Custom Orthotics

[944fan]

Anyone had these made?

Had a running injury and the physio says I have the flatest feet he has ever seen

Booked in to have some temporary orthotics made and if they work will have to get some specifically made, to the tune of £300!

[Z4monster]

I have some shaped insoles from Sweatshop which are very good.(I'm not sure what difference would be to orthotics) They help massively with my pronation on my heels which was rolling my foot inwards.
They were £45 rather than £300. Not sure if they would be suitable for you but have really helped me.

[gjf764]

I had some made about 6 months ago. Had some problems with arthritic big toes and the orthotics have really helped me to continue playing rugby and running around.

[944fan]

I wondered if I could get away with off the shelf kit but it sounds like my feet or so bad they need to be custom made.

I will wait and see what the podiatrist says.

[Pickled Piper]

That is quite high for custom orthotics. I recall I paid somewhat less, from memory about half that.

Keep in mind that they do last a long time. Ten years plus, I wsa told.

pp

[944fan]

That's interesting that they are available more cheaply. I will shop around once I know what I am looking for.

Initially they are making up some temporary ones which is only costing £15.

[Pickled Piper]

Temporary ones are usually just an insole with bits of foam rubber stuck to it. They do work well and last a surprisingly long time.

The full monty ones are carbon fibre moulded to the shape of your foot.

pp

[JQ]

Find out if there's a uni/hospital near you that does a Podiatry Degree. My wife is currently finishing the 2nd year of hers and they treat genuine patients several days a week. I have several pairs of custom orthotics in the wardrobe as she practices on me. I've no doubt they'd make a pair for you and the students tend to spend alot longer making them to ensure they're perfect.

Alternatively, if you're ever in Manchester no doubt she could get you an appointment where she is.

ps - cheers for the great news - looks like we'll be starting a Custom Orthotics busniess once she qualifies if that's the going rate.

[Rico]

How do you currently run?

Forefoot/Barefoot/Minimalist running can strengthen the arch and often increase the height of the arch.

Good article - http://xeroshoes.com/flat-feet-high-arches-and-run...

[sawman]

if £300 includes the casting, fitting and review then its a decent price. I used to provide the best quality carbon fibre orthotics for about that including those appointments over 5 years ago - they weren't cheap but the highest quality at the time. These days the market is probably more competitive, as everyman and his dog is trying to flog them. unfortunately this can mean that quality of prescription and fabrication can suffer...

[BliarOut]

I got mine (it's just a raise) free on the NHS?

[JQ]

JQ said:

Find out if there's a uni/hospital near you that does a Podiatry Degree. My wife is currently finishing the 2nd year of hers and they treat genuine patients several days a week. I have several pairs of custom orthotics in the wardrobe as she practices on me. I've no doubt they'd make a pair for you and the students tend to spend alot longer making them to ensure they're perfect.

Alternatively, if you're ever in Manchester no doubt she could get you an appointment where she is.

ps - cheers for the great news - looks like we'll be starting a Custom Orthotics business once she qualifies if that's the going rate.

Wife has just confirmed £300 is not unreasonable. At uni they'd charge £60 for the same.

[Kiltie]

I've just paid £150 per foot.

Superb - absolutely superb.

I think worth every penny.

Cheers,

Eric

[944fan]

There is another place in MK which is doing them for £240, which is a bit cheaper.

Guess I will see how good the temporary ones are.

I am enjoying cycling so much at the minute that I would rather spend £300 on another bike right now

[74merc]

If your feet are really flat, you should really be wearing them all the time. I'd spend the money on the orthodics.

[Parsnip]

I have a pair of custom ones that I wear in all of my shoes (same story, flat feet) - originally got them through the NHS for free, but it took an age. The current set I got through my health insurance, so no real idea of the cost, but all I know is that they work.

In my running shoes, I don't wear them. A. Because they are rigid to provide support and B. I found I don't need them.

What shoes are you running in?

I went for years trying various combinations of off the shelf shoes and insoles, but in the end, I settled with a pair of good, supportive ones (Brooks Adrenaline GTS's) that I run in with no additional insole - they have got me through plenty of races (inc. 3 marathons) with no complaints.

I would firmly reccomend custom insoles for your day to day shoes (if your feet are as flat as mine, they make a hell of a difference) and playing around to see what best suits you for your runners - go into a shop (not JJB or the like) and spend the time trying some on, ideally a little run on a treadmill aswell to get the right pair and talk to someone who knows running.

[944fan]

Currently wearing Saucony Progrid Omni's which are utter ste. Blistered my feet and are rubbish. Previously I had Saucony Hurricanes which were good until my massive weight destroyed them!

Both are considered support shoes for mild over pronators. Wondering if I need motion control shoes instead?

[Parsnip]

944fan said:

Currently wearing Saucony Progrid Omni's which are utter ste. Blistered my feet and are rubbish. Previously I had Saucony Hurricanes which were good until my massive weight destroyed them!

Both are considered support shoes for mild over pronators. Wondering if I need motion control shoes instead?

Perhaps. Also remember that not all brands and levels of support are the same.

Adidas - I can't wear them, the tounge just feels all wrong and they hurt my feet
Nike - don't like em, comfy, but just don't like them
Mizuno - used them for a few years - over longer distances I got hotspots and blisters
New Balance - Comfy, ok to run in, only had one pair ever though, would maybe try them again
Brooks - I love 'em, tried the Adrenalines on and have never looked back - have done plenty of no socks running and thousands of miles in them (more than 1 pair )

All of the above I would go for "motion control" or "supportive" but not all worked for me - not all had the same levels of support or fit - try a few on, spend a good hour in the shop, ignore the price and listen to advice - you may not get it right on the first go, but one you settle on a pair you like, stick with them. Who knows, you might just not have Saucony feet Going with insoles in your running shoe is something I dabbled with, but I never got it quite right - will work for some, but IMO, the best way is to find a shoe that works for you and go with that, rather than a compromise of a shoe that nearly works and a bit of foam from a shelf.

[944fan]

Thanks for the tips. A lot of people on the interweb recommend Brooks Beasts for flat feet. They are supposedly particularly good for the larger chap (currently 18 stone).

Going to go to sweatshop and see what they say.

[sawman]

944fan said:

Thanks for the tips. A lot of people on the interweb recommend Brooks Beasts for flat feet. They are supposedly particularly good for the larger chap (currently 18 stone).

Going to go to sweatshop and see what they say.

these are good, but try New balance 576/577 a classic stability shoe for the more powerfully built gent

Shoes are a bit of a minefield, as there are so many options so to a decent shop where they know what they are up to - if you have flat feet, you will often find a neutral last shoes will be more comfortable, also I would go for stability rather than motion control if you are getting orthotics and make sure there are removable insoles in so you can whip them out when you put your orthotics in

Edited by sawman on Saturday 4th May 21:10