The human body is a fairly remarkable structure. 206 bones form a strong, highly mobile skeleton that acts as a support for all our organs and an anchor for hundreds of muscles. Of course something this complex needs to be in perfect order to work properly, and this isn’t always the case. Whether through injuries or birth imperfections, sometimes bits are out of alignment. Orthopedics is the branch of medicine that aims to put them back in alignment and get everything working again. This is often done by using supports or braces, which can be tailored for almost any part of the body. Some of the most common and best known, though, are those designed for the feet. Our feet are a key part of bodies, because they’re the bit that our entire weight rests on, and any problems there can have a serious knock-on effect. Orthotics are idea for resolving foot problems, and one of the ones they’re most commonly applied to is flat feet.

Flat feet are a condition that affects up to one person in six. Often it’s a result of the arches - the raised portion in the center of the feet - not developing normally; other times it can be caused by injury or other medical problems. People suffering from diabetes or obesity, for example, are prone to developing flat feet. The consequence is that instead of being supported on the ball and heel of each foot, the person’s weight is spread over the whole sole. While at first it might appear that this is a good thing, in fact it isn’t. A foot with a normal arch works like a spring, absorbing a lot of the impact of each step by flexing; when the arch has collapsed or didn’t develop this doesn’t happen. There are many people with naturally flat feet who don’t suffer any problems as a result, but others do. The lack of this spring mechanism means that a lot of stress is transmitted to the joints in the feet and legs, and the normal wear and tear on them is greatly increased.

Orthopedics can help with flat feet by redistributing the weight back to where it’s meant to be. There are various types of orthopedic devices suitable for treating flat feet, and one of the most effective is orthotic insoles. These can be custom shaped to a person’s feet and, by providing proper support, take the weight off the arch and shift it back to the heel and ball of the foot. With the arch relieved of its share of the weight it can go back to acting as a shock absorber; the arch section of the foot contains ten bones and a number of muscles, which allows it to flex with each step and soften the impact of each pace.

Good insoles also assist the foot by providing some shock absorbing capability themselves. Most quality insoles contain at least one layer of EVA foam; some have laminates of more than one grade of foam, often including a high-density layer designed to absorb impacts. Any stress that can be dealt with before it’s applied to the foot is a bonus and will help protect the joints from damage.

Anyone who suffers from this condition should get medical advice even if they’re not noticing any problems at the moment, in case they’re likely to have issues in the future. Using flat feet orthopedics is also a good precautionary measure that can avoid future injuries.