Footwear

Question 1

What is required for a shoe to be deemed orthopaedic?

Answer 1

Removable liner/insole, extra depth, adjustable closure with velcro or laces, smooth protective inner lining, broad insole and upper, soft or firm heel counter, outer sole equal to or wider than the upper, forefoot rocker

Question 2

What are typical areas of wear on a shoe?

Answer 2

Lateral heel through midfoot, across the metatarsal heads, and under the 1st toe

Question 3

What is a donut pad used for?

Answer 3

Reducing pressure over small bony prominences or soft tissue lesions (ulcer, corn)

Question 4

What is a heel grip pad used for?

Answer 4

Reducing slippage of the heel

Question 5

What is a gait plate used for?

Answer 5

Can help in-toeing gait with lateral extension past 5th MT head. Can help out-toeing with medial extension

Question 6

What conditions can a balloon patch be used for?

Answer 6

Hammer toes, hallux valgus, tailor’s bunion, claw toes

Question 7

What is a buttress used for?

Answer 7

Controls excessive foot motion or foot deformity. Use HD EVA

Question 8

What is the shank of a shoe?

Answer 8

Area of the sole between the heel and the ball of hte foot. Typically a piece of steel. plastic, or carbon fiber.

Question 9

What is a blucher shoe?

Answer 9

Laces independent of one another and separate at base of tongue of shoe. Allows for easier donning

Question 10

What is a balmoral shoe?

Answer 10

Oxford shoe, eyelets come to a V shape. Limits adjustability of the shoe

Question 11

What foot types are best suited for each of the 3 kinds of last types?

Answer 11

Straight lasted shoes are best for low arched feet. Semi-curved lasted shoes are good for an average foot. Curved lasted shoes are best for those with metatarsus adductus or high arch/cavus feet.

Question 12

What is the ideal ratio for a rocker sole, heel:ball:toe?

Answer 12

Should be smallest at the toe, and get larger as it moves to the heel. Heel:toe:ball should be 3:2:1

Question 13

At what size of a lift do we move from internal to external (split sole) lifts?

Answer 13

Internal lifts should max out at 1/4 inch, and anything beyond that should be a split sole.

Question 14

What are heel rockers used for?

Answer 14

Reducing plantar flexion moment on the ankle during heel strike. Used to reduce foot slap

Question 15

Where should the apex (thickest part) of a heel to toe rocker be?

Answer 15

At the heel, the apex should end just distal to the calcaneus. At the forefoot, the apex should end just proximal to the metatarsal heads

Question 16

What is the difference between a flare and a buttress?

Answer 16

Flares widen the sole. Buttresses widen the sole but extend onto the upper to reinforce the counter.

Question 17

What is a Thomas heel?

Answer 17

Medial heel support under the sustentaculum tali

Question 18

How far do flares extend on the shoe?

Answer 18

Typically up to the 1st or 5th MT head, depending on the side.

Question 19

What is a toe slider?

Answer 19

Smooth non grip durable material fixed to the sole at the tip of the toe. Used in cases of drop foot

Question 20

Increasing the size of a shoe by 1 full size increases the length and width by how much?

Answer 20

1/3 inch in length, and 1/4 inch in width

Question 21

How much does the width increase when increasing by 1 width measurement (ex. D to 2E)?

Answer 21

1/4 inch

Question 22

What is the vamp of a shoe?

Answer 22

The material that wraps from medial to lateral over the shoe, covering the metatarsal joints.

Question 23

What are the 7 types of shoes?

Answer 23

Moccasin, sandal, boot, slipper/mule, clog, pump, oxford