The in-shoe heel inserts: Friend or foe?

Abstract

The use of shock-absorbing heel inserts in shoes by people suffering from heel pain has long been advocated (Milgrom et al., 1992; Voloshin and Wosk, 1981). The symptomatic relief of heel pain with the use of such inserts under the plantar surface, especially in over use injuries, has been documented (Pratt et al., 1986). The use of these shock-absorbing heel inserts, which are available off-the-shelf, has been seen to be on the increase due to the widespread popularity of a growing exercise culture.