Please Read if You Wear Orthotics

aveggiegirl

aveggiegirl

Cathlete
I"ve had my orthotics since March. My feet still get very tired and ache about half way through the day. However, when I wear my Birkenstocks my feet NEVER hurt. I don't have a problem wearing my Birkenstock sandals now that it is June, but I thought my orthotics were going to make my feet feel better in my shoes (running shoes with athletic orthotics, by the way).

Do you love your orthotics? Do you think my orthotics weren't made correctly or do I just have to accept the fact that my feet are always going to hurt? Why do my $70 Birkenstocks feel so much better than my $400 orthotics?

Please answer.
 
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Hi there!

I absolutely could not live comfortably without my orthotics. I'm curious, how did they fit you? Was it while you were sitting down and they put a plaster mold on your foot or did you do the walking on the pad for an image impression. The reason I ask is that I also shelled out a ton of money for orthotics using the plaster method and ended up with constantly spraining my ankles and my feet hurting. Those were 3/4 length orthotics. I guess I complained too late because that office wouldn't fix it. I should have known to just walk out the door when their office smelled like dirty feet!!! Gag!:eek:

After recovering from three months of foot and ankle injuries, I found an excellent Foot and Ankle doctor who evaluated my feet and my activities thoroughly. He also did the pad-method. Those orthotics have totally saved not just my feet and andkles, but also my knees, hips, back, etc..

Mine cost about the same as yours, but it was soooo worth it- better than joint-replacement surgery!

Pam
 
I had PF so bad that it required surgery. The first podiatrist I went to gave me cortisone shots and then had orthotics made using the plaster method that Pam mentioned. My problem never even improved.

I eventually went to a different (and better) podiatrist who operated on my foot. After the surgery my foot didn't get all of the way better until I got my orthotics wet while on vacation. They smelled so bad that I quit wearing them and within a couple of days my foot felt so much better. When I got home I began wearing them again and my foot started to hurt! I have not worn them since and my foot feels awesome while I've been increasing my running mileage.

I'm dealing with PF in the non-surgery foot now and my better podiatrist is having new orthotics made using the foot impression method that Pam says worked for her.

I wear Birkenstocks sandals too and love them.
 
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I cannot live without my orthotics!

Every day I am grateful for my orthotics. Over a period of about 2 years, I developed 4 different stress fractures from running. With the first 3 stress fractures, my podiatrist made me wear a bootie on the injured foot until it healed. With fracture #4, I found myself a new--and MUCH better--podiatrist who recommended custom made orthotics because I have VERY high arches. I have not had one single foot injury in the 7 years since (knock on wood). My doctor used the plaster method and it seemed to work fine for me.

Even though I *love* my orthotics, I only wear them when I workout so I don't know how my feet would feel if I was in them all day. They are just fine when I workout, though. But I have learned that I must try on athletic shoes with the orthotics before I buy them. This is not very convenient because I can't buy athletic shoes online without having tried them on in the store. Also, I tend to have to buy the bulkier running shoes with a bigger toe box. So maybe experimenting with different running shoes will help you with your discomfort?

Why did you get the orthotics in the first place? Were you getting injured? Maybe you don't "need" these types of orthotics? I don't know your situation, but maybe you would do just as well with an over the counter style of orthotics for your running shoes? They shouldn't hurt your feet like they seem to be doing!
 
Honestly, I cannot live without my orthotics at this point. Yes, if I'm standing for more than 8+ hrs straight, I feel pain sometimes but nothing like having to quit halfway through the day and not being able to do high impact exercise. I got lucky with price though -- I went through my school and it only cost me $175.

I would suggest that you try on different shoes -- I still use cross trainers for side to side action and running shoes for heel-toe strike. I had the plaster thing the others did as well.

I did have to get my orthotics replaced after the first couple months actually. It started hurting in the ball of my foot. I went up to the people and said, "huh?" and they told me that wasn't supposed to happen and they covered a replacement under the warranty. No problems for 9+ months since the new ones. I would go and talk to your doctor/PT and just tell them, hey, they're not working and get a replacement.
 
My podiatrist recommended orthotics several months ago but I didn't want to spend the money and wanted to try PT and other approaches. Since then I've found my fit flops make my feet feel better than any other shoe including the running store inserts I bought.

I think podiatrists tend toward orthotics because that is what they know (it's their hammer so everything looks like a nail if you know what I mean). Sometimes it is the right answer, but not always.
 
I have had orthotic nightmares too. I have had plaster cast and the method where you push your foot in foam. They were a nightmare. My feet hurt so bad I could hardly walk the entire time I had them. I finally found a product called Arch Molds. You heat them up in your oven and mold them to your feet. They are the best things I have found. They aren't prefect and my feet are still sore, but they are the best I have found.

Good luck.

Shayne
 
Thank you everybody for your responses. My orthotics were made by the podiatrist putting my feet into foam (that's what it looked and felt like to me).

Lisa, you mentioned having to try on the shoes with your orthotics. That's a good idea. I have discovered that when my feet hurt with one pair of runners I can put the orthotics into a different runner and my feet feel better. I am constantly changing shoes and usually bring extra shoes to work because I end up switching. Now I'm wondering if it is the shoe and not the orthotic.

Shayne, are the Arch Molds for athletic shoes or "regular" shoes? I would love to wear really pretty shoes to work for a change.

Cindi, thanks for letting me know about the fit flops. I'll look into those. Have you tried Birkenstocks? I LOVE mine. However, I really don't like the look of them at all. BUT my feet are HaPpY in them and my feet never hurt.

hottiescientist, I didn't realize there was a warranty on the orthotics. I'll call the office and see what they say. I wish I didn't have to go back to this podiatrist, though. I didn't like him at all. That's another story for another time.

ToughYrun, sorry about your bad experience.:( Good luck. I also have PF but the stretching has helped.

Pam, I would love to go to another doctor. All mine did was take x-rays and tell me I had flat feet. Then he made the impressions of my feet. If I could afford to go to another doctor now I would. I'm glad your problem is better!

Thanks again everyone!
 
I've never tried Birkenstocks but another runner friend of mine swears by them too. I will definitely be trying them.

Fitflops make a lot of really cute sandals and ugg style books for winter. Another company makes a similar style (I think it is sketchers) but I tried them on and they did not feel nearly as good as the fitflop so I think they worth the price difference. I'm on my third summer with mine and they still look good.
 
aveggiegirl - the Archmolds fit in fully enclosed shoes. I know what you mean about wanting cute shoes. I have been wearing tennies every day for a couple of years. This spring I found a brand called Abeo at The Walking Company, www.walkingcompany.com. They are thongs that come with an orthotic built in. They come in neutral or posted. I have a fairly high arch and they fit really well. They are expensive, but to actually wear some sort of sandal this summer without pain, it is worth it.
 
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