What type of orthotic do you wear? (Read 1162 times)

I was wondering, if you wear orthotics, what kind do you wear? Hard/semi-hard/soft? I have the very rigid, will last till the end of time type. They have gotten to the point where I can't even wear them to walk in, let alone run in. My foot doc. just puts them up to my foot and says, "Well, they fit fine." Hmmm... I have an appointment to see a new foot doc next week. Just wondering what "runners" are wearing.

I use an orthotic from a pedorthist that works in a sports clinic. The orthotic is slightly stiffer than the insole that goes in the shoe. I can't feel it at all. It looks like a neoprene - type material only a bit more dense.

I have the rigid kind, 3/4 length. They're tucked in under the insole of the shoe, and I don't feel them at all.

You can wear your sockliner WITH your orthotics? That's a lot of stuff in your shoes. I wear the full length rigid kind. My main issue is arch support and softer orthotics don't offer enough. Mine have never caused problems, except if they don't sit quite right in my shoes they'll sqeak a little when I walk. Even when they do that, they still work fine I don't feel them. Have you taken time to break yours in yet? For some people that takes a while.

Custom 3/4 length rigid orthotics that I wear on top sock liner (saves time when changing shoes). It embeds itself into the heel of the sockliner so it doesn't stick up that much after 20+ miles. My sock liner actually has some absorbing power in the forefoot area, and the inside of the shoe isn't the smoothest. I've found it also keeps the knob on outside of ankle from hitting top of shoe on some models. I had considered / tried some other options and when folks at shoe stores (like REI, ie not necessarily the greatest, but some random ones are better than others) looked at my orthotics, they said, yea, I should stick with custom ones and my feet probably wouldn't work with generic orthotics. That said, they were made by a podiatrist, but when my AT recurred, a PT I found suggested that those orthotics aren't helping where I need the most help in the forefoot area. However, we seem to have resolved many of the problems through foot / ankle strengthening exercises. If I were to get another pair, I'd look into full length ones - both for my forefoot issues, but also making it easier to put boots on (3/4 length ones slide forward).

My orthotic is about 1/2 to 3/4 length of my insole. It's very rigid. I pulled out the insoles of my runners and cut them off where the orthotic starts. Therefore, I have the orthotic directly under my heel and arch then the cushy insole under the balls of my feet and toes. There is no overlap between the two. Hope that makes sense. I was sidelined for a VERY VERY long time with severe PF in both feet. That's why I stopped running 10 years ago and gained all this weight. I will never run or walk (as in a work-out walk) or do weights without my orthotics. I cannot go through that kind of pain or rehab again. Get a podiatrist you're comfortable with who will listen to you. Anecdotal evidence: I few months back I asked the lady at the shop where I buy my runners if she gets a lot of people in who wear orthotics. she said she did, especially runners. I told her I was considering trying soft inserts instead of rigid. She said that the vast majority of complaints from runnerns were about soft and not rigid orthotics. Hmmm. Maybe something to consider. Good Luck.

I got prescribed custom orthotics last year and never ever could get past 1 mile running in them without agonizing pain. Did the wear them in increasing increments, wear them walking and then after a few weeks of breaking in tried running...agony. $500 down the drain.

I got prescribed custom orthotics last year and never ever could get past 1 mile running in them without agonizing pain. Did the wear them in increasing increments, wear them walking and then after a few weeks of breaking in tried running...agony. $500 down the drain.

You need to take them back and get them adjusted!! They should be guaranteed!!

I got custom orthotics in February after a case of severe tibial tendonitis in both legs. They have a slight cushion, but not much. They are full length for running and 3/4 length and thinner for dress shoes. I now wear shoes all the time and haven't had any more trouble. Actually, shoes are comfortable for the first time in my life!