orthotics

paulb79

got assessment for orthotics on tuesday , just wondering how others found them did they make much difference

devotional1993

Only if done right, you actually need them and they are light. My big problem with them is the extra weight apx 100g per shoe extra. For certain people they are a must though.
A lot of physios etc con people into buying them when they dont actually need them>.


If anybody knows where to get the really light ones in Ireland a lot of the top runners use or buy in Switzerland or Belgium let me know. They look more like a normal insole than a really stiff one.

Clearlier

paulb79 wrote: »

got assessment for orthotics on tuesday , just wondering how others found them did they make much difference

Complete waste of space, time and money until I went to see somebody who makes them for a living. Transformed my ability to run once I got the right ones.

elvis jones

Clearlier wrote: »

Complete waste of space, time and money until I went to see somebody who makes them for a living. Transformed my ability to run once I got the right ones.

I went to one person, sorted me and made a HUGE difference to my running and very happy with them.

ecoli

devotional1993 wrote: »

If anybody knows where to get the really light ones in Ireland a lot of the top runners use or buy in Switzerland or Belgium let me know. They look more like a normal insole than a really stiff one.

Mike Davis would be a man to check out as he does the type you are referring to. Huge waiting list though from what I know but supposed to be completely worth it

Here his number (from a previous post here)

045 532792

Situated in Monasterevin and is supposed to be cheaper than most of the usuals.

Dunno what to make of orthotics myself. Guy I got them off is a bit of a cowboy and being injured I was desperate to try anything. Dont think they have corrected my previous injury problems (think flexibility work and strengthening has done this) however I never run without them at the same time (just in case)

Bugsy2000

devotional1993 wrote: »

If anybody knows where to get the really light ones in Ireland a lot of the top runners use or buy in Switzerland or Belgium let me know. They look more like a normal insole than a really stiff one.

I think I have the type you are referring to. I got them in Austria a few years ago when I was skiing as the boots were driving me mad. The lads in the ski shop did them for me and they took about 15 mins start to finish.

I had to step on a silicone pad which me feet sank into. At the flick of a switch the silicone hardened which left a mould of my foot. They had a blank orthotic which they softened up with a heat gun and they shaped this into the mould. When it hardened up it was a perfect fit. All for €70.00.

Because it was such a rush job and the price I figured they probably weren't too good so after the holiday they went into the back of the wardrobe.

Last year I was having problems with my feet (plantar fasciitis & a few other issues) A gait analysis indicated I was an over pronator and I was told to change my footwear. I remembered the inserts I had at home & decided to give them a try with my current runners - problem solved.

Now I figured I might have just got lucky so at a recent physio appointment I had the physio take a look at them. She told me they rectified the over pronation nearly 100%. She had never seen that type before & was impressed with them. They are a Sidas Flash Fit Run+ insert, & I've since found out the the Leinster Sports Clinic provide them. No idea what cost though.

The links below give a bit of info on them;

http://www.conform-able.com/conformable-home-2-2.html

http://www.leinstersportsclinic.ie/orthotics.html

Oh yeah, they are super lightweight

Clearlier

I'm glad that they work for you Bugsy but I'd caution anybody else to avoid them. To my untutored eye they look very similar to the rubbish that I was sold before I went to see an orthotist.

An orthotist spends 4 years studying prosthetics and orthotics. A podiatrist spends a similar amount of time studying feet. The guys who make the orthotics mentioned above might possibly have spent a weekend learning how to operate the machinery or if they were really diligent a fortnight.

If you genuinely need orthotics and not just improved core strength then see a professional.

Bugsy2000

Clearlier wrote: »

I'm glad that they work for you Bugsy but I'd caution anybody else to avoid them. To my untutored eye they look very similar to the rubbish that I was sold before I went to see an orthotist.

An orthotist spends 4 years studying prosthetics and orthotics. A podiatrist spends a similar amount of time studying feet. The guys who make the orthotics mentioned above might possibly have spent a weekend learning how to operate the machinery or if they were really diligent a fortnight.

If you genuinely need orthotics and not just improved core strength then see a professional.

I'd agree completely. These were bought as a quick fix while on hols & were left in the back of the wardrobe for a year after that as I figured they couldn't be too accurate but so far so good for me with them.

Murkler

My concern about orthotics is that the guy who prescribed them, a chiropodist, is the guy who is proposing to supply them to me at a cost of €200.
That wouldn't be the case with a GP's prescription, nor would it be the case at an Optician (yeah, you get your eyes tested at SpecSavers, for example, but you are under no obligation to buy your next set of glasses there).

Is the price quoted reasonable? And does it get cheaper if I order a second identical pair? The guy tells me that the orthotics he will supply will be worn in all my shoes. They will be made of carbon fibre so they should last a life time.. but I might want to get a new set in two years time, because my prescription will have changed...

..looks like I am getting into a €100 a year habit with a monopoly supplier..

tunguska

I've been through a few sets of orthotics and honestly the conclusion I've come to is that most people dont need them. They're way over-prescribed.
I've ditched mine and I really believe they caused me an injury in the first place. I've had to work on core strength and in general get muscles firing that weren't having to work before when I was using the orthotics. It takes more effort than simply slipping a pair of insoles into your shoes but in the long run its worth it.

sconhome

At least you are looking at orthotics in the right place. A podiatrist, physio or chiropidist are really the only people who should be designing and fitting orthotics.

They are not an off the shelf product as some people are mis led in various stores.

Personally I agree with tunguska and they are rampant at the moment. An othotic should be considered in the same way as a crutch or cane. Use it while you are injured for as long as your injury persists, after that you can become dependent on them as foot muscles weaken on account of the supercompensation.

Address the undelying issues first.

Have a read of this guy (not my blog) I think he is bang on the nail with most of his views http://drnicksrunningblog.com

Clearlier

I think that orthotics have a place but I agree with Tunguska that they can replace some core muscles and should be used carefully and sparingly.

While a chiropodist/podiatrist is usually a good source for orthotics the use of carbon fibre rings a warning bell. When I got mine they had to be adjusted several times before I could wear them - the orthotist I saw told me that about 20% of cases require adjustments. How do you adjust carbon fibre? The price is actually pretty cheap for serious orthotics but I do wonder if the orthotics you are being offered are serious ones.

Tec Diver

About three years ago I was sold orthotics because the person selling me runners said I was "pronating" due to the way I was standing (!). Not knowing much about running at the time I bought them.
I brought them out on a run and my feet sweated so much it was like someone was hosing down my feet. I stopped and threw the orthotics in the bin and finished the run, haven't used any since.
I do feel that one short barefoot run a week will help strengthen the feet, but you should also do work to loosen out the PF area and some exercises (picking up a towel with your toes etc).
I've been transitioning to zero drop runners and my injuries are few compared to when I was using normal runners and getting injured every 2-3 months.