What is Poron?

Poron is a specialised micro-cellular polyurethane (urethane) foam, that has been expertly engineered for superior cushioning, impact absorption, and long-term comfort. This advanced, open-cell, and breathable technology foam has been specifically designed for use in the orthopaedic, podiatric, and footwear sectors, making it an ideal choice for professionals focused on enhancing foot protection and comfort. One of Poron’s standout features is its ability to retain its shape and ‘memory’, meaning it recovers after compression and avoids ‘bottoming out’ or permanent flattening that often occurs with standard foams. This makes it exceptionally durable and reliable for long-term use.

In addition, Poron is resistant to wear and moisture, helping maintain hygiene and prevent bacterial growth, an especially important factor in orthotic and diabetic foot care. Poron is a high-performance foam insert and lining material that remains soft, protective, and resilient over prolonged use. It’s purpose-built to act as the perfect soft tissue supplement underfoot, enhancing foot health and comfort in orthoses, and footwear.  Poron provides our patients with a lasting, cushioned experience that supports every step.
 

Why Poron matters to patients’ feet

From a clinical and practical standpoint, here’s why Poron is an excelled material for podiatry and orthotic applications:

• Shock absorption & impact mitigation: When our patients walk, run or stand for  long periods, their feet undergo repeated impact and pressure loading. Poron’s open-cell urethane structure acts like tiny springs, absorbing and dispersing energy, thus reducing the risk of developing high pressure areas. For our patients, this means less ‘jarring’ force transmitted to bones, joints, and soft tissues. This is particularly important in conditions like metatarsalgia, diabetic neuropathy, heel pain and arthritic feet.
• Long-term structural integrity: Many foams gradually compress losing resilience and eventually ‘bottom out’. They then fail to provide adequate support and cushioning. Poron is engineered to resist permanent compression.  You can therefore, confidently prescribe it as part of your orthotic solution, with the knowledge that your patient has a product that will last the distance.
• Breathability, hygiene & comfort: Because of its open-cell structure, Poron allows moisture vapor to pass through, helping keep feet cooler and drier. Also, many formulations are fungal resistant and free of plasticisers that can migrate and degrade comfort. Comfort is not just about softness, it’s about consistent performance, maintaining form, resisting breakdown, maintaining hygiene, and ultimately providing a ‘soft landing’ for each step.
• Customisable and applicable in many contexts: Poron is available in multiple densities, thicknesses, and surface finishes. It can be found in the form of sheets or pre formed as heel cushions or insoles. It is also available with adhesive-backing options. It versatility means you can tailor the material to match all of your patient needs. It’s suitable for use in insoles, orthotic linings, heel pads, metatarsal pads, brace and boot paddings and much more. Having it on-hand in your clinic gives you countless options to broaden your treatment options as a clinician.

How to use Poron in your practice 

1. Selecting the correct grade and thickness 
   1. Choose a thickness that fits safely within the shoe without compromising fit or causing excess bulk 
   2. Choose the density or ‘softness of foam’ based on patient needs, for example, a fragile diabetic foot may benefit from a softer, slow-memory grade
   3. Consider surface finish (smooth, abraded, adhesive-backed) based on how you’ll bond or place it in the device
   4. Placement & build-up strategy 
      1. For heel concerns – place a Poron pad under the heel area of the insole/orthotic to cushion initial contact
      2. For metatarsal pressure – you can cut a Poron pad or sheet to fit under the forefoot or around the metatarsal heads to re-distribute load 
      3. In orthotic shells – use a Poron sheet lining on top of the shell to provide a softer feel beneath the footbed
      4. Always check to ensure proper shoe fit – if you add too much thickness, you may compromise space within the shoe causing irritation or compression of the foot.
   5. Patient populations where Poron is especially beneficial 
      1. Diabetic neuropathy or ‘at-risk’ feet – the combination of cushioning, durability and hygiene makes it a good choice where foot integrity is critical
      2. Arthritic or rheumatic feet – protecting against impact shock and reducing hotspots is very helpful in these patients 
      3. High impact or active patients – if patients are on their feet a lot, involved in sports or high demands, using a resilient cushioning layer helps mitigate fatigue and overuse 
      4. Off-loading plantar foot prominences– in situations such as hammer toes or where a bone is more prominent plantarly, Poron can act as a buffer between the prominence and the ground. 
      5. Where soft tissue or fat pads have atrophied or become displaced. Particularly in the forefoot.
   6. Maintenance & longevity 
      1. Because Poron resists compression set, you can expect longer effective life from it, compared to basic foam. 
      2. Carefully monitoring your patients wear patterns and shoe integrity, will allow you to ensure the product is performing at its optimum.

Summary

Poron is an advanced open-cell urethane foam specifically designed for superior cushioning and impact protection in orthotics, footwear, and foot care applications. It provides exceptional shock absorption, long-lasting durability, breathability, and comfort. It consistently outperforms standard foams that tend to lose resilience over time. In clinical and podiatric settings, Poron proves especially beneficial for patients who require enhanced cushioning, pressure relief, protection, and sustained comfort, such as those with diabetic foot conditions, arthritis, or high-impact lifestyles.

To ensure optimal performance, practitioners should focus on the careful selection of Poron’s grade and thickness, as well as correct placement and proper shoe fit. When integrated thoughtfully, Poron is an essential material for clinicians looking for superior cushioning and resilience.