Pads & Cushions

Myolite Layer

Broad Myolite cushioning above the frame and within the covered extension. Softens plantar contact to the selected head, sulcus or toe endpoint; total layer thickness determines shoe fit.

Myolite Layer, view 1
  • 1.5 mm
  • 3 mm
  • 4.5 mm
  • 6 mm

15 Shore A Myolite

A Myolite layer softens the supporting surface of the Root orthotic over a broad area. It is useful when several regions need cushioning or when the foot benefits from a more compliant interface over a functional frame. Local pads make a particular contact change; a full layer makes the surrounding surface more comfortable to receive load.

The layer lies above the heel cup and frame beneath the top cover. It can end at the metatarsal region, the sulcus or the toes. Its perimeter is skived into the device margins. Beyond the frame, the layer sits above the bottom cover as part of the enclosed extension. Myolite is the cushioning material; the top cover remains the surface in contact with the foot.

The frame maintains the supporting geometry while Myolite deforms between it and the foot-facing cover. A longer layer cushions more distal regions. Added thickness can improve conformity but also changes arch contact, heel-cup depth and the relative prominence of underlying pads. Compression during use can reduce the original cushioning room, especially at a high-pressure site.

Choose a broad layer for diffuse plantar sensitivity, selected fat-pad insufficiency or improved tolerance of the frame's contour. Forefoot-cushioning research demonstrates that a broad soft contact can reduce peak pressure and may outperform a local pad in some running constructions [E11]. The clinical goal is comfortable distributed contact in the activities the patient actually performs.

Excess total thickness can create dorsal shoe pressure or lift the heel too high. A soft layer cannot reliably conceal a badly matched focal frame contact. In a neuropathic foot, pressure and skin surveillance remain necessary even when the insert feels comfortable. Cushioning thickness is not a precise heel-lift or leg-length correction.

The common cushioning range is 1.5 to 6 mm in 1.5 mm increments. Thin layers preserve shoe room; thicker layers provide more material to deform but increase total stack height. A 3 mm layer beneath a 3 mm local pad creates up to 6 mm of added material at that location before compression. Length, footprint and the accumulated layers determine the finished fit.

Local heel, arch or forefoot pads can sit within the same covered system. A punch or slot removes the local cushion at its relief site, with the continuous covers remaining intact. A broad layer may soften a pad transition, while an excessive layer can reduce its useful relative height. Stiff extensions retain their own motion goal beneath any soft interface.

A Plastazote layer offers a different accommodative material. A focal cushion adds less overall bulk when only one region is sensitive. A frame-contour change can be more effective than adding softness over a painful hard prominence. A deeper shoe can make a useful cushioning thickness possible without dorsal crowding.

Check whole-foot contact, heel seating, toe room and shoe closure during walking. Inspect high-load sites for early compression. At follow-up, assess comfort and function along with any new dorsal rubbing or slipping. Replace or revise material when local compression has removed its useful cushioning or relief.

Forefoot-cushioning and material studies show that a broad soft interface can reduce regional pressure [E11, E12, E44]. Multilayer research demonstrates that the combination of materials and the walking task affects the result [E43]. A materials review supports the cushioning principle while emphasizing limited and design-dependent evidence [E61]. Numerical results from other foams should remain attached to those tested materials.

  1. The effect of foot orthoses with forefoot cushioning or metatarsal pad on forefoot peak plantar pressure in running.

    Twenty-three asymptomatic runners. Forefoot cushioning reduced mean peak pressure to 281 kPa versus 313 kPa with control and 315 kPa with the metatarsal pad. The pad did not differ significantly from control.

    This result concerns the tested running insoles in healthy runners. A different pad position, shoe or painful-foot population can respond differently.

  2. [Forefoot relief with shoe inserts : Effects of different construction strategies].

    Fifteen healthy adults. Both metatarsal padding and forefoot cushioning reduced forefoot peak pressure; stiffer shoes provided more relief. Padding increased midfoot pressure versus control.

    The study separates useful shoe-stiffness and contact effects. It does not establish pain outcomes for a particular Root modification.

  3. The insole materials influence the plantar pressure distributions in diabetic foot with neuropathy during different walking activities.

    Sixteen adults with diabetic neuropathy tried two multilayer insoles across level, ramp and stair walking. Adding multifoam to a Plastazote–rubber construction improved forefoot pressure distribution in selected activities.

    The result depends on the full layer combination and walking task. Individual materials cannot be assumed interchangeable.

  4. Effects of contoured insoles with different materials on plantar pressure offloading in diabetic elderly during gait.

    Twenty-two older adults with diabetes tried four contoured insole materials. Softer Poron and EVA designs generally offloaded more than the stiffer tested materials.

    The tested material comparison supports attention to compliance. It does not show that the softest possible material or a specific Myolite layer is universally best.

  5. Effect of different orthotic materials on plantar pressures: a systematic review.

    Five laboratory studies of orthotic materials were included. Polyurethane, polyethylene and EVA could reduce regional peak pressure, but the evidence was limited.

    The review supports regional pressure effects of tested foam families. It does not establish branded Myolite performance or a universal thickness sequence.

  6. Foot orthoses for forefoot pressure reduction and the hypothesized role in calf muscle stretching: A systematic review highlighting an evidence gap.

    Twelve studies with 456 participants reported reduced forefoot peak pressure or pressure-time integral with tested orthoses. Metatarsal support and soft contoured designs showed useful pressure effects. No eligible study tested a design specifically intended to stretch the calf.

    The review used a narrative synthesis because designs and populations differed. Its included primary studies retain their original evidence identity and do not independently validate each Root modification.

  • FLP-MYO-15A-1p5-HM 1.5mm 15 Shore A Myolite Layer Heel to Mets
  • FLP-MYO-15A-1p5-HS 1.5mm 15 Shore A Myolite Layer Heel to Sulcus
  • FLP-MYO-15A-1p5-HT 1.5mm 15 Shore A Myolite Layer Heel to Toes
  • FLP-MYO-15A-3p0-HM 3mm 15 Shore A Myolite Layer Heel to Mets
  • FLP-MYO-15A-3p0-HS 3mm 15 Shore A Myolite Layer Heel to Sulcus
  • FLP-MYO-15A-3p0-HT 3mm 15 Shore A Myolite Layer Heel to Toes
  • FLP-MYO-15A-4p5-HM 4.5mm 15 Shore A Myolite Layer Heel to Mets
  • FLP-MYO-15A-4p5-HS 4.5mm 15 Shore A Myolite Layer Heel to Sulcus
  • FLP-MYO-15A-4p5-HT 4.5mm 15 Shore A Myolite Layer Heel to Toes
  • FLP-MYO-15A-6p0-HM 6mm 15 Shore A Myolite Layer Heel to Mets
  • FLP-MYO-15A-6p0-HS 6mm 15 Shore A Myolite Layer Heel to Sulcus
  • FLP-MYO-15A-6p0-HT 6mm 15 Shore A Myolite Layer Heel to Toes