Updated April 2026


Here is a comprehensive list of biomechanical conditions that could benefit from orthotic therapy, podiatry treatments or other interventions. It has been created as quick reference guide for clinicians looking at each condtion and the basic treat options.

The list covers a wide range of biomechanical foot conditions that require varying levels of intervention, from orthotics and insoles to more specialised medical treatments.

1. Plantar Fasciitis

Treatment:

  • Orthotic insoles with arch support.
  • Stretching exercises for the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia.
  • Night splints to keep the foot in a neutral position.
  • Ice therapy and anti-inflammatory medications.
  • Shockwave therapy or corticosteroid injections in severe cases.

2. Flat Feet (Pes Planus)

Treatment:

  • Custom orthotics to support the arch and correct overpronation.
  • Strengthening exercises to improve foot mechanics.
  • Supportive footwear with arch support.
  • Physiotherapy to address muscle imbalances.

3. Overpronation

Treatment:

  • Orthotics to correct foot alignment.
  • Motion control footwear to limit excessive inward rolling.
  • Exercises to strengthen the arch and foot muscles.
  • Gait analysis to determine specific treatment needs.

4. Supination (Underpronation)

Treatment:

  • Orthotic devices to provide lateral support.
  • Cushioned footwear to absorb shock.
  • Exercises to strengthen the muscles along the outer edge of the foot.

5. Bunions (Hallux Valgus)

Treatment:

  • Bunion splints, such as the Bunion Buster Corrector.
  • Wide-toe box shoes to reduce pressure.
  • Gel padding to alleviate discomfort.
  • Surgery in severe cases to realign the toe joint.

6. Hammer Toes

Treatment:

  • Toe splints and alignment devices.
  • Orthotics to redistribute pressure across the foot.
  • Shoes with a deep toe box.
  • Surgical correction in advanced cases.

7. Morton's Neuroma

Treatment:

  • Metatarsal pads or orthotics to reduce nerve compression.
  • Supportive footwear with wide toe boxes.
  • Corticosteroid injections for pain relief.
  • Surgical removal of the nerve in severe cases.

8. Achilles Tendonitis

Treatment:

  • Heel lifts or heel cups to reduce strain.
  • Calf-stretching exercises.
  • Anti-inflammatory medications and ice therapy.
  • Physical therapy to strengthen surrounding muscles.

9. Heel Spurs

Treatment:

  • Gel heel pads for cushioning.
  • Orthotic insoles to reduce pressure on the heel.
  • Stretching exercises and icing to manage inflammation.
  • Shockwave therapy or surgery in severe cases.

10. Metatarsalgia

Treatment:

  • Metatarsal pads to redistribute pressure.
  • Custom orthotics for foot alignment and cushioning.
  • Supportive footwear with thick soles.
  • Rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications for pain relief.

11. Shin Splints

Treatment:

  • Rest and ice therapy.
  • Orthotics to correct foot mechanics.
  • Stretching and strengthening exercises for the calves and shins.
  • Compression sleeves for added support.

12. Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)

Treatment:

  • Custom orthotics to support the arch.
  • Ankle braces to stabilise the foot and ankle.
  • Physical therapy to strengthen the posterior tibial tendon.
  • Surgery in advanced cases.

13. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Treatment:

  • Orthotic devices to reduce pressure on the posterior tibial nerve.
  • Anti-inflammatory medications and ice therapy.
  • Footwear modifications for better support.
  • Surgery to release the tarsal tunnel in chronic cases.

14. Sesamoiditis

Treatment:

  • Cushioned orthotics or metatarsal pads.
  • Rest and ice therapy.
  • Avoiding high-impact activities.
  • Corticosteroid injections in severe cases.

15. Claw Toes

Treatment:

  • Toe alignment splints.
  • Foot exercises to strengthen muscles.
  • Custom orthotics to alleviate pressure on the toes.
  • Surgical intervention if conservative treatments fail.

16. Calluses

Treatment:

  • Gel pads to reduce pressure.
  • Moisturising creams, such as CCS Footcare Cream.
  • Professional debridement by a podiatrist.
  • Avoiding ill-fitting shoes and friction.

17. Corns

Treatment:

  • Cushioned toe protectors or padding.
  • Soaking feet to soften the skin.
  • Use of callus and corn removers (after consulting a healthcare professional).
  • Properly fitting footwear.

18. Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Treatment:

  • Pressure-relieving insoles or shoes.
  • Regular wound care and monitoring.
  • Specialised footwear to reduce friction and pressure.
  • Medical intervention for severe ulcers.

19. Osteoarthritis

Treatment:

  • Custom orthotics to reduce joint stress.
  • Anti-inflammatory medications and ice therapy.
  • Foot exercises to improve flexibility.
  • Surgery for joint replacement or fusion in severe cases.

20. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Treatment:

  • Custom orthotics to support the joints and reduce pressure.
  • Anti-inflammatory medications and disease-modifying treatments.
  • Joint protection techniques through physical therapy.
  • Surgery in cases of significant joint damage.

21. Pes Cavus (High Arches)

Treatment:

  • Custom orthotic insoles for cushioning and support.
  • Stretching exercises for the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia.
  • Supportive shoes with arch support and cushioning.
  • Surgery in severe cases of foot deformity.

22. Hallux Rigidus

Treatment:

  • Stiff-soled shoes to reduce motion in the big toe.
  • Custom orthotics to reduce pressure on the big toe joint.
  • Corticosteroid injections for pain relief.
  • Surgery in advanced cases to restore movement.

23. Crossover Toe

Treatment:

  • Orthotic devices to improve foot alignment.
  • Stretching and strengthening exercises.
  • Shoes with a wide toe box to reduce pressure.
  • Surgery to correct toe alignment in severe cases.

24. Charcot Foot

Treatment:

  • Custom orthotics and specialised footwear.
  • Strict offloading to reduce pressure on weakened bones.
  • Surgical intervention to correct deformities.
  • Regular monitoring and care by a podiatrist.

25. Sever’s Disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis)

Treatment:

  • Heel cups or gel inserts for cushioning.
  • Rest from activities that aggravate the condition.
  • Stretching exercises for the Achilles tendon.
  • Anti-inflammatory medications.

26. Gout

Treatment:

  • Medications to reduce uric acid levels and inflammation.
  • Dietary modifications to avoid gout triggers.
  • Ice therapy to reduce swelling and pain.
  • Custom orthotics to reduce pressure on affected joints.

27. Lisfranc Injury

Treatment:

  • Immobilisation with a cast or boot.
  • Custom orthotics to stabilise the midfoot.
  • Physical therapy to restore mobility after healing.
  • Surgery to repair torn ligaments or fractures.

28. Stress Fractures

Treatment:

  • Rest and reduced weight-bearing activities.
  • Custom orthotics to redistribute pressure.
  • Footwear modifications to provide better cushioning.
  • Gradual return to activity under medical supervision.

29. Tailor’s Bunion (Bunionette)

Treatment:

  • Wide-toe box footwear to reduce pressure.
  • Gel pads to cushion the bunion.
  • Custom orthotics to improve foot alignment.
  • Surgery in severe cases to remove the bunion.

30. Cavovarus Foot

Treatment:

  • Custom orthotics to correct the foot's alignment.
  • Supportive footwear with lateral stability.
  • Stretching exercises to improve flexibility.
  • Surgery in severe deformities to realign the foot.

31. Equinus

Treatment:

  • Heel lifts or orthotics to improve foot posture.
  • Stretching exercises for the calf muscles.
  • Physical therapy to improve ankle mobility.
  • Surgery in severe cases to lengthen the Achilles tendon.

32. Forefoot Varus

Treatment:

  • Custom orthotics to correct foot alignment.
  • Strengthening exercises for foot muscles.
  • Supportive footwear to improve stability.

33. Forefoot Valgus

Treatment:

  • Orthotics to correct lateral instability.
  • Shoes with proper support and cushioning.
  • Gait analysis and physical therapy to correct movement patterns.

34. Hallux Limitus

Treatment:

  • Stiff-soled shoes to reduce motion in the big toe.
  • Custom orthotics to reduce stress on the big toe joint.
  • Corticosteroid injections for inflammation relief.
  • Surgical intervention if conservative measures fail.

35. Capsulitis

Treatment:

  • Metatarsal pads or orthotics to alleviate pressure on the joints.
  • Rest and anti-inflammatory medications.
  • Supportive footwear to prevent further irritation.
  • Physical therapy to strengthen surrounding structures.

36. Lateral Ankle Instability

Treatment:

  • Ankle braces or orthotics for stability.
  • Strengthening exercises for the ankle and foot.
  • Physical therapy to improve proprioception and balance.
  • Surgery to repair damaged ligaments in chronic cases.

37. Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome

Treatment:

  • Rest and avoidance of high-impact activities.
  • Stretching exercises for the lower leg muscles.
  • Surgical intervention (fasciotomy) to release pressure in severe cases.

What’s changed recently in conservative care for plantar heel pain?

Recent guidance has made plantar heel pain management more structured and less device-led in isolation. Current best-practice guidance supports a multimodal approach built around stretching, education, taping, footwear review and load management, with orthoses used as part of that wider plan rather than as a stand-alone fix. 

For clinics supplying insoles, that means pairing orthotic insoles with clear advice on activity modification and progressive rehabilitation wherever appropriate.

The 2023 clinical practice guideline also supports plantar fascia and calf stretching, and notes that night splints can be particularly useful when first-step morning pain is a dominant feature. For more persistent presentations, clinicians may also consider whether plantar fasciitis support options or shockwave therapy pathways fit the patient’s presentation and service model.

How has diabetic foot and pressure offloading guidance moved on?

Diabetic foot care has become even more explicit about risk stratification, earlier referral and offloading. 

NICE continues to recommend annual risk assessment for adults with diabetes, with more frequent review for moderate- and high-risk patients, and updated wording now highlights suspicion of acute Charcot arthropathy or an unexplained hot, swollen, discoloured foot as an active diabetic foot problem requiring urgent action. 

In practice, this makes rapid escalation especially important for ulceration, infection, ischaemia, gangrene and suspected Charcot change.

The 2023 IWGDF offloading update also reinforces that, for a neuropathic plantar forefoot or midfoot ulcer, a non-removable knee-high offloading device is the preferred first-choice option unless contraindicated or not tolerated. 

This is a useful reminder that “pressure relief” alone may be too vague for active ulcer care. For clinicians and services reviewing options, the most relevant Algeos categories include pressure care and diabetic foot, diabetic footcare products and foot and ankle offloading.

Which conditions on this list usually need earlier imaging, referral or a higher index of suspicion?

A quick-reference list is useful, but some of these presentations should prompt a lower threshold for escalation. Suspected Lisfranc injury, stress fracture, Charcot foot, diabetic foot ulcer with infection or ischaemia, and unexplained red-hot swelling in a neuropathic foot are examples where “watch and wait” can be risky. 

Stress fractures can be difficult to confirm clinically and often need imaging when symptoms persist or the history is strongly suggestive. Lisfranc injuries are also well known for being missed, especially when midfoot pain and plantar bruising are present after trauma.

For musculoskeletal overload problems such as plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, flat feet or pes cavus, first-line orthotic support and rehab remain appropriate in many cases. 

Even so, persistent pain, night pain, rapid deformity, neurological symptoms, marked swelling, systemic inflammatory features, skin breakdown or failure to improve with conservative care should trigger reassessment rather than simply changing insoles again. 

This is where a structured pathway using orthotic insoles alongside clinical review can help separate routine biomechanical management from conditions needing imaging, urgent offloading or specialist referral.

References