Orthotics

tyllwyd

Has anyone got any experience of being prescribed orthotics privately?

I'm struggling at the moment because I have very flat feet (it's genetic, unfortunately) and I'm overweight (which I am trying to do something about, not very successfully). I also have a tendency for fluid to accumulate in my ankles - I've seen the gp about that, and he didn't think it was anything that required treatment beyond sitting with my legs up in the evening.

But the result of all of that is that after even an hour standing, shopping for example, my ankles are burning, I'm getting a pain along the arch of my foot from using the clutch when driving, and in the morning I'm hobbling around like an old woman for half an hour after getting out of bed. I was wondering if it might help to get some proper orthotics for my shoes. I've tried shop ones, but all that happens is that my food goes over the side of them and they bruise the arch of my foot making it all worse!

I could go anywhere basically along the M4. Has anyone got experience of being measured and fitted for orthotics, or any recommendations?

cabbage

Hi

I have had ones ordered by an osteopath but same probs as shop bought ones. I now use orthaheel ones. If it bruises your foot you could try full length ones.

Before getting out of bed, get a towel over the widest part of your foot and gently stretch the foot. You could also roll a plastic bottle of water around under your foot.

Get your knees checked too. I was hobbling around in the morning but had Physio on my knees and orthotics for my feet and I'm ok now.

raindropsy

Hello,
I have the same problem . I`ve had ortho shoes and the insoles when I was about 17 . I persevered in wearing, but like my consultant said that you can wear them for hours on end and when you take them off they go back to their own shape. I was thinking of operation then, but was told the arch would fall back in in a few years and I`ll be left with scars.
I put the shop bought ones in and they mold themselves to my foot after while and work fine. I get the ones from boots I think , they are blue and soft.
I buy good quality shoes from Clarks , it takes long time to find the right ones. But the only advise from me is buy a well fitter quality proper shoes, no daps and ballerina flimsy plimsolls that are in fashion.
I get a lot of pain in my arches if I walk fast and long distance. I just have to stop and wait or walk on the edges of my shoes to stop the pain.
Good luck with it.

jenhug

if you go to a proper running shop, they can asses how you walk run and will fit a pair of trainers to you. I paid about £80 for mine, but the relief was immediate. I think I used the sweat shop. was worth every penny.

tyllwyd

Thanks everyone! I have tried the hard and the soft insoles, but neither helped that much. I will have to get more courage to face a proper running shop. I might try an elasticated ankle support when I know I've got a long walk coming up. And no ballerina pumps for me ... not with my bunions ...

brook2jack

Have you actually seen a chiropodist/podiatrist who is qualified in orthotics?

You need to have a proper diagnosis of what your problems are as it may need more than a simple orthotic. I had severe foot/ankle pain which the chiropodist warned me that orthotics would give me relief for a few years before I needed surgery on a problem no one else had picked up on , I had just thought I had flat feet.

're weight loss each extra pound of weight puts seven pounds more pressure on the ankle so weight loss may very well get rid of many of your symptoms. But see someone to diagnose what problems you have first. My private orthotics cost £200 but were about the limit of could be done without surgery.

tyllwyd

brook2jack wrote: »

Have you actually seen a chiropodist/podiatrist who is qualified in orthotics

No I haven't, that was part of the reason for asking the question here. How/where would I get to talk to someone like that? I've spoken to my gp a couple of times over the years, but he's never shown any inclination to refer me on to anyone else.

brook2jack

not all podiatrists are registered or qualified in orthotics. Here is a site to help find one. http://www.scpod.org/membership/find-a-podiatrist/

If thet find a problem they can refer you direct to a consultant in the hospital system

theoretica

tyllwyd wrote: »

No I haven't, that was part of the reason for asking the question here. How/where would I get to talk to someone like that? I've spoken to my gp a couple of times over the years, but he's never shown any inclination to refer me on to anyone else.

Have you directly asked your GP if it would be possible to be referred to a podiatrist? It doesn't have to be his idea.

Fire_Fox

When you say genetic do you mean you have a structural (bone) problem or do you just mean other people in your family also seem to have low arches? Do your shoes wear unevenly? Why do you have bunions, did you wear heels for years or is that simply part of the same issue?

Agree with Theoretica, ask your GP for a referral to a podiatrist, physiotherapist, someone to support you with the weight management such as a dietician or the Exercise for Health scheme. Also agree with Jenhug, have a gait analysis at a proper sports/ running shop (expect to go onto a treadmill in socks).

Another option is a proper deep sports massage of the whole lower leg to release trigger points. Particularly the soleus (lower calf) and peroneals (tiny, outer knee down). You may well also need to strengthen the gluteus medius (outer bottom). Once you know where your trigger points are you can do SMR (form of self massage using a foam roller) at home, this is painful but highly effective for muscle imbalances.

tyllwyd

Fire_Fox wrote: »

When you say genetic do you mean you have a structural (bone) problem or do you just mean other people in your family also seem to have low arches?

I wasn't being very scientific, I'm afraid - my grandfather / mother / me / my daughter have all had flat feet from birth so I've always thought of it as something that runs in that side of my family.

Do your shoes wear unevenly?

Probably not unevenly compared to each other, although they get bent down at the sides because of my flat arches.

Why do you have bunions, did you wear heels for years or is that simply part of the same issue?

No, I've never worn heels - they've never looked good with no arches! The bunions aren't bad, really, just that I can feel them starting if I try to wear shoes that come across the end of my toe. I think it is probably my fault for wearing court shoes back in the days when I worked in an office.

Agree with Theoretica, ask your GP for a referral to a podiatrist, physiotherapist, someone to support you with the weight management such as a dietician or the Exercise for Health scheme. Also agree with Jenhug, have a gait analysis at a proper sports/ running shop (expect to go onto a treadmill in socks).

Yes, I probably should go back to the GP and ask for a referral. The trouble is that although I have problems, they aren't extreme (I'm overweight, but a size 20 not a size 30) so I'm not sure if I'm bad enough to qualify for NHS help, if you see what I mean. I'll have to research where I might find a decent running shop.

Another option is a proper deep sports massage of the whole lower leg to release trigger points. Particularly the soleus (lower calf) and peroneals (tiny, outer knee down). You may well also need to strengthen the gluteus medius (outer bottom). Once you know where your trigger points are you can do SMR (form of self massage using a foam roller) at home, this is painful but highly effective for muscle imbalances.

I'll have a think about that, thank you!