Anyone Ever Tried Making their own Orthotics?

Soilse

As per title has anyone ever tried this? Was thinking of using silicone, is it a mad idea?

Or even better anyone ditched the orthotics, gone barefoot running and living happy ever after?

Would really appreciate any thoughts on this orthotics are expensive, tried them a few years ago they didnt work and dont want to waste money again on bits of plastic that were never going to work anyway.

Thanks

thirstywork2

Having tried 3 differn't types I am currently wearing a foam based orthotic from wellshod in Kildare.Guy called Michael Davis.
Will let you know in 6 months how I get on but have had soem good reports from many runners who are using them.

regards making your own :eek:

complicit

Badly strained my performis muscle a few months ago playing soccer . Had a limp and serious discomfort so fashioned an orthotic appliance out of a few make up removal pads . It did the trick , allowing me to walk with a less pronounced leg and considerably reduced pain and discomfort .

Soilse

Thanks for the feedback guys my idea was to buy the silicone stuff that you use to fill in cracks in windows etc, remove shoe insole place a bit in arch of shoe put a thinner insole in followed by bare foot carefully stand up aloowing stuff to spread around then leave to cure for a day or so. Reckon would be worth trying on work shoes before wasting my runners:)

I have spent the +300e on orthotics before and want to try cheaper alternatives first before being sure that they would work but foam versions sound like they may be more comfortable alright

tunney

complicit wrote: »

Badly strained my performis muscle a few months ago playing soccer . Had a limp and serious discomfort so fashioned an orthotic appliance out of a few make up removal pads . It did the trick , allowing me to walk with a less pronounced leg and considerably reduced pain and discomfort .

Unlikely to have been related to the "orthotics". Orthotics have been proved to be only useful for below the knee issues.

thirstywork2

Soilse wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback guys my idea was to buy the silicone stuff that you use to fill in cracks in windows etc, remove shoe insole place a bit in arch of shoe put a thinner insole in followed by bare foot carefully stand up aloowing stuff to spread around then leave to cure for a day or so. Reckon would be worth trying on work shoes before wasting my runners:)

I have spent the +300e on orthotics before and want to try cheaper alternatives first before being sure that they would work but foam versions sound like they may be more comfortable alright

Silicone wouldn't be stable enough.

huskerdu

Have you tried off the shelf orthotics first to see if they help ?

I would pay 30 quid before I'd start messing with silicone and shoes.

Clearlier

Soilse wrote: »

As per title has anyone ever tried this? Was thinking of using silicone, is it a mad idea?

Or even better anyone ditched the orthotics, gone barefoot running and living happy ever after?

Would really appreciate any thoughts on this orthotics are expensive, tried them a few years ago they didnt work and dont want to waste money again on bits of plastic that were never going to work anyway.

Thanks

It does seem a bit mad if you don't know what you're doing. There are guys out there claiming to make customised orthotics who spent a week or two learning how to sell a pretty generic product. They charge €300+ and fail to help most people in my experience. You'll find them (sometimes more than one company) at all of the expos and not just the running ones either.

There are also people out there who have degrees in the area having spent 4 years studying. They also charge €300+. They'll typically have their own clinics which you visit and return to as many times as you need to in order to get the orthotics right for you. They are orthotists or podiatrists.

The 3rd group of people will be professionals in other fields - physios are a classic although occupational therapists and I suspect other professions dabble in them too. Most (though not all) of these will resell products from a company that's a bit like the first group mentioned. The professional status of these people will give the orthotic a veneer of respectability that frankly makes it difficult for the layman to distinguish between the service they provide and that provided by an orthotist/podiatrist. They also charge €300+

The final alternative is off the shelf insoles. Some of these will be in a packet that you pick up off the shelf and pay for at the counter, the more sophisticated will have a scanning machine that will recommend the best of their various options for you. These type are significantly cheaper usually < €100.

I've tried all 4 of these options with varying results.

I had about 3 goes from guys flogging a generic product. Two were absolutely useless, 1 helped a very little.

The first podiatrist I went to insisted on soft insoles which just didn't work. The orthotist that I finally went to gave me hard ones which have pretty much solved my problem. The heels do wear out after a couple of years and I've found a podiatrist over here who'll replace them but remarkably also insists on using softish materials which simply don't last as long.

Two physios got my hopes up but ultimately didn't know what they were talking about.

I tried several off the shelf products - one of which helped a tiny bit, the rest of which were a waste of time and money.

I didn't intend for this to turn into a "Guide to orthotics" and it should be remembered that I'm just a user. Hope it's useful to you though.

tunney wrote: »

Unlikely to have been related to the "orthotics". Orthotics have been proved to be only useful for below the knee issues.

Haven't heard that before although it rings true to me. It's worth nothing though that the wrong orthotics can cause issues both below and above the knee.

Oryx

Not running related, but my mum got orthotics from a guy a few years ago. She had a problem with her feet that meant intense pain while walking, it had got to the point she couldnt stay on her feet any length and couldnt walk any reasonable distance. I was skeptical when she shelled out over 300 for the orthotics, but they worked. As long as she wears them, no pain. Ten minutes on her feet without them, and she is in agony again. They are a bit of a mini miracle for her.

Just mentioning, because they are not all snake oil. They can work for some problems.

How in gods name could you consider making your own when you dont know what shape to make them?

dahat

thirstywork2 wrote: »

Having tried 3 differn't types I am currently wearing a foam based orthotic from wellshod in Kildare.Guy called Michael Davis.
Will let you know in 6 months how I get on but have had soem good reports from many runners who are using them.

regards making your own :eek:

Have an appt with this guy in December,how did you find him?
Put a thread up here about him but got zero replies....
Have you used them much?

Murta

dahat wrote: »

Have an appt with this guy in December,how did you find him?
Put a thread up here about him but got zero replies....
Have you used them much?

RunIreland have a thread on him that you may find useful.
http://www.runireland.com/forums/running-talk/general-talk/some-advice-orthotic-insoles

thirstywork2

dahat wrote: »

Have an appt with this guy in December,how did you find him?
Put a thread up here about him but got zero replies....
Have you used them much?

Found him very helpfull and straight to the point.
Only problem you might have is finding footwear that suits the insole as they are very chunky.drop me a pm is you want to ask any questions.

dna_leri

When I was recommended orthotics by my physio a few years ago, I got these instead and still use them: http://www.yoursole.com/products/footbeds/thin/sport/

Making your own is not that daft, there is a guy (osteopath?) in Sligo who does them for around €50 - I know it has worked for some.
See http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055711347

smmoore79

Got insoles from this site. Theres a lot of waffle on the site but they were cheap enough so bought a pair. They seem to be doing the trick as I haven't been sidelined in a good while..

http://www.troo-step-insoles.co.uk/

dahat

siooo88 wrote: »

Certain Elverys stores make custom-made Footbalance insoles instore, they cost €45-€50 depending on the style of shoe you want to put them in. They also come with a 30 day money back guarantee, so if you try them and they work for you, happy days, if not, you get a full refund!! Just another option, not all custom made insoles cost €300+...

Alot of injuries can happen in 30 days from poorly fitted orthotics.

G-Money

The sports therapist guy I've been to in the past is iffy about orthotics. He was saying that quite often, you can just buy off the shelf ones for €60 that will do just as good a job as the type that cost €250-€300. I can't remember exactly that the type of orthotics are, but he was saying those type that you just put your feet into foam and they make a mould from it aren't that good. He was saying for orthotics to be any use, they need to take into account how your feet move, land, walk etc and you can't determine that by standing still and an imprint being made of your feet.

He says when someone really needs good orthotics, he recommends a guy in Belgium. He says this guys scans your feet, and does all sorts of other scans on your body and spine and analyses how your feet move and everything and then builds you two pairs of orthotics for a total of €400.

As for making them yourself, I remember him telling me he's seen people just make them out of rolled up newspaper or cardboard formed into the necessary shape, but I don't think he was suggesting I try making those. I know a different physio guy who said I could probably do with orthotics but I took what he said with a pinch of salt as he makes them, whereas the other guy doesn't.

thirstywork2

siooo88 wrote: »

I'm sure there are..but just from my own experience with them, and couple of friends and family members that have bought them, no bad side effects have occurred from them and they have helped me with a knee injury I was suffering with during the summer when training for the Dublin marathon.

Just suggesting an alternative option for people that don't want to spend €300+ on orthotics.

This wouldn't be another plug from an Elvery's staff member :rolleyes:

menoscemo

thirstywork2 wrote: »

This wouldn't be another plug from an Elvery's staff member :rolleyes:

The post history looks very suspicious alright, the store in suffolk street seems to be very popular with the poster