Orthotic and Foot Care Articles

There are many different types of products available that provide arch support. Products include custom made orthotics, over-the-counter orthotics, and there is a special line of Crocs called CrocsRx that have arch support. There are even flip-flops made by a small and upcoming company named Moszkito that have arch support build into them. This article will look at some of the traditional arch supports as well as the new footwear that provides the arch support you need without the bulkiness of having to wear a shoe.

Why do you need arch support?

There are many reasons for wearing arch supports. The most prominent reason is to abolish arch pain. When you don’t have enough support under the arch, the tendon that supports the arch can collapse from walking, running or just standing on your feet. This collapse can inflame the tendon leading to a condition called Plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammatory condition of the foot caused by excessive wear to the plantar fascia that supports the arch or by biomechanical faults that cause abnormal pronation. The pain usually is felt on the underside of the heel, and is often most intense with the first steps of the day. It is commonly associated with long periods of standing on your feet or by sudden changes in weight bearing or activity. Obesity, weight gain, jobs that require a lot of walking on hard surfaces, shoes with little or no arch support, and inactivity are also factors associated with the condition. Below is a review of products that provide Arch Support.

Custom Orthotics

Custom Orthotics provide the best arch support since they are custom molded to your feet. Custom Orthotics are made by taking an impression or scan of your foot. The orthotics lab uses the foot impression to manufacture the orthotic that fits your feet. The process is well thought out and the workmanship is top notch. So if you are looking for custom orthotics we highly recommend The Orthotic Shop.

Over-the-Counter Orthotics

There are several over the counter orthotics. We found that the Amfit CustomSelect Orthotics ones work well. Using an interactive tool that asks for your gender, shoe size and arch height it gives you a model number that will work for your feet. There are approximately 80 different models of CustomSelect orthotics, so it is the closest thing next to custom. The Amfit CustomSelect Orthotics have many advanced features that are usually found in custom orthotics. One such feature is the X-static Silver lined topcover. The silver provides anti-bacterial properties that help keep down foot odors and keep your feet healthy.

Amfit CustomSelect Insoles

Another Over the Counter Orthotic that we like is the Lynco Orthotics made by Aetrex. Lynco orthotics have several models available as well. These different models focus around the type of shoes and activities you plan on using them in, for example there are orthotics for diabetics, dress shoes, general sports, casual use, and golfing. For each activity there are models that are designed for low, medium, & high arches and models that have metatarsal pads, which provide additional cushioning at the ball of the feet.

Lynco L425 Sports Orthotics

Innovative Footwear

Several new types of footwear are now available that let you enjoy your favorite activities without the bulk of extra-depth walking or dress shoes. Below the Crocs RX comfort clogs and the Moszkito flip flops are presented.

Crocs Rx

Usually flip-flops are not recommended to those seeking arch support so Crocs came out with special molded foam clogs made under their CrocsRx line, which have been approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association and United States Ergonomics as a healthy alternative to flip-flops. These Crocs are made specifically for people who are on their feet all day and provide many benefits. Most important is the shock absorbing properties that minimize load on feet, lower legs, knees, hips, and lower back. The Crocs Rx line is available in many colors to suit different personalities.

CrocsRx Relief - Crocs with Arch Support - Khaki

Moszkito Flip Flops

People with Arch Pain should typically avoid open-back shoes, sandals, “flip-flops,” and any shoes without raised heels. Moszkito came out with flip flops to address that concern. Moszkito Flip Flops have built-in arch support! They come in many styles and colors as well so it is easy to find a style that suits your needs. Wear them all day and into the night. You will love them!

Moszkito Womens Archy Sandal

The Orthotic Shop is now carrying CrocsRx’s Custom Cloud. The CrocsRx Custom Cloud was specifically designed by Crocs as protective footwear. It features extra-depth that is ideal for using custom orthotics and moldable inserts.

The Custom Cloud was recently accepted into the diabetic shoe program by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Acceptance by the CMS validates the superior benefits of Croslite material (Croslite ag+), Crocs proprietary closed-cell resin, as the Custom Cloud is the first molded shoe to receive an approved code verification from the organization.

As discussed above, the CMS validates the benefits of Croslite ag+ material. It is formulated with 1800 parts per million of silver crystals in the Croslite material. Numerous microbial tests were performed to determine this concentration, which produces a reliable 90+% kill rate for bacteria and fungi, and which is effective for a one-year period of time. Each new batch of croslite ag+tm material is independently tested to assure this kill rate.

Croslite ag+(tm) material works by a slow, steady release of silver ions, which maintains an effective concentration in and around the Silver Cloud and Custom Cloud shoe for a minimum of one year. The silver ionic release rate is accelerated by three factors: heat, moisture and saline concentration. In other words, the hotter and sweatier the feet become, the more silver ions are released to fight the increased threat of infection.

The Croslite ag+ material is effective when the patient wears the shoes with or without socks. Silver ions are extremely small, small enough to penetrate the cell walls of microbes, and thus easily penetrate the sock material to reach the skin surface of the foot. Effective immediately, medical professionals can fit the more than 23 million Americans suffering from diabetes in the CrocsRx Custom Cloud. The approved shoe comes with three pairs of heat moldable orthotic insoles and is usually fitted by a professional practitioner, to offer long-term relief for foot ailments related to the disease.

Additionally, the American Podiatric Medical Association with its distinguished Seal of Acceptance, recognizes that the Custom Cloud offers diabetic patients several advantages over traditional specialty footwear.

Among the most notable benefit is the customized fit that stems from the Croslite Ag+ material. Croslite Ag+ material expands upon the comfort attributes inherent to Croslite material while adding anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and odor resistant nano-Silver ceramic crystals.

Moreover, patients find the Custom Cloud to be easier to slip on, easier to keep clean and that the shoe weighs less than other specialty medical footwear styles accepted by CMS. The Custom Cloud is available in three color combinations including Navy, Black and Chocolate in men’s size 4-13.5 and women’s size 6-13.5, with four width offerings.

“We are thrilled with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid’s decision to include CrocsRx footwear in the Medicare program,” stated Eddie Scott, Director of CrocsRx. “CMS acceptance is an enormous accomplishment as this governing body completed an extensive review of clinical and historical performance data and found Croslite material to be a suitable alternative to existing specialty leather footwear.”

Please visit the following link for information on how to purchase the CrocsRx Custom Cloud