insoles

[johnhulme]

Good morning to all, i will be starting a new job next week where i have to where saftey boots.

can anyone give me advice about insoles , what are the best for RA.?

thanks you john

[Hidden]

Good question. I have had various insoles over the years. I think it is really important to have them tailor made by an expert. And fitted to the boots you will be wearing.

My rheumy referred me to the Podiatry dept and they made me a pair which are excellent.

I have also had some made for me at a high street shop that caters for runners and sportspeople. (I am neither!) So if you can't get NHS ones you could try the Sweatshop store. Other shops might do them too, and I am not trying to advertise.

But best choice is via your rheumatology team, I think.

[helixhelix]

Have you been referred to a podiatrist? WhenI first got referred to one I just got off the shelf insoles which were better than nothing (google orthotic insoles and you'll find lots of sites that sell them). But they are lots of different things that could be wrong with your feet, as RA can work its evil way on all the different joints, so these off the shelf ones can only help so far.

However, eventually the scans showed that I did have quite a bit of damage so they allowed me to have custom made ones. These are miles better as the podiatrist made casts of my feet and so they are specific to me, and also sort out the different in the length of my legs which helps my hips too. Apparently I only get one pair on the NHS so they'll have to last me forever as when I looked them up they cost a lot..... Polly

[jim378]

Hi John

I have found the gel ones work well for me, but admittedly I looked around and got a really good and comfy pair of trainers as well ? You can get safety trainers that might be ok with your work. Good luck with your new job.

[oldtimer]

I've found the ones specifically for sports are better than memory foam or ordinary foam insoles. But you do need plenty of room vertically in the boot or shoe or the extra height crams your toes against the toe box. And the pain I get in my feet is mainly over the top of the arch so I don't want that part of the foot compressed.