Anyone any experience of orthotics?

[Jellymane]

As it says really. I took my then 5 year old daughter to the GP back in February due to pain when wearing shoes - the bones under her ankles on the inside of her feet are protruding and her shoes were rubbing against these. Diagnosed with flat feet/over-pronation and have been passed around a variety of physios/podiatrists, all of whom have given out an assortment of orthotics. Finally got to see the paediatric podiatrist a week ago and have just taken delivery of a new pair of orthotics through the post (not custom made). Put them in my daughter's school shoes this evening and after 30 mins wear, she was left with deep red pressure/rubbing marks on the areas that stick out. She did complain they hurt her from the off but persevered, bless her. The podiatrist did say she would need a more supportive ankle boot than the very expensive Ecco trainer like shoes I have just bought for her. Is it worth trying to fit them in other shoes (they are quite rigid) or should I just get straight on to the podiatrist? I'm so sick of trying to get her feet sorted have just been sat crying and feeling utterly useless as I just want to help my daughter.
Sorry for the essay but any experiences you could share would be most helpful.

We had issues with DD3 who has an insert in one shoe and she ended up with cellulitis from rubbing. I would suggest not pushing on with them at this stage but going back and getting the fit properly checked out with the professionals from here and adjustments made as necessary. DDs is custom made too!
Don't know if it is any help to you but we buy kickers kick hi shoes for DD and these seem in general to work a treat and we found far better than the orthotic shoes that they supplied in all honesty, though perhaps we had cheap orthotic shoes?!

dd has had to have ortho boots and custom made insoles since 16mo, she is nearly 8. I'd say contact orthotics department (not podiatrist) and get a review appointment.

Thanks for your replies, you've just confirmed what I thought but it's been going on for so long, I'm starting to doubt my own judgement!
beautifulgirls I had been looking at Kickers as they seem to be well recommended, just not sure they'd be any good for my daughter's narrow feet. Think I'll order some to try!
MrsShrek3 I will see if I can track down the orthotics dept. It has taken us 7 months just to get an appointment with a paediatric podiatrist so wish me luck!

Hi. We had same problems with dd and her feet and had to have shoes handmade for her. After years of struggling we eventually saw orthotic dept at hospital to get orthotics. They said to build up the time they are in the shoes. Eventually we ditched them as she hated wearing them due to discomfort and each time she needs new shoes we spend days trawling independent shoe shops and so far have eventually found a pair to fit. European brands are narrower. It is soul destroying and there have been time when all she could wear were flip flops, times when she couldn't do pe as no sport shoes, she even missed one of her ks1 sats due to shoe shopping with my mother as she has nothing to wear.

There are private places you can get orthotics made.

Should have added dd has developmental flat feet and over pronation. Her ankles are very thin but her toe width is normal.

Hi my dd is 6 and recently been fitted with orthotics for same reasons, also she has leg length discrepancy and hypermobility. The orthotics fit lovely in her trainers, she wore them all summer happily. Then came to put them in her start right school shoes and they were far too painful. Quick trip back to podiatrist, they gave her the next size down and they were fine! She said start right are the deepest shoe you can get, not that helps when you have already forked out for shoes!

My DS2 (now 15) has had Orthotics since 6 yrs old, we originally saw a bog standard paediatric podiatrist, but found her 'out of a packet' insoles too uncomfortable and 'general', so i pushed and got referred further up to a biomechanical podiatrist (still NHS).
She has been a godsend, his orthotics are completely tailor made to fit, and even have a foam/gel layer on top for extra cushioning.
My DS is hypermobile as well as everything else, but we've found good solid heel cups in the insoles have meant he can get away with padded leather high tops for ankle support.
I'd go back, be a right pain in their backside and push to be referred further up! What you've got now isn't good enough.

Thanks for all your replies. It's nice to hear from others with similar experiences (but shocking how much of a fight it is to get the right treatment). We have an appointment to have the insoles checked tomorrow (I would have thought a follow-up appointment would have been standard, not something to be requested!). If we get no joy we'll push on.
I just had my son to the GP yesterday as his feet look similar to (if not worse than) my daughter's. The GP said he would refer him straight to the orthopaedic dept. in a hospital outside of the county we live in (although closer than the hospital we currently have to travel to) so if they prove better, I'll request a transfer for my daughter.
Thanks again for your replies, they have been very helpful and they show I can get we need if I push hard enough!

good luck. hope you get what you need. I've found we have to ask for everything appointment and review wise, despite ortho boots being the only footwear dd has ever been able to walk in. I quickly caught on that insoles for wellies etc could be provided but like everything else, needed to be requested firmly otherwise she'd have had to go everywhere in her piedro boots.