insole advice

[Wannaberunner20]

Good Morning

I need a bit of advice, I went to the podiatrist last weekend as I have been having pain in my big toe joints.

Turns out I have one leg longer than the other, very high arches & my feet/knees roll in. Causing the problem with my toes but also the back pain that I struggle with.

He prescribed me some insoles that keep my feet from rolling in.

He warned that I may get a few niggly pains while my feet & body adapt.

I have warn them for almost a week and am now suffering with inner ankle pain.

I’ve ran with them twice but now stopped as my ankle is really hurting.

Has anyone else used these & had any problems or have any advice?

I’m going to give him a call on Monday but just feel really deflated as this was meant to help me not hinder.

Thanks in advance for the wise words

Sarah

[Cmoi Graduate10]

Hi Sarah, sorry to hear you're having problems.

However, while I'd love to be able to advise, I have neither the experience nor qualifications for that, and imo the person best placed to help you is your podiatrist. Maybe take along the running shoes that you're wearing, as well as any other footwear with which you've been using the orthotics, then he could observe your gait in them? Perhaps he could also suggest specific strengthening exercises? Hope you find a solution!

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Sorry, I can’t help with the custom made insoles - I think maybe go back and seek more advice? I think they may take a little time to adjust to but you don’t want to risk more pain and potent injury, I guess.

I roll inwards a little and these Enertor insoles (link below) have been perfect for me. I always take out my running shoe insoles and pop these in instead. They are a little pricey but I think (along with switching to Hoka shoes) have really made a difference to my running. It really is often a case of finding the shoes/insoles that suit you best - they will be out there!! Good luck!

enertor.com/products/px1-ru...

[Wannaberunner20 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks so much for this!

I’ll definitely be on the phone to the podiatrist today xx

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

It can take a while to get used to orthotics. I wear them in my running shoes only and when I was first prescribed them it did take me and my podiatrist several attempts to get them right. I kept on having to get them tweaked as I got aches and pains after several runs.

Please speak to your podiatrist again because while small niggles are normal you shouldn’t have to stop because of the ankle pain.

As an aside, do you exercise and stretch your feet and ankles? This could help ease any tightness too.

But please persevere, it’s not an exact science but let your podiatrist know and take his advice. But once they get it right then you’re flying….

I consider my podiatrist an essential member of my running team 🙂 and see him once a year for a review of the orthotics. Something to think about for the future.

Let us know how you get on.

[Wannaberunner20 in reply to Irishprincess]

Yes I definitely think I need to do some stretches & maybe strengthening exercises for my ankles!

Thanks for the advice

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to Wannaberunner20]

These ones recommended by linda9389 are very good.

healthunlocked.com/strength...

[Archerygoddess 60minGraduate]

When I was prescribed them I was advised to wear them for short periods and gradually increase until I could wear them all day, because they do alter your posture. I would definitely ask about the running, though, as I wear stability shoes and don't put my insoles in. Is your podiatrist private or NHS? I know that custom insoles are expensive, but the NHS don't charge.

[Wannaberunner20 in reply to Archerygoddess]

It’s a private one and I spent quite a bit on the insoles 😳

I think I may of worn them too much too soon but I did ask if I should run in them & he said yes.

I’ll ask again when I speak to him.

[TheJazzSinger]

Unfortunately I had to stop running because of pain in my big toe. I also saw a podiatrist two years ago and got insoles which haven’t really helped. I have pronation and flat feet. The insoles change your gait and therefore you can get some discomfort in your legs/ankles until your body gets used to them. I also had an Ostenil (hyaluronic acid) injection to help put fluid back in the joint but it didn’t really help and I avoided having a steroid injection to help with the inflammation. Two years and the toe is sometimes better than other times. I wear a size bigger in trainers and walking boots and try to buy shoes with a good sized toe box so there is less restriction. I’m a lot older than you so I guess it’s arthritis. I just walk now but would love to still run but it was the running that gave me the bad toe. Good luck!

[Wannaberunner20 in reply to TheJazzSinger]

Thanks

It’s crazy isn’t it, you think you’re doing something good for your body but it brings all sorts of different problems that you didn’t have before!

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to TheJazzSinger]

I used to wear insoles since my teenage years. I have mild hypermobility and had flat feet with major pronation.

About twelve years ago, I got a new set of orthotics made at the local hospital. The first few attempts by the podiatrist were awful to wear. I braved through with them until the heel wedge he'd put in one side caused me to get a blister on a one mile walk.

That set the seeds of me looking for an alternative. A chance remark on an internet forum a few months later about "barefoot shoes" hit a chord, so I decided to try them out.

11½ years on, and I've not worn insoles since. It initially took about six months, but I now have built up my foot strength such that I have arches and do not pronate.

One podiatrist (about 20 years ago) also said one leg was slightly longer than the other one. I forget which one, though.

And then three years ago I decided to start doing Couch to 5K.

[TheJazzSinger in reply to nowster]

Thanks I’ll take a look at barefoot shoes.

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to TheJazzSinger]

I have to warn you that they're not for everyone, and if you're used to very structured shoes with raised heels, they will take quite some time to adapt to. (People have injured themselves when doing "too much too soon".)

Try walking round the house barefoot first.