Our feet carry us through every stage of life, yet they are often the part of the body we pay the least attention to. Only when pain appears or mobility declines do many people realise how much of daily life depends on healthy, supported feet. For mature adults, in particular, changes in the feet can happen gradually and quietly. Arches begin to lower, joints stiffen, gait patterns shift and underlying conditions start to appear. These changes do not reflect aging alone. They reflect how the body adapts, compensates and signals when it needs help.

At Gilbert & Lisson, we see this every day. Customers often arrive after years of discomfort, unaware that the root cause of their pain can be addressed with the right type of orthotic (shoe insert) support. For many, a properly designed orthotic is not simply a hidden accessory inside a shoe. It is a medical device that can improve balance, reduce strain, protect vulnerable joints and restore confidence in walking.

How Feet Change With Age

The structure of the foot is remarkably complex. Each one contains twenty-six bones, thirty-three joints and more than one hundred muscles, tendons and ligaments. Over time, natural wear, previous injuries, lifestyle habits and medical conditions affect how this system functions.

Some of the most common changes among mature adults include:

Bunions - A bunion forms when the big toe drifts inward, forcing the joint outward. This can make walking painful and can also push the foot into an unstable gait pattern.

Dropped arches - As the supporting structures of the arch weaken, the foot begins to roll inward. This can place strain on the ankle, knee, hip and lower back.

Diabetic foot changes - Diabetes can reduce sensation and circulation, increasing the risk of pressure points, skin breakdown and long-term complications.

Gait irregularities - Small changes in posture or balance can amplify over time. A slight tilt, weak ankle, or uneven leg length can cause the body to compensate, adding stress to joints.

When any of these conditions develop, they do not simply affect the foot. They affect a person’s confidence in movement. Steps become shorter. Walks become less frequent. Simple activities like gardening, shopping or travelling begin to feel more difficult. Mobility and independence slowly decline.

Why Orthotics Matter More Than Most People Realise

Orthotics are not all created equal. Many people try shop bought inserts, hoping for relief, only to find that they provide temporary cushioning without addressing the root cause of the problem. This is because most off the shelf inserts focus on softness rather than structure. They compress quickly and do not correct alignment.

Clinical orthotics, by contrast, are designed to change the way the foot functions. They support specific areas, redistribute pressure, stabilise weak structures and guide the foot back into a healthier gait pattern. The right orthotic can reduce strain through the ankles, knees and hips and can prevent further deterioration of vulnerable joints.

At Gilbert & Lisson, our orthotics are custom made to the individual. Every pair begins with a clinical assessment that includes foot posture analysis, gait observation, pressure mapping and a detailed conversation about lifestyle and symptoms. We look not only at the feet but at how the entire body responds to each step.

This multidisciplinary approach ensures that the orthotic is not simply comfortable. It is medically purposeful. It protects the foot from further injury and guides the body back toward natural movement.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Client;

What Makes G&L Orthotics Different

While many orthotics focus on general support, G&L orthotics are shaped by decades of clinical understanding and the bespoke craftsmanship behind the company’s orthopaedic footwear. Each orthotic is designed around the customer’s unique anatomy, weight distribution, pressure points and walking pattern.

Key differences include:

  • Precise structural correction tailored to areas of collapse or strain.
  • Medical grade materials selected for durability, stability and controlled flexibility.
  • Integration with footwear so that the orthotic and the shoe work together.
  • Long term adjustability to evolve with the customer’s needs.

For customers with diabetes, arthritis, severe pronation or postural imbalance, this level of personalisation can prevent further complications and provide a foundation for safe, confident mobility.

When Your Feet Improve, Your Life Often Improves Too

Foot pain is not only a physical barrier. It affects how people live. We often meet customers who have stopped travelling, reduced their daily walks or changed their hobbies because their feet no longer feel reliable. The right orthotic can help reverse that pattern.

Improved foot alignment supports the knees and hips. Better balance reduces the risk of falls. Reduced pressure protects skin integrity for people with diabetes. Most importantly, customers regain the ability to move without constant awareness of discomfort. This can transform both physical health and emotional well-being.

Clinical Orthotic Consultations Now in the Algarve

Following our successful first visit, we are returning to Portugal to provide our full orthotic and footwear consultation service to residents of the Algarve.

Date: 9th-12th March 2026

Venue: Top suite, Hotel Quinta Jacintina, 8135-025 Almancil, Portugal

Book the consultation here.

Your appointment or consultation will cover (on a complimentary basis):

  • A full electronic and practical biomechanical and gait analysis
  • A personalised footwear and orthotic consultation
  • Review of individual concerns such as bunions, dropped arches, diabetes, leg imbalances etc
  • Options for bespoke shoes, orthotic insoles, and ongoing support

These visits will take place every two months, allowing customers in the Algarve, Portugal to receive continuous care without travelling to London.

Limited slots available by appointment - click to book today!

For more information, please contact Gilbert & Lisson at +44 20 7486 4664 or info@gilbertandlisson.com.

Our address: 12 New Cavendish Street, London, W1G 8UN, United Kingdom

By Gilbert and Lisson