An orthotic shoe insert adapted to effectively control foot motion during gait to reduce trauma to various anatomical structures of the lower extremity and to increase gait efficiency. The orthosis comprises a unitary, curved wedge having a hook-like shape when viewed from above and includes a heel portion adapted to engage the sides of the heel, a middle portion adapted to engage the plantar side of the medial portion of the longitudinal arch, and a front portion adapted to engage the plantar side of the user's forefoot to a level just distal to the first and second metatarsal heads. The orthosis adjusts itself to different arch heights, and therefore may be fabricated without requiring custom fitting.

A mid-sole comprises a sole body of resilient foam material and a horseshoe-shaped rigid synthetic resin plate placed on the upper surface of the heel section of the sole body along the periphery thereof. At least one leg extends downwardly from the underside of the plate adjacent the inside portion of the heel section over its thickness to prevent the inner portion from inclining inwardly when a load is imposed on the inner portion of the heel section.

An insert for a shoe sole is provided which includes a strip made of an elastic material disposed between an outer sole portion and an upper sole portion of the sole of a shoe. The strip extends from the outer heel area of the shoe to the border of the large toe area of the shoe. The strip forms a rocker bottom which cradles the first metatarsal head of the foot of the wearer. The roll point of the rocker bottom is disposed in a range of from the toe break of the wearer to approximately 2.5 centimeters behind the toe break of the wearer.

The invention is an orthotic system including a combination partial insole, heel cup and metatarsal pad. The combination partial insole is comprised of the heel cup, a modified metatarsal pad, a midfoot support and a longitudinal arch support. The heel cup and metatarsal pad may be used separately or in combination. Each of the structural elements of the system are designed to control the motion of a human foot during gait, as well as to attenuate shock to the foot during gait. Each of the structural elements of the system are self-adjustable for variations in foot and shoe size and are formed of a compression-resistant, deformable material without rigid components.

An orthotic appliance adapted to be placed in an article of footwear which includes; a first upper, relatively flexible blank portion and an underlying rigid cap portion. The cap portion has upwardly extending side walls along the side portions of the orthotic. A relatively resilient and flexible pad portion and a moldable insert are positioned intermediate the blank and cap portions. The orthotic being characterized in that the orthotic restrains outward expansion of side portions of the foot while cushioning impact upon initial ground contact, and with the foot terminating ground contact, resiliency of the insert aids departure of the foot from ground contact.