What is the recommendation for arch support?

From the Guidelines

For arch support, I recommend using functional support, such as an ankle brace, for 4-6 weeks, as it is preferred over immobilization and shows the greatest effects in reducing pain and improving function, as evidenced by the study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine 1.

Key Considerations

• When selecting arch supports, consider the level of support needed, such as moderate arch support for common foot pain, and custom orthotics for severe or persistent foot pain.
• Look for arch supports that match your arch height (low, medium, or high) and provide cushioning in the heel area.
• Wear arch supports in supportive shoes with adequate room, starting with 1-2 hours daily and gradually increasing to full-day wear over 1-2 weeks to allow your feet to adjust.

Benefits of Arch Support

• Arch supports work by redistributing pressure across your foot, supporting the plantar fascia, and helping maintain proper foot alignment, which can reduce pain and prevent conditions like plantar fasciitis.
• Using functional support, such as an ankle brace, can help improve joint functionality and reduce the risk of recurrent ankle sprains, as recommended by the study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine 1.

Replacement and Maintenance

• Replace arch supports every 6-12 months as they wear down and lose effectiveness.
• Consider consulting an occupational therapist or physical therapist for guidance on selecting and using arch supports, especially for patients with severe or persistent foot pain, as recommended by the study published in Arthritis Care & Research 1.

From the Research

Arch Support Recommendation

The recommendation for arch support can be based on several studies that have investigated the effects of arch support insoles on foot posture, plantar force distribution, and balance in individuals with flat feet.

• A study published in 2025 2 found that 3D-printed customized arch-support insoles can improve gait mechanics and ankle alignment in individuals with functional flat foot, particularly during uphill walking.
• Another study published in 2024 3 compared the effects of foot exercises, customized arch support insoles, and a combination of both on foot posture, plantar force distribution, and balance in people with flexible flatfoot, and found that foot posture improved in all groups, but the insole was less effective than exercise and exercise plus insole.
• A guide to the management of pediatric pes planus published in 2020 4 suggested that non-surgical interventions, such as orthoses and physiotherapy, may be beneficial for certain groups of children with flat feet.
• A study published in 2016 5 found that short foot exercises were more effective than arch support insoles in improving the medial longitudinal arch and dynamic balance of flexible flatfoot patients.
• A randomized controlled trial published in 2018 6 found that the long-term use of arch support foot orthoses affected walking kinematics and kinetics of children with flexible flat feet, and proved to be feasible and effective in improving lower limb alignment during walking.

Key Findings

• Arch support insoles can improve gait mechanics and ankle alignment in individuals with functional flat foot 2.
• Foot exercises and customized arch support insoles can improve foot posture, plantar force distribution, and balance in people with flexible flatfoot 3.
• Non-surgical interventions, such as orthoses and physiotherapy, may be beneficial for certain groups of children with flat feet 4.
• Short foot exercises may be more effective than arch support insoles in improving the medial longitudinal arch and dynamic balance of flexible flatfoot patients 5.
• The long-term use of arch support foot orthoses can improve lower limb alignment during walking in children with flexible flat feet 6.

Considerations

• The effectiveness of arch support insoles may depend on the individual's specific foot condition and needs 2, 3.
• A combination of foot exercises and customized arch support insoles may be more effective than either intervention alone 3.
• The management of flat feet should be tailored based on the assessment results of each individual 3, 4.