The key difference lies in their purpose: insoles are primarily for comfort and cushion, acting as a sock liner within a shoe, while orthotics are designed to influence lower limb biomechanics, redistribute pressure, and improve alignment.
This video debunks five common misconceptions about orthotics. Dr. Zach explains the difference between insoles and orthotics, and then addresses myths such as orthotics fixing flat feet, custom orthotics being superior to over-the-counter options, the definition of "custom" orthotics, the idea that orthotics weaken the foot, and that comfort is the primary goal.
Orthotics can help by managing flat feet, improving joint alignment, redistributing pressure, and making gait more efficient. They can reduce stress on overloaded parts of the foot and leg, potentially leading to pain relief from pathological conditions and helping to prevent overuse injuries. Additionally, they may allow intrinsic foot muscles to function more efficiently by helping to activate muscles that were not being used effectively due to abnormal gait mechanics.
