray. In most cases the spur is not the main cause of the heel pain, so the spur is generally left alone and the cause of the heel pain is treated. For instance, a painful and inflamed tendon near the spur (plantar fasciitis) may need treatment.

Treatments for Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis

• Ice your feet - icing will help diminish some of the symptoms and control the heel pain. Icing is especially    helpful after an acute exacerbation of symptoms.

• Stretching the fascia in the morning after sleeping before getting out of bed.

• Arch Support (Amazing Insoles Liquid Orthotics, Spenco, Powerstep)

• Never walk in your bare feet always have your arch supported (Orthaheel, Spenco, Sole) 

• Lose weight (Most sufferers are people who are overweight and middle-aged. This is due to the shock-absorbing fat pillow under the foot shrinking over the years and becoming less effective.

• Day time treatment (Amazing Insoles Liquid Orthotics, HTP Heel Seats)

• Night time therapy (Night Splint to keep your foot at a 90 degree angle that keeps the fascia stretched over night.

• Rest

New product for kids – Kidzerts Children Insoles

Kidzerts are a wear moldable arch support for children, which mean that over time they will conform to each individual foot. Kidzerts are podiatrist recommended arch supports, designed to help relieve muscle fatigue associated with excess foot motion. When parents purchase a new pair of shoes for there kid they don’t even think the insole in a new pair of shoes is just some cheap flimsy insole with no support. Kidzerts will not only improve the way shoes fit they will also provide extra comfort and arch support that are needed to keep children’s feet healthy. Foot odor will not be a problem with Kidzerts because they are made with an anti-bacterial top cover that will kill over 650 different types of bacteria. Kidzerts children arch supports are a must for every kid’s shoes.

Available Sizes:

Kids:

26 (US 9-10)

28 (US 10.5-11.5)

30 (US 12-13)

Youth:

32 (US 1-1.5)

34 (US 2-3)

36 (US 4-5)

Plantar Fasciitis Explained

Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition within the foot which causes stabbing, burning pain in the heel area. Many times, people who suffer from plantar fasciitis feel the most pain early in the morning, or after any activity that involves running or jogging.

The pain that is felt with plantar fasciitis is due to swelling of a tissue which connects the heel bone to the toes. This tissue, which is called the plantar fascia, is found on the bottom of your foot. Overnight, or during periods of inactivity such as time spent at a desk job, the plantar fascia tissue tightens up, causing pain when a person stands up and mobilizes. This pain is generally reduced as the person moves around.

Signs of Plantar Fasciitis

• Plantar fasciitis can occur in both feet at the same time, but generally occurs only in one foot.
• Sharp pains in middle of bottom of heel. The pain will feel like stabbing.
• Worst pain is felt when stepping after lengthy immobility, including after sleep, as well as when stretching the bottom of the foot by tip-toeing or climbing.
• Pain is felt after exercise, but rarely during exercise, unless bottom of foot is being stretched.
• A small amount of swelling in the heel.

Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
The pain and inflammation experienced with plantar fasciitis is caused by repetitive tearing of the plantar fascia tissue. Some things which can cause or contribute to this tearing include:

• Overdoing physical activities, particularly running and climbing.
• Chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes have been shown to increase risks of plantar fasciitis.
• Walking incorrectly or having an abnormally shaped foot.
• Wearing shoes without the proper support.

Some people are more at risk than others for developing plantar fasciitis. As mentioned above, those with diabetes and arthritis are at risk. Athletes, people who are flat-footed, people who are overweight, and pregnant women are all at higher risk than others. Your job also contributes to your risk factor. If you are a waitress, for example, who is on her feet almost her entire shift, you can be more at risk for plantar fasciitis.
Medical Care for Plantar Fasciitis
If you experience any of the signs listed above for plantar fasciitis you should seek corrective action as plantar fasciitis can become more severe as time goes buy. Conditions which cause poor circulation can be very dangerous to your feet, and issues with the feet can be severely complicated by these conditions.

If you believe that you may have plantar fasciitis, you should not ignore the condition and hope it will go away. Although plantar fasciitis in itself is not generally a very serious condition, if left untreated, it can develop into problems with mobility and issues with other parts of the body.

Treating Plantar Fasciitis
Treatments for this condition range from minimal home therapy to surgical procedures. Some of the most common treatment recommendations for plantar fasciitis include:

• Wearing a Night Splint at night to hold the fascia in a stretched position.
• Supports inside your shoe to provide better pressure distribution. See our Heel Seats
• Physical therapy and morning stretches if Heel Seats and Night Splints are not eliminating all of the pain.

Preventing Plantar Fasciitis
Although plantar fasciitis is not a life-threatening condition, it can be annoying and troublesome, particularly if it causes you to restrict your level of motion. Therefore, you will want to take preventative measures to keep this condition from developing. Some preventative measures include:

• Stretching legs, ankles, and feet prior to stepping out of bed in the morning.
• Wear shoes which provide proper support, and try not to wear high heels.
• If participating in sports, always warm up.
• Keep in shape and at a healthy weight.