Orthotics yes or no? (Read 82 times)

My opinions based on personal experience and reading many other people's anecdotes:

No; with an exception.

Using orthotics or "special" shoes like a bandaid until the damage heals is the exception. And, you don't need high-dollar "custom" insoles no matter how much the person selling them says you do. The human foot is the result of millions of years of evolution, and that did not arrive at a design that is not functional unless it has artificial restrictions on it's movement.

Once you're running with acceptable discomfort and not getting worse, wean yourself off the orthotics/insoles.

Shoe wear patterns will show you whether a stability or motion control shoe might help with overuse injuries, but the vast majority of runners are better off with neutral shoes. If you have extreme pronation and ankle movement, then yeah, try some stability shoes!

My experiences, which are mine alone and not applicable to everyone and anyone:

PF; I used the most cushioned shoes I could get at the time (Hoka Stinson ATR) with rigid high arch insoles (Sole Karnazes model) and that allowed me to continue to put in some miles while the PF healed. After a month or more, the rigid insoles hurt more than the PF so I used them less and less. The arch is SUPPOSED to flex, it's like a leaf spring in your foot. Wearing Strutz padded arch bands (not running) helped reduce pain a lot. They were too thick to wear running; the thickness hurt more than the PF.

Achilles; off and on for almost 10 years now. I have yet to discover a shoe or insole that reduces pain much while running when it flares up. Changing gait to shorter strides and slower pace helps, as do days off. It takes time to heal up and the best you can do is find a way to get in miles while not making it worse. I found that eccentric heal drops DO help, but I forget to do them when I'm NOT hurt! Some people have been able to totally recover from achilles issues via boatloads of eccentric heal drops, 250-400 a day, often with extra weight. I'm on that schedule now, and sticking to it even when NOT hurt, to see if it will work for me.

I don't think everyone needs orthotics but it can benefit some. Back in the early 90s when in fitness industry I was very active teaching classes and running. My bunion pain was throbbing and shin splints were chronic for 3 years. I went to podiatrist and said, "I want and need orthotics". He said your foot looks and acts normal and was reluctant to just give them to me. He wrapped up my foot to simulate what an orthotic would do for me and told me to go teach my class that involved running, stairs, jump roping, sprints etc. It truely was a life changing moment for me because both my bunion and shin pain was minimized significantly in that class. I got fitted. Within 6 weeks my shin pain was virtually gone,  bunion union pain controlled as well.  I have now worn orthotics nearly 30 years and have still have my bunion (no pain) and shins have not bothered me since.

I work with podiatrists and one recommended this company. I have used them over the last 7 years and love them. I now have 3 sets from them and rotate and they have refurbished once. Mine are made from cork (so light-ask them about that) for running and my adjustment time was zero.

https://www.footdynamics.com/custom-orthotics-for-runners/

https://www.footdynamics.com/product/running-orthotics/

https://www.footdynamics.com/shop-online/free-foot-evaluation/

I would also assume you are doing hip/glute and foot strength and mobility work. This is part of proper foot/ankle function and strength.

 

 I would also assume you are doing hip/glute and foot strength and mobility work. This is part of proper foot/ankle function and strength.

Unfortunately I really was not doing any lower body strength and mobility work. I literally just started to do some exercises so I am optimistic these will have an impact. I'll check the foot dynamics site too.Thanks

def depends on the individual, i was having some issues  and went to the podiatrist and got a gait analysis done, turns out i am quite over pronated, the orthotics really helped me with a range of issues i was having, was the best thing i could have done.

unless you have major issues you probably don't need orthotics, but i would invest in seeing a podiatrist before rushing out and trying some stability shoes or off the shelf orthotics