Problems with podiatry insoles?

[Maggsie]

Hi All, a few weeks ago I managed to get podiatrist appointment due to the problems with my left foot (painful metatarsals, collapsed arch and toes spreading, big toe joint fused). I was really grateful to have a thorough examination and come away with some insoles which I really hoped would help. I wore them for a short time most days and slowly built up to an hours walk after 2 weeks.

Well, they did help my foot , but caused significant problems with my left knee. It swelled up like a balloon and the pain was unbearable. Two weeks later I'm still struggling to weight bear on that knee and have had to give up my Aqua therapy classes as I can't get out of the pool! The damage appears to be significant as I recognise the symptoms from my right knee before my TKR

I've stopped wearing the insoles until the next appt but I was wondering if anyone else has had similar problems when wearing insoles?

[Amnesiac3637]

What a shame. It may be that wearing insoles altered your gait too much so you overcompensated and your knee didn’t like it one bit. Of course it could be unrelated and you probably need to go back to a medic so they can have a good look. Hope it settles soon. Never rains…….😢

[Maggsie in reply to Amnesiac3637]

I guess that's right. Change in gait has exacerbated the osteo in my left knee and left me in more pain. I'll take the foot pain instead!

[summer32A]

I had some they do it as a cheap option!I really need my Morton's neuroma removed or injected they wouldn't do this as more hassle for NHS I have paid for two lots of private injection into them which helps but they only last for about 6 months I had a private physio do it ultrasound guided.

I am on .my feet more than I would like in my work which doesn't help.

I found the insoles uncomfortable and useless

[mjrminor]

I've been wearing insides for 3 years now, which have had to be remoulded each year due to my feet changing shape. My latest pair took ay least six weeks of breaking them in before they stopped hurting. My podiatrist advised me to reduce the hours I was wearing them and build it up again at a slower pace. I was given the direct phone line to the podiatry department and told to call if I had any further problems.

Would it be worth giving yours a call rather than waiting until your next appointment? They may be able to give advice over the phone.

[Maggsie in reply to mjrminor]

Did the 6 weeks breaking in give you pain elsewhere in your legs/hips or was it just foot pain?

[cyberbarn]

Do you have a follow up appointment with the podiatrist? If so please take it up as they will be able to adjust the insoles or make a different type. I take it they gave you off the shelf ones? It might mean that you need bespoke ones. Do go back because sometimes you need to try different things before the right thing happens. A bit like trying various medications for RA before you hit on the one that is right for you.

[Maggsie in reply to cyberbarn]

The insoles were off the shelf but the podiatrist did spend quite a while adding and removing bits so that they could be adjusted. I did find them very comfortable almost immediately but obviously didnt realise the damage they were doing to my knee.If it's a choice between the two, I'll take the foot pain any day!

[Runrig01]

It is most likely due to the fact that your gait had altered due to the foot pain, and now the insoles are correcting the position and your gait has adjusted too. When any joint is painful we adjust the way we walk to minimise the pain. It may also be that you had some osteoarthritis in that knee, which has flared from readjusting your gait. It may be worth seeing your gp re your knee, just to rule out any coincidental damage. Changing your gait can also cause pains in the hips and spine. Hope you get answers soon 🤗

[mjrminor]

I had some hip and knee pain as well as the feet that eventually went away, but nothing like you're describing. I hope you're in less pain soon.

[medway-lady]

I was told by a podiatrist about a fallen arch and he made insoles. And they made the problem much worse. I was in agony so saw an Orthopaedic Surgeon who just said can you stand on tiptoe? me "yes' and did so. Obviously no arch problem and the reason your in more pain is that its putting more pressure on the Morton's Nureoma in your left foot. My foot had also started to turn in and he said down to poor posture caused by the pain. So he operated took the bony overgrowth off big toe, straightened foot and loosened tendon and shaved a tiny bit of bone off each toe. It immediately cured the pain and after a few weeks in plaster I had two pain free straight feet with minimal scaring on the side of my foot and tiny dots all along the base and top of toes. It was the best thing I've ever had done literally life changing and its my belief and this is purely just about my own experience that podiatrists are a bit hit and miss and mine was a miss and created more problems than he solved causing me more pain that was necessary. The surgeon said insoles do help some but in my case it was a stupid thing to even try to suggest that my foot would improve without surgery. But it was cheap way of trying to do something without thinking about would it or could it even help. My feet are still both straight and painfree some 6 years on.

[Maggsie in reply to medway-lady]

Thanks for your response. What you say makes perfect sense. I'll go to my next appt and ask if I can get referred to the ortho team. I have a feeling that some minor foot surgery could do the trick and at least delay the major TKR which will be required if I continue to wear insoles.

[medway-lady in reply to Maggsie]

I know that they work for a lot of people but sadly not for me, I did not want surgery but it was easily the best thing as I love shoes and walking painfree for the first time in years was lovely. I was sure I was fobbed off with a podiatrist as the surgeon said it's often the cheapest course of action and so be persistent after all it only a consultation and if a surgeon says he'll do something then who can argue ?

[Celticdancer]

Next time you buy shoes see if any of the shoe shops, sports shops do a free gait assessment and then they can recommend the best footwear for you as many shoes now especially trainers have inbuilt insoles which will help any foot problems and help your gait.I had bad plantar fasciitis but it's gone away now since having a gait assessment and getting the right trainers. You will have to spend more money on expensive footwear as cheaper shoes are not usually that supportive.

I did get a couple of pairs of insoles from my NHS orthotist and they're OK, but even wearing them everyday didnt help my plantar fasciitis. I had a foam mould taken of my foot and they were sent away to make the insoles. The podiatrist was ok. They seen how I walk and examined my feet but they didn't tell me the type of pronation I have or recommended specific shoes or trainers, it was just very general advice saying the hiking shoes I wore were good. I now wear Asics Gel Kayano 28 which have been brilliant. I've heard Hoka Bondi 7 trainers are good as well.

[Maggsie in reply to Celticdancer]

Thanks for your response. I'm sure we have a gait analysis team at the Royal Derby. I'll check with my Rheumy physio and see if I can get an appt.