orthotic insoles

[momz]

I know there is a multitude of reasons to use custom made orthotics. I am getting some because of a broken bone in my foot that hasn't healed in 2 1/2 years as well as a problem with Achilles tendonitis.

My insurance doesn't cover these. And the cost is nearly $300. I am getting them, but I am skeptical of the benefits.

I really don't see how they will make a difference with the bone issue, but I think perhaps it may be beneficial for the tendonitis.

I'm wondering if any of you have had experience with custom made insoles and if you can advise me on the outcome of using them.

 

[Turn the Page]

I got some a few months ago. I don't have the same problems you have, I have back problems, but I think they have really helped.

I recently switched my summer shoes out for my cozier winter shoes and forgot to switch the insoles and holy wah, just wearing those shoes with the old inserts for a couple of hours and I could really tell the difference in my lower back. I couldn't believe it.

I imagine everyone is different but I feel they are very beneficial for me.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have PF and Morton's neuroma. The orthotics takes the pressure off my foot in such a way that I can be pain free.

That means that you have to wear shoes for them to work.

Once you get your orthotics, get yourself to a Brown Shoe or other shoe store with a certified pedorthist on staff. (PE-DOR-THIST)

Good shoes are a must with a foot issue. Get fitted properly with a pedorthist. I go to a local Brown Shoe here.

 

[Sadie22]

Have you talked to your insurance company? Don't take the provider's word that these are not covered. Your provider may need to send records to the insurance company, or the diagnosis may have been improperly coded.

 

[DLgal]

I spent close to $300 on custom insoles for PF and weak ankles that caused pronation. They didn't do squat, and actually ended up causing MORE pain because they were so hard. I have tender feet, I guess. The bottoms of my feet felt bruised after using them. Waste of money.

 

[Jaya]

I use Powerstep ProTech orthotics. They're not custom but they worked very well for my PF. I get them from the podiatrist's office but you can order them on Amazon or directly from the makers. They're about $40 but worth every penny.

 

[Blackadder337]

My wife has PF and if she doesn't wear her orthotics, she can only wear whatever shoes and walk for short periods of time... like an hour or two tops. If she wears her orthotics she keeps going, and going and going

She CAN wear slippers if they have quality memory foam in the bottom though. And she can walk barefoot in the sand.

But I would say that her orthotics DEFINITELY make a huge difference, but like others have said, I'm sure they work differently for each person.

 

[Procrastinate]

I have PF. I got my first set of orthotics from my orthopedic surgeon. I believe they were about $70. I thought they were prescription and that insurance would pay. It turns out they were considered OTC so insurance did not pay. When they wore out and I needed new ones, I went to Target and bought inexpensive inserts made for PF. They worked just as well and have lasted as long or longer. For me, orthotics are necessary or my feet really start hurting.

 

[MattsPrincess]

I'm torn. I know they CAN work, but I think it really depends on where you go and why you need them.

I worked at one of those speciality "we focus on foot health" type shoe stores. It was awful. People came back in all the time to either return their orthotic, or over and over again for a little adjustment here, change there, etc. They say they have trained/certified pedorthists on staff, and they may, but odds are not every employee is. Of the 5 of us on staff, only one was. Our "training" for fitting people into these things was limited and taught us nothing but how to measure shoe size, look for calluses and bunions, and point out color differences in a pressure map. We were highly encouraged to pressure people into spending way more than they really needed under the guise of "knowing better" and "wanting to help them"

On the other hand, most doctors aren't certified pedorthists either, and a lot of people came into the store with very poorly fitted orthotics from their doctor/podiatrist.

I pronate really badly on one side, and have a bad knee and a bad ankle. I used a Dr Scholls from Target with a lot of success. I also started wearing Sketchers Go Walks (which my shoe store boss often scolded customers for wearing since they are "the worst shoes in the world for humans"), and I love them. I'm on feet all day at work and have very little pain.

Long story short, I would personally try going down other avenues first, before dropping that kind of money. Insurance companies (generally) really don't cover them unless there is a serious deformity or something, and even then they are painfully meticulous about the paperwork and will deny over any little thing, even a misspelled word. (seen it happen personally!)

 

[monsterkitty]

I had foot and ankle surgery about 5 years ago and like you, the bone in my foot didn't heal properly. I also have an excess of scar tissue from the surgery that causes the tendon that was restructured during the surgery to now take a different track around the scar tissue. I will end up having surgery again at some point for a tendon transplant but there isn't much they can do for the bone. I also have nerve pain caused by the damage. On a bad day it feels like a sledge hammer is hitting my foot with each step I take. These days are usually after I haven't worn the inserts for some reason.

I had custom orthotics made after my surgery by a physical therapist. He took a plaster mold of both of my feet to make the inserts. If I wear shoes without the inserts it's not pretty. When I go to buy new shoes I always make sure the inserts fit the shoes before purchasing. The only shoes I don't do this for is my Hoka One One running shoes, but I still wear an insert, just not my custom insert.

If you do get inserts you have to break them in. The PT who made mine suggested only wearing them for an hour the first day and then increasing the time each day. By the end of the first week I was wearing them with no problems. I know $300 is a lot of money, but once you get used to the inserts it will be worth every cent.

 

[indygirl99]

I am another fan of the custom inserts.

I am a nurse and work 12 hr shifts walking ALOT on concrete floors. I also have had Achilles tendon repair and plantar fasciitis.

I can't work without my inserts. Insurance would not pay for them but did allow me to claim them on my flex spending.

I am also a runner and had inserts made by a running company for my running shoes. Best way to run and not be dead at the end of a marathon.

 

[tasha99]

I had inserts made a couple years ago, and they eliminated most of my back pain. Also, the soles of my shoes used to wear unevenly so my shoes never lasted (the outer edges wore down, so my feet ended up angled in them). That had stopped with the orthotics.

 

[dotfurio]

DH has custom orthotics for plantar fasciitis. They really help him with that, and if he goes more than a few days without wearing them his feet start hurting again.

 

[Lynne M]

I really don't see how they will make a difference with the bone issue, but I think perhaps it may be beneficial for the tendonitis.

Part of what orthotics do is align the foot properly, so the stresses of standing, walking and moving are carried on the structures that are meant to support that. It's possible that part of the reason your bone isn't healing is that there's stress on it, and the doctor is trying to correct that with the orthotic.

I have pain from PF and overpronation, and I just tried some cheap store-bought orthotics. The difference is remarkable, so much so that I'm thinking of going to see a podiatrist and getting real orthotics. And it's all in the alignment. Once I broke them in (again, you have to start slowly and build up), the only way I can describe it is that my feet suddenly felt 'right'. Everything relaxed. No feeling of strain or tiredness in my feet, legs, knees, hips. Just comfort.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I have mixed feelings. I spent $$$ for custom inserts for over-pronation due to joint-hypermobility. While they do help with the over-pronation, they cause my toes to go numb in some shoes, and they are breaking down very quickly because I have very strong feet. I've gotten the same results buying sneakers made for stability so I don't think I'm going to buy another pair of custom inserts.

 

[7165red]

I spent close to $300 on custom insoles for PF and weak ankles that caused pronation. They didn't do squat, and actually ended up causing MORE pain because they were so hard. I have tender feet, I guess. The bottoms of my feet felt bruised after using them. Waste of money.

then same the same thing happened to me.

 

[momz]

Well, I got my orthotics on Friday. Wore them quite a bit in my tennis shoes over the weekend and while they were uncomfortable, I could tell they were taking the pressure off of the painful spots. However, yesterday I put them in my hiking boots (this is what I can wear at work and not get frowned upon...wear them with khakis). I was in so much pain by the end of the day! I think they caused these shoes to be tighter and squeeze my foot. I took them out for today.

Also, got a call from my podiatrist yesterday with results of my MRI that was done last week. Turns out he feels I need to have the broken bone removed as it is gapped too wide and will never heal (it's been a couple years already). Also says it is causing arthritis in the joint, so is better to remove it.

I posted another thread today related to this...concerning insurance coverage and make ahead meals for the time I am unable to walk.

So very discouraged.

 

[anniemae]

Well, I got my orthotics on Friday. Wore them quite a bit in my tennis shoes over the weekend and while they were uncomfortable, I could tell they were taking the pressure off of the painful spots. However, yesterday I put them in my hiking boots (this is what I can wear at work and not get frowned upon...wear them with khakis). I was in so much pain by the end of the day! I think they caused these shoes to be tighter and squeeze my foot. I took them out for today.

Also, got a call from my podiatrist yesterday with results of my MRI that was done last week. Turns out he feels I need to have the broken bone removed as it is gapped too wide and will never heal (it's been a couple years already). Also says it is causing arthritis in the joint, so is better to remove it.

I posted another thread today related to this...concerning insurance coverage and make ahead meals for the time I am unable to walk.

So very discouraged.

Not sure if you should wear orthotics with tennis shoes. You need a good quality shoe, not a flimsy tennis shoe with no support. New Balance sneakers are good and known for support. Also, you need to go up a size or a half size to accommodate the insert, at least that is what I found for myself. If I do my normal size, which it 8, my foot is pinched and in pain once the insert is in. I go up to an 8 1/2 or 9 and it fits.

 

[Wishing on a star]

My son has mostly flat feet.
He wears his good arch support inserts in his Under Armour athletic shoes.
Works great. I can tell a visible difference in his ankles and legs when he is wearing the needed arch supports.

I wear a heel lift in my athletic shoes. (not possible with some dress shoes/sandals... but I do not wear these that often.)
Again, works great.

PS: I guess I am not understanding about the bone not healing.
When there is a fracture, a 'boot' that immobilizes the foot is usually worn for a number of weeks, and this takes care of it.
I also had a fracture and a subsequent neuroma. The fracture healed, because I wore the 'boot' religiously.
The Neuroma got worse. So, I had surgery to remove it. (OMG!!! rough surgery, but so worth it.)

It sometimes takes more extensive treatments, but if there are any options at all, I can't imagine not doing whatever to care for my feet and be ambulaatory!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I was in so much pain by the end of the day! I think they caused these shoes to be tighter and squeeze my foot. I took them out for today.

I am so sorry! I know about this kind of pain!!!
Anything that does that tightness/squeezing, even the socks that have the reinforced elastic type band around the middle, should NOT be worn with these types of foot unjuries/issues. I can't even wear that type of socks at all. Shoes should be generously sized to support the foot, but allow a free range of motion for all of those many bones and joints.

My heart goes out to you as you have to go thru this!!!
It will probably be SO worth it when you get to the other side!