What are the best features to look for when purchasing orthopedic footwear?
Reinforced Shank (Steel or Plastic): This feature is included in a shoe when you are unable to twist the sole area located behind the arch of the shoe (torsional strength). This helps the foot from twisting during gait. Rocker Sole: When the toe area of the sole is curved upwards to ease pressure off the toes or ball of the foot when walking or running, most often seen in running shoes. Rigid Heel Counter: This feature is present when the area covering the back of your heel cannot be pressed down into the shoe. This may seem excessively rigid, but is a very important feature when considering a stable, structured shoe. If you are able to walk with the back part of your shoe folded down under your heel, the counter is not rigid enough. Multi-density Outsole: This feature is easiest to visualize in running shoes. Often, two different materials are used on the outsole of the shoe and therefore two distinct colours can be seen along the vertical aspect of the sole. This distributes shock fo
