Orthotics, my story - so far.

Reginald P. DuM

Hope this is the right place to start this thread. I know there are a number of threads already on orthotics but I wanted to keep track of my progress from Day 1 for my own sake, and for those who may find themselves in a similar situation. It may inspire or otherwise to act, depending on how I get on. I don't expect to be posting about them for long if things go well the thread can drift into Boards history, but it can be there for reference. Took delivery of my brand new set today and at 290 euro they better be worth it. Though I may add that included the consultation for fitting, which involved taking plaster of paris moulds of the feet.

I will start with a bit of background. Started running in the middle of last year, and got into it quite quickly. Wasn't breaking any records but felt I was progressing in terms of fitness and stamina. Autumn came and I started to feel minor twinges on the inside of both knees, firstly the right then some time later the left. Initially these pains would subside after a kilometre or two so didn't think much of them. Then the ankles went, similarily inside again, and it was becoming clear that there was no way I was gonna be able to run this off. Next stop would surely have been shin splints. The running had to stop for now, and I made my way to my physio. She knew the score immediatley, took one look at the feet, prescribed the orthotic.

They feel weird, obviously on first day, I will gradually break them in and update here just to let anyone concerned know how they go. I know there is mixed reaction towards them, but the physio told me her success rate is very high so I hope I don't buck that particular trend. Will wear them to work tomorrow, and head for a short run on Wednesday morning.

Husavik

I don't have Orthotics but prescription insoles at €80 a pair. Here my backround briefly, hopefully you find it interesting.

I could run 20 odd miles/pw without any real hitches but as I went above that, round May last year (when I made a decision to do Dublin marathon), I started to get panging pains in my lower legs. My local doctor, who is an orthopaedic physician and has worked with international athletes for 18 years, said that as my foot struck the ground it twisted slightly inwards and the twisting worked right up to the hip. Sustained high mileage over several weeks would eventually take it's toll. He also said my calves were too tight and to stretch them more.

I was reffered to a specialist in bio-mechanics and she recommended orthotics, but said the less expensive prescription insoles would do. I have bow legs. She also gave me a stretching drill of 3 x 1 minutes per leg, twice per day for the calves.

As I am doing the marathon, it of course came to me that I should get new runners and that they should be properly fitted. So I coincided it with the insoles. Now to cut a long story short - I don't know whether it was the new runners, the new stretching or the insoles but basically the pains stopped. I increased my mileage slowly to about 180 miles across Sept and was still ok. Obviously there were niggles here and there but nothing that would not clear. I have just ordered a replacement pair as I gear up for this October.

So I for one am completely sold on them.

I would be interested to hear how you get on.

mloc123

I just don't get Orthotics, insoles etc...

Everyone should be able to run in neutral/flat shoes if they spend time working on their form. From what I see on here.. people start running, up the millage and get injured... physio says get orthotics instead of addressing the real issue.

Of course all of this is just my opinion, which considering how crap I am doesn't count for much. Rant over.

Reginald P. DuM

mloc123 wrote: »

Everyone should be able to run in neutral/flat shoes if they spend time working on their form.

Absolutely, in an ideal world. Alas this aint it. My feet are as flat as one can have, and impact has a negative effect on all parts of legs, hips and the back. It makes sense, the constant pounding on the ground will do damage if muscles, bones and joints aren't aligned correctly. The orthotic straightens the ankle into a more upright position thus placing less pressure or grinding on the vital parts of the legs.

leon76

I've been training hard the last 3 months for a upcoming Marathan. I already have Orthothcs since 2007, and I have found them brillant. "No more twisted ankles"
However, since the middle of Feb I've really began feeling pains in my left foot. First it was the arch, then numbness on the sole of my foot and now a stinging pain right through the middle of my foot.

My physio tells me that I should get new Orthotics done, but with the Marathan fast approaching I think I'm out of time. (Connamarathan 11.4.2010). Has anybody any usefull info.....

regards

Leon.

Husavik

mloc123 wrote: »

I just don't get Orthotics, insoles etc...

Everyone should be able to run in neutral/flat shoes if they spend time working on their form. From what I see on here.. people start running, up the millage and get injured... physio says get orthotics instead of addressing the real issue.

Of course all of this is just my opinion, which considering how crap I am doesn't count for much. Rant over.

I take your points and I'm keeping an open mind. However I would add that in previous years I would have done 20 miles pw over several weeks, as part of triathlon training, with zero issues.

In general, thinking about my foot strike does make me concentrate more on my form, on things like the camber and just 'listening' to my body for the wrong signals. I'm sure this has helped aswell.

Wally Runs

It took me, several visits to sports therapist, physiotherapist, GP and finally very serious shin splints to find out that I needed orthotics. All through this period I worked on form, stretching, Pilates and anything else that was recommended. Many Euros later, I was told that simply I had one leg shorter than the other! and that nothing other than orthotics to give me the missing cm.

It took, about six months to get used to the orthotics, I had to find shoes that would fit them, not just running shoes but work shoes and casual shoes too. Since breaking them in, I have had no problems as before. Sure, I have new ones, as I can now train longer and harder than before but the problems are not with my shins etc.

I only wish I bought two pairs as it would be easier to leave a set in the running shoes and have a spare pair for the work and casual shoes.

Reginald P. DuM

Physio advised to wear them for 2/3 hours today, I stretched that to 10 because I am eager to break them in. While they felt awkward there was no real discomfort so I left them in as long as possible. Its hard to describe how they feel other than cumbersome but they will become an extension of my feet in time I am sure. So far they are fitting all my footwear I just pull out the insoles and they slip in. I'm not yet sure about running on them so soon but will go maybe 2k in the morning just to see how they go.

Reginald P. DuM

Went for a short trot this morning to see how I'd get on with them. I didn't have to buy new runners either which was a bonus. Only went for a short 2 miler and have come out of it very happy. No twinges or pulls of any kind, the impact seems to be much straighter, with the ankle being at right angles to the ground. The sensation for the first few hundred yards was like as if I had cut a golf ball in half and placed them under my arches, but that subsided. I am aware that the jury is still out, it will take time to get up to decent distances and pace before I can really judge the effectiveness of the orthotic but so far it is all good.

joconnell

I'm in a similar position reginald in that my arch is very flat and my foot would roll to the outside of my leg thus I got some brooks shoes with a really hard arch in them. I'm only starting off so only up around 7.5k distances - getting some blistering on the inside of my arches from the rubbing of the support which apparently is easy to solve with the correct socks or putting some smooth surface tape over the arch of the shoe to ease friction.

The other thing is that I got the audio book version of born to run by Christopher McDougall and they've quite a bit of time dedicated to barefoot and thing sole style running - apparently most of the injuries people get today are as a result of the extra cushioning in running shoes - their arches have gotten lazy from all the padding. The other thing is actual technique. I tried it out today where I was running with the toe striking the ground first as opposed reaching out with my heel and rolling through - it really lessens the impact on your body where you're putting your weight down while your foot is under your hips and with your knees bent your leg is able to absorb the shock a lot better - I found I was using a hell of a lot less energy and could have gone on for far longer than the 7.5k (didn't cos I'm lazy ).

Have a search for pose running which is the style (or front foot running) and see what you think!

jmdsk

Very interesting post http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055857466

littlebug

I started wearing my orthotics on the same day as you so the comparison will be interesting. I've been wearing them from some time every day and a couple of short easy runs. To be honest today I feel like I've just started running with lots of muscles complaining... but I guess the balance is completely different so it'll take a bit of getting used to.

Reginald P. DuM

Well thats 7 days done now, and full time snce day 3. Feel great, am well used to them by now, I know they are there but I don't notice them. Twisted my ankle slightly playing soccer on Sat (sans orthotics) so won't be running for a week or two. Feel more upright walking now though, I can't imagine I will be regretting the decision to purchase.

The Rook

Just wondering, why would you wear orthotics while running , and while walking, but not when playing football? (Are they not for everything?)

Reginald P. DuM

They were too big for the astro turf shoes I was wearing, as in my heel was way to high in them... The insoles were firmly attached, they weren't my shoes so I couldn't tear them out.. So I the orthotics out. The minor twist was unrelated to orthotic and it would have happened had I been wearing them anyway. Trying to be too silky with the ball you know how it is.

InTheTrees

This has been on my mind the last few months and reading this thread last friday motivated me to go and get a set of custom insoles this weekend.

I'm 48 and about two months into a basic couch to 10k routine that i'm taking extremely slowly. I was in shape before starting (75kg), and it was mostly a weight lifting sprain that prompted me to start running.

But I'm totally hooked now. Currently i'm running aout 10 miles a week and walking about 15. I train every two days, sometimes every three if there's an ache.

I was noticing pains in the front of my lower legs, my achilles and ankles. I considered it "normal" and let the aches fade before running again. however on reading a lot of info on insoles I finally want and had a pressure test at a shop (you stand on a pressure pad, the computer analyses your form and reccomends an insole). And i've been wearing the $80 set of insoles they sold me and its absolutly amazing, ankle pain is gone and I feel like i'm standing straighter. I havent run in them yet but I will later.

Wombil

Ladies and Gentlemen. I have had problems with both feet and I've been told orthotics are the way to go. Managed to get a free scan from Peter Maher who's based in Carragaline, Cork but I've read a couple of bad reviews of his work on boards. Can I ask those of you who have orthotics how you went about getting them. I don't want to pay a physio to tell me what I already know. Where is the best place to go in Munster?


Many thanks

InTheTrees

Wombil wrote: »

Ladies and Gentlemen. I have had problems with both feet and I've been told orthotics are the way to go. Managed to get a free scan from Peter Maher who's based in Carragaline, Cork but I've read a couple of bad reviews of his work on boards. Can I ask those of you who have orthotics how you went about getting them. I don't want to pay a physio to tell me what I already know. Where is the best place to go in Munster?


Many thanks

I'm in the US so I dont know how helpful i'll be...

I didnt go the whole way by going to a physio I just used a high street chain store outdoor shop. They had a gadget that you stand on and the computer analyses the pressure map and reccomends an insole. Quick and easy. And about $80

Obvioulsy thats a lot less than being professionally analysed but I thought it would be a good first step and it really seems to be working wonders, I'm not sure that i'd bother going into it any deeper.

However I really appeciate the difference they can make and I imagine they would clear up all sorts of leg and ankl issues. Certainly worth the effort especially if you're older where avoiding injury becaomes more of a problem.

Reginald P. DuM

Can I ask those of you who have orthotics how you went about getting them. I don't want to pay a physio to tell me what I already know. Where is the best place to go in Munster?

Where I am in Clonmel, I had two choices really.. Physio or a Podiatrist. Since I had a good physio that I was happy with I used her. The consultation, fitting and the actual orthotics themsevles were all included in the €290 bill. So not bad value for a real professional job done. There are cheaper ones over the counter but I felt seen as I use the ol' feet a lot I should go the whole hog and I have to say I don't regret it. By now I really don't notice I am wearing them and am free of the niggles that plagued me to begin with. I still have to get up to distance running to see how they go then but all the signs are good so far. Find a recommended physio or podiatrist and ring them to see what kind of money they are asking for. This time next yr you may well be saying why didnt I do it sooner. Best of luck and report back with your story.