Corrective shoes are specialty shoes designed to treat a foot abnormality. Also called orthopedic footwear, usually corrective shoes are used to treat children born with foot problems, although they can be used later in life in adults to treat foot abnormalities as well. Orthotic devices that are not built into the shoe but rather placed into the shoe can also help to correct problems and deformities of the feet.



Unusually high arches in feet can be treated in children with orthopedic shoes containing molded support with a retrocapital pad. These special additions to the shoe will help to reduce the plantar arch. In adults, the same condition can be treated using shoes with extra depth, containing molded support with a metatarsal pad that will help to relieve pressure points.

Flatfoot (medically called valgus foot) can be treated with corrective shoes containing molded support that has special correction under the navicular or talus for children.

In adults, flatfeet can be treated with shoes containing molded support with a heel stabilizer and extra depth. A condition called false flatfoot (forefoot varus) is treated with orthopedic shoes containing a Thomas heel (a medial heel wedge), scaphoid pads for medial arch support, or a sole with a bevel.

Forefoot calluses, also called clovus, can be treated using a shoe with extra depth. Shoes containing molded support with a metatarsal pad or a retrocapital pad can also be used to treat forefoot calluses.

Bunions, or hallux valgus, can be treated with a shoe with molded support relieving bunion pressure. Shoes with modified extra depth or that are extra wide can also be used to correct this condition.

Hammer toes, also called claw toes, can be treated with orthopedic shoes containing a retrocapital pad. Heel spurs, or talagia, can be treated with molded support. Such molded support serves to help to rebalance the foot, thereby reducing pressure under the calcaneum. Extra depth shoes can also help to achieve this effect.

Frequent ankle sprains caused by ankle inversion (turning in) or reversion (turning out) can also be helped by corrective shoes. Usually the shoes used in this case are orthopedic with a balanced, flared heel. Other corrective shoes used for this condition contain molded support with a special heel cup. Uneven lower limbs can be treated using a shoe with extra depth containing a special buildup to correct unevenness, which can be adapted to a person's gait.