Forums > Health and Nutrition > Orthotics
I'm flat-footed and wore prescription orthotics for a little bit but eventually quit doing so. I simply hated the way they felt in shoes, etc. Started running in 2008, running over 500 miles and did over 1000 happy miles in 2009. In 2010, the wheels fell off the wagon.
In February I had a right ankle stress fracture. In September I had a left ankle stress fracture.
Given I'm only 34 with a family history of bone issues, the doc had me do a bone density test and all was fine and normal. Just to be safe, he told me to take extra calcium and vitamin D (OTC) each day.
He also sent me to the podiatrist.
After getting the original scolding about wearing my orthotics, I was told to wear the old ones I had for the next month. 10 days in the right orthotic literally cracked in half right across the arch. I went to the podiatrist's office - he was out but I was told I'd get new orthotics (obviously).
I picked up my new orthotics last night - they only made 1 - to replace the broken one. So my right foot is in a brand spanking new orthotic and my left foot is in an old orthotic. Feels totally different between the feet and almost weird in terms of balance. Is that normal? I'd have thought this was done in pairs, but when I asked the nurse looked at me like I was crazy.
I get to see the podiatrist in 2 weeks to have a check up, but just wondered how common this was. We only have one podiatrist in town, so this is "it" in terms of my coverage. However, being somewhat informed is always a plus.
Thanks!
Kerry
HF #1048
Every day I'm shuffling....
Please tell me if you are wearing orthotics that they originally took a mold of both feet. Each foot is different. I wore orthotics for seven years, just in my running shoes but I no longer need them.
Yes, I have molds of both feet.
Old, Slow, Happy
I have "the flatest feet" my physical therapist has ever seen. Some people flat-footed like and need orthotics and some flat-footed people don't need them. One thing is: I would go see a physical therapist than understands running rather than a podiatrist. I know several people whose experience with podiatrists was terrible. If there is a Gary Gray Physical Therapy location near you, that would be a good place to start. I know there are some in the Chicago area.
I got orthotics two years ago. I wore them always: at work, running, for dress, etc. This year I have been weening off. I started running in Newton Gravity shoes. They help me run with a mid-foot strike rather than a heel strike. I use my orthotics in the shoes. I just recently added a pair of Brooks Green Silence shoes to my rotation. I do not use my orthotics in them. I am find less need for orthotics while running. I think I still need them for work, etc. I look for shoes with less height different between the heel and toe. That seems to help.
I know---long winded. Sorry. Anyway, I really think you need to experiment for yourself. One thing though: if you orthotics are hard, inflexible, and/or have a built in "corrective" arch, throw them away!! Your orthotics should be flexible and flat (soft). They should not be trying to "correct" your flat-footedness. They should be a relatively flat plarform for your foot to land on.
Giddyup.
So it is true that flattest feet mean large richard.
Ultima tastes like failure.
That is an absolute.
I'm not sure which came first: flat feet or large richard.
I'll check with my mother.
Ha.
I have flat feet and have never used othotics...until this summer. I ran a 5k on a hilly concrete path and ended up with PF. Then, becaue I am a genius, I decided to run another 5k 30 days later even though I was limping when I walked. 2 miles in I ended up with a partial tear in the Plantar Fascia. That led me to a real find. I found a sports podiatrist that is a marathoner. Here's a link to her website:
http://www.faant.com/default.aspx
There's a lot of good info there, although you have to do some hunting around to find it all. Go to the patient info section. She has a lot of running and foot health advice.
She put me into some running orthotics and I have found them to be fairly comfortable.
Hope this helps!
-jc
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