Physical foot assessment, measurement and fitting

The Right Engineered Padded Sock

The primary function of the engineered padded sock is soft tissue management (i.e., protection of the skin and the fat pads of the feet).  Acrylic and acrylic blend cushioning fabric maintains resilience and shape and wicks moisture away from the foot (if the foot is too wet it becomes vulnerable to blistering and injury).  Natural fibers (cotton, wool and silk fabrics), by contrast, absorb moisture and lose resilience.   Anatomically designed cushioning fabric (thicker in ball and heel and thinner in arch) reduces pressure at the points where it occurs, and allows shear forces to be neutralized by the movement provided by the cushioning fabric itself.  The cushioning fabric provides a yielding surface that emulates the natural surfaces of grass, sand, dirt and other surfaces on which the foot was meant to walk and run.  It helps stimulate circulation, and maintains its resiliency even when wet to help protect the foot from the inside of the shoe or boot.  The fabric provides insulation and air flow, and helps moderate temperature, keeping the foot  from becoming too hot or too cold.  The anatomically designed cushioning fabric also helps the foot fit better in the arch area of the footwear and promotes “heel coupling” for a better fit.  In this way, the engineered padded sock promotes natural ambulation and accommodates the movement of the dynamic foot.

Custom designed orthotics or “off-the-shelf” commercial inserts, as needed

Orthotics and inserts help provide support and stability, especially for people who have alignment issues or who need extra support.  People with diabetes often need accommodative orthotics to protect the feet from areas of excessive pressure due to changes in the muscle and bone structure of the feet. 

Inserts and orthotics work integrally with the engineered padded sock to help manage soft tissue: Wicking material in an insert helps transport moisture away from the sock and to the shoe where it is evacuated.  Multi-density inserts provide protection from pressure on the plantar surface of the foot.  Compatible materials on the insert surface and the cushioning fabric of a properly constructed sock will create the optimal coefficient of friction to enable the foot to slide in a controlled way, helping to reduce shear forces and heat friction.  Working with the sock to cushion the foot, the insert helps eliminate the pressure points that can inhibit circulation and damage vulnerable feet.  A well designed and engineered insert is critical in supporting the foot on hard, unyielding surfaces and promoting proper foot and skeletal alignment, and in accommodating or adjusting gait anomalies.

The most appropriate, properly fitted pair of shoes or boots for the intended activity