Key points
- Semi-compressed felt is useful for short-term, temporary offloading around localised pressure points and digital lesions.
- You can shape it into various different types of pads, such as plantar-metatarsal-pads, donut pads and interdigital separators, and apply it directly to the skin.
- Repeated weight-bearing causes felt to compress and flatten, reducing its offloading capability over time.
- For ongoing plantar offloading, a modular silicone insole can provide a more durable alternative.
- More complex deformities or significant functional changes may require correctional insoles or a fully bespoke orthotic.
When is semi-compressed felt useful for offloading?
Semi-compressed felt is a go-to option for short-term, temporary relief from localised pressure.
It’s particularly useful for pressure points and corns affecting the tops or sides of the toes, where felt can be easily cut and shaped to accommodate the area.
It can be shaped into donut pads or interdigital separators and applied directly to the skin to offload prominent joints or separate adjacent toes.
This can be particularly useful for interdigital lesions, including where the skin is broken, as semi-compressed felt can be used alongside dressings to help relieve pressure from the affected area.
What are the limitations of semi-compressed felt?
The main limitation of semi-compressed felt is how it behaves under repeated weight-bearing.
Compression and flattening
Felt compresses and flattens over time, meaning it can eventually bottom out and lose its offloading capability. This makes it less suitable where plantar pressure needs to be managed over a longer period.
Movement under load
The padding can also shift due to friction and shear stress. If the padding moves, the load can shift back to the original pressure point.
Practical application
Felt requires cutting, shaping and direct adhesion to the skin, making it less durable and practical for ongoing plantar offloading.
For short-term use, these limitations may be less significant, particularly where the aim is to provide temporary relief around a specific lesion or pressure point.
When should you consider an alternative to semi-compressed felt?
The appropriate offloading approach depends on the location and cause of the pressure, the patient's presentation, and the level of support or correction required.
Modular silicone insoles
For immediate, longer-lasting plantar offloading, a modular silicone insole such as ZeroSole can provide a durable chairside option.
ZeroSole can be customised during the appointment to create a targeted offloading cavity beneath the pressure point.
Unlike felt, the silicone insole is designed for ongoing use and will not bottom out under load, making it suitable where longer-lasting plantar offloading is required.
Functional or fully bespoke orthotics
For patients with more advanced foot deformities or significant changes in foot function, a functional or fully bespoke orthotic may be more appropriate where a greater degree of correction and full profile support is required.
Semi-compressed felt vs other offloading options
This table shows how semi-compressed felt compares to other products that may be more suitable for your patient:
| Feature | Semi-compressed felt | Modular silicone insole | Fully bespoke orthotic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best suited to | Short-term, localised offloading | Ongoing plantar offloading | Complex deformity or functional change |
| Common applications | Digital pressure points, corns, interdigital lesions | Localised plantar pressure points | Advanced foot deformities |
| Customisation | Cut and shaped to the area | Customised chairside | Fully designed to the patient's foot |
| Durability | Temporary; compresses under load | Longer-term use | Longer-term use |
| Level of support | Localised padding/offloading | Targeted offloading | Correction and full profile support |
Choosing the right approach for your patient
No single offloading method is right for every patient.
Semi-compressed felt remains a useful option where short-term, localised relief is needed, particularly around the toes and interdigital spaces.
Where plantar pressure needs to be managed over a longer period, a modular silicone insole can offer a more durable chairside option. For more complex structural or functional presentations, a bespoke orthotic may be appropriate.
The choice ultimately comes down to the location of the pressure, the patient's presentation and the level of offloading or support required.
Discover ZeroSole for your practice
Find out more about using ZeroSole as a chairside offloading option in clinical practice.