Hammertoes, corns and bunions are some of the many problems that plague people who don’t take proper care of the feet, and hence orthotic shoes could prove helpful. Wearing the right footwear and making the right choice, blending comfort and style is critical to keeping the feet in great shape. There are a lot of things that one needs to keep in mind when it comes to looking for the right orthopaedic shoes. The footwear for men and women has developed a lot in recent times with style and comfort well balanced with the right material and design. In fact orthopaedic shoes for women at time come in classy colours with the right jazz and style that some of them prefer. So it is quite clear that these custom made shoes need not have to be painful and uncomfortable in order to look stylish. One can still manage to pull off some stylish designs without thoroughly hurting their feet. Here are some interesting aspects to look at when you choose for orthotic shoes.

Space

It is surprising how a lot of men and women wear narrow toed shoes which cramp their feet. They might look stylish but at the end of the day if one has to spend a lot of hours walking, standing or even just staying on with them, they could face adverse affects. Big toe problems, pain in the heels and the arches of the feet are all because the feet cannot expand or contract at the time of movement. When you are looking for orthopaedic shoes for women, ensure that they are wide toed with adequate support for the heels.

Material

Leather, both soft, hard and suede is usually preferred. Hard materials should be avoided. The outsoles should be preferably made of rubber material. This also helps on hard or slippery floors. When considering orthopaedic shoes for women, in particular it is good to avoid high heels as they can cause issues. The heels should preferably not be higher than one and a half inches. Another material which can be chosen is spandex for the upper stretches that will offer a good relief especially for those who are looking for orthopaedic shoes for bunions.

Design of the Shoes

Shoe design has a great role to play when it comes to orthotic shoes. Shoe inserts which can be replaced are also available to ease the pain a bit making walking comfortable. Pressure is greatly reduced by shoes with rocker bottoms. This ensures that the central metatarsal head and the portion under the heel do not feel a lot of pressure.

Corrective Shoe Inserts

The corrective shoe inserts or the brace are devices that are helpful in controlling, immobilizing and sometimes guiding various body segments like joints and extremities. Most of these shoe inserts are used for load transfer to different areas with flexibility offering a more stabilizing gait. Often, shoes cause a lot of trouble because the pressure of impact is not sufficiently diffused. The feet should get the space and breathability that is required during walking and running, which is what is provided by orthotic shoes.