Orthopaedic shoes nhs.

[Greenginger12]

Hello Can you get orthopaedic shoes on the nhs,? If so how does one go about getting a pair?

Thank you in advance for your replies.

[helenlw7]

I was referred to them because I had surgery on my big and second toe. This was at our orthopaedic hospital. I was referred to a podiatrist at the general hospital but I’m not sure if they do shoes.

[Greenginger12 in reply to helenlw7]

I have been to the podiatrist, they gave me insoles, which are not helping . They said the next stage then is steroid injections into the foot.

[helenlw7 in reply to Greenginger12]

Good luck! The joints in my feet are among the few joints I haven’t had injections in.

[medway-lady in reply to Greenginger12]

Go for them injections if it’s a Morton’s they work and are not pain full. But it just puts off surgery really. I’ve had mine done and best thing ever. I wear normal shoes no problem. The injections don’t work for everyone but better than insoles or awful shoes.

[KittyJ]

when I got my orthotics made at the hospital they said they could get shoes made if I wanted them. They were awful so I said no thanks and just got the insoles.

[Duster1979 in reply to KittyJ]

Same here!

[BoneyC in reply to KittyJ]

Ditto - the NHS shoes were hideous and uncomfortable, I'll stick with Hotter Leanne.

[AgedCrone]

I shouldn’t think so…..if you see a Podiatrist you might get insoles, but I haven’t heard of anybody getting free shoes.

Think that might work out too expensive these days ….& from other aids the NHS provide,not too attractive.

[rabbits65 in reply to AgedCrone]

Yes I got free shoes , 8 months ago, the only thing is they are a bit on the heavy side. They definitely make them for us if you get referred first. I do prefer the soles of the sketchers

[Gillybob19]

My Mum had some a few years ago (she has RA) but when they arrived they were seriously ugly and she stuck with her sketchers trainers instead! I don't know whether the NHS still provide them though.

[vonniesims]

You will need a referral from your GP.My auntie got some when one leg was shorter than the other after hip surgery. They were not pretty, but comfortable.

[Rusticgarden]

Yes the NHS does , the shoes / trainers have moved on in style these days .NRAS on Facebook had a discussion ( podiatry and orthotics) discussing shoes and feet

[bpeal1]

I think you would need to have a discussion with your podiatrist. However, if the insoles are not working I’m not sure how much difference the shoes are going to make. I’ve had lots of steroid injections into various joints in my feet over the years. On the whole they have been very successful and given me months or even years of relief. I’d say if the podiatrist thinks they would help it’s probably worth a try.

[Akaka]

Hi, I was referred to a podiatrist then referred to the rheumatoid podiatrist who has given me injections and regularly ultrasounds my feet. He has given me off the shelf inner soles which have been great , He also referred me to orthotics and I got a pair of shoes and inner soles. But what a saga, they came back looking nothing like the photo and the wrong colour, after months I eventually got them and one felt bigger than the other and I could not tighten it enough and they were not particularly comfortable . I gave up at that point, the inner soles are very thick and will not fit in any other shoes that I had. Good luck you might be luckier than me!

[marie66]

I swear by the toe supports and insoles from NHS orthotics, they have been a game changer for me! I can still pick nice trainers and shoes I like and just swap out the insoles. M x

[Sherlock11]

A friend of my mums had terrible problems with RA affecting her feet, she had shoes made for her and they took ages to get and she said they were the most awful shoes you could imagine and often didn't fit properly so she gave up.

[Hidden]

youtube.com/watch?v=ckoBN0V...(Not working as expected?)

You may find the above NRAS live recording worth a watch as we talked about foot health and orthotics. It was from just last month and has some great tips about foot wear etc.

[cyberbarn]

My son who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome so not a rheumatoid condition, gets shoes on the NHS. Well, boots. He loves them. Because they are made to fit they are more comfortable than say Doc Martins, lighter, and hold his ankles well. They don't look orthopaedic at all, and many of the companies do more stylish shoes now.

The problem is each area will have rules about who gets them and which companies they will deal with. So experiences will vary across the country.

Additionally, funding is a bit of a mystery. At one point when my son was still a paediatric patient we had to go to the GP to be referred to physio who would refer to podiatry who referred to orthotics! It is much better now after a huge campaign to get the funding sorted. Apparently the funds for orthotics for children had disappeared into the CCG blackholes!

Now we can just ring a specific person at our local hospital and she will arrange an appointment with an orthotist. I just don't ask anymore about referrals and funding as I am scared it might all stop!

So check out the NHS trusts in your area to see what the referral route for orthotics is. Here is the NHS page for service specification, that is what they should be doing!

england.nhs.uk/commissionin...

[Grounsel]

I got shoes made on nhs they looked terrible . I got insoles made and brooks trainers 2e wide . Feel great and good support . Also get new balance in 4e width they are good too .

[Retirednhs]

If you go to podiatry and they feel you need them they can refer you to the orthotics dept who will measure and show you examples in a book of different ones that would suit your problem a d then order them in for you . A there is D&B shoes and Wider fit shoes that if they can't be bought locally can send you an up-to-date booklet of them all or you can view them on line but of course they have to be paid for . Hope this helps

[RAat13]

Ask to be referred to orthotics, they can make you some

[Salamanca21]

Of course! You must ask your rheumatologist or GP to give you a referral to Orthotics.

[wishbone]

I had a free pair of orthopaedic shoes a year or so after I was diagnosed with RA 20 years ago. They were designed for me by my local hospital. Not sure, but think it was my rheumy who referred me. Have had increasing trouble with my feet over the years and while being fitted with NHS orthotic insoles a year ago, I was shown a brochure with a variety of footwear thought suitable for arthritic feet but am quite happy with Skecher boots I currently wear. I would have had to pay for boots if I wanted a pair.