Footwear and Orthoses

Footwear and foot orthoses are tools for managing load, protecting tissue and supporting rehabilitation across many lower-limb and musculoskeletal (MSK) problems.

The right shoe or insole can offload a painful area, alter how force passes through the foot and leg, cushion impact or accommodate a deformity, while the wrong one can create or prolong an injury. The aim in sport and exercise medicine (SEM) is evidence-based prescribing for a specific problem, not routine or automatic use. Gait assessment is covered in the gait analysis topic, and running mechanics in running and movement biomechanics.