Orthotics? And a GP who didn't listen - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,406 members158,558 posts

Orthotics? And a GP who didn't listen

Squeakypoptest profile image
SqueakypoptestGraduate
16 Replies

So as per Iannoda's advice I took my ankle to the doc. He wasn't interested and actually told me to stop talking three rimes as he typed up a note about sending me for a diabetes blood test. Which I've already had.

So I paid to see a charming young chiropodist fellow who said it looked like a squashed area dense with nerves and that gait analysis and orthotics would probably help.

Has anyone here had/run with orthotics? Would I need some for my regular shoes and more for my running shoes?

Written by
Squeakypoptest profile image
Squeakypoptest
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
16 Replies
Rignold profile image
Rignold

Did your chiropodist not advise about that?

Squeakypoptest profile image
SqueakypoptestGraduate in reply to Rignold

he did suggest it but I wanted your hive wisdom too as I'm not going to be paying you lot £490 for the privilege!

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

There are neutral running shoes and then running shoes for people who over and under pronate as far as I know.

My hubby wears orthotics in his normal shoes and trainers, and had a gait analysis for running shoes and was given supportive footwear for over pronation. I would suggest going to a proper running shop and see what they suggest.

The othotics he wears in normal shoes can be bought at a chemist they are quite pricey at about £25 I think but you can transfer them between shoes.

He did try them in running shoes to begin with which was a mistake, as he bought running shoes for low arches from one of the cheaper sports shops to start with.

I hope this is helpful, sorry about the ramble...😊x

Squeakypoptest profile image
SqueakypoptestGraduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner

this is helpful. I have been today and done casts for custom orthotics- on the way home I bought some over the counter ones and I am currently trying them out in my Crocs

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate

Did the chiropodist mean gait analysis for running shoes, orthotics for regular shoes?

Squeakypoptest profile image
SqueakypoptestGraduate in reply to Millsie-J

I think both for both

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

I run with orthotics but only for running and gym work. Everyone is different so we can't say here whether you need to wear them all the time. It sounds to me as if you need to see a podiatrist and not a chiropodist. A podiatrist will look at your whole lower body dynamics, feet, knees, hips to determine if you need orthotics and what kind etc.

You can either book an appointment to see a podiatrist on a private basis or return to your GP and ask him to refer you. Keep trying to get this sorted out as any foot problems really need to get fixed. Good luck.

Squeakypoptest profile image
SqueakypoptestGraduate in reply to Irishprincess

Thank you- I have seen a podiatrist this morning and you're right- total analysis of leg/foot mechanics

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate

Feathersprings. I went from agony with my feet to where I barely notice them now.

Squeakypoptest profile image
SqueakypoptestGraduate in reply to Irish-John

they look interesting! Did you get the custom ones?

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate in reply to Squeakypoptest

Yes. I went from literally not being able to walk/stand for more than 20 minutes without excruciating foot pain to pain-free (and c210k grad)

Seriously the best product ever for foot pain.

John_W profile image
John_WAmbassador

I've had custom-made orthoses for 3.5 years now.... without them I wouldn't be able to run. It's that simple. After an issue in 2004, the knee specialist I saw said I would probably benefit from them but I shyed away from doing anything about it because I was afraid of the cost. Stupid boy!

Fast forward to 2014 and another knee niggle.... I mentioned orthotics to my GP who recommended a few sports physios - one of whom has literally changed my life by immediately spotting I was very misaligned (so knee joints not tracking properly, hence pain) and referring me to in-house podiatrist. I have 1 foot that pronates and the other supinates. The orthoses now mean my legs, knees and feet all feel amazing compared to how they did before. And the benefits (I can RUN!!) vastly outweigh the cost - I'm training for the London Marathon :-)

I firmly believe that a lot of people have dodgy alignment but they just don't know it (20 years in my case) and it can result in all sorts of issues once they start running.

Off-the shelf orthoses are fine for a lot of people, but I'd strongly suggest taking Irishprincess 's advice: a referral from your GP to a podiatrist.

Good luck!

John

PS I wear mine all the time - work shoes, running, slippers etc. The only I don't wear them is in bed and in the shower/bath/seaside ;-)

Squeakypoptest profile image
SqueakypoptestGraduate in reply to John_W

Many thanks John- it really helps to hear about your experience. I was wondering if I'd left it too long (I'm 44) but your 20 year gap changed my mind

John_W profile image
John_WAmbassador in reply to Squeakypoptest

Glad to be of some help. They are not a panacea and don't suite everyone. But it's a route definitely worth exploring in my opinion. Really hope it works out for you.

Squeakypoptest profile image
SqueakypoptestGraduate in reply to John_W

Will let you know!

Squeakypoptest profile image
SqueakypoptestGraduate

Thanks- all your responses have been really useful.

It would have taken weeks to get an appt through the GP- that is, if they had listened to me at all. In the end my dad agreed to orthotics as an early birthday present! Not glamorous, if I can be pain free it will be glorious. I have bad knees including an old motorbike accident injury, and painful ankles particularly on the right. I was getting rather miserable about it.

The podiatrist did lots of measuring and manipulation and then I walked on a special pressure pad linked to the computer. He showed me how my gait, footfall, knee, hip and foot angles were all putting pressure on my ankle. Then I had to push my feet into a substance not unlike florists' oasis to make a cast. It was fascinating!

They should arrive in four weeks and in the meantime I have some shop-bought orthotics to try in my Crocs

You may also like...

Orthotics; yes or no?

Having read \\"Born to Run\\" and noted the comments about how modern running shoe tech may not...

Orthotics and running shoes?

I have to wear orthotic insoles in my shoes normally . Has anyone bought running shoes that will...

Good job I didn't listen to Laura BEFORE I did it!...

afternoon) of my walk/run. I would NEVER have believed that I could achieve the amount of running...

For those who listen to music while running...

roughly the speed you should run at (or something like that). However, given I run really slowly,...

Who listens to radio?

commented recently that he listens to radio whilst running, does anyone else and what do you use to...