bespoke orthotics? How much? Do they work? Wide wide flat feet and now dodgy knee woes

[NeverEndingLaundry]

I've had a problem with pain at the top of my tibia, just below my knee since January which has stopped me running. It hurts like hell when pressed in one spot and I couldn't possibly kneel on it.

I eventually got round to seeing the GP who arranged an X-ray last week. It shows there's not much wrong with my knee and she couldn't think of what might have caused it, until I showed her my incredible feet. I have the widest feet in the world (I can't imagine anyone's would be wider in comparison to length of foot) plus narrow heels, bunions on which I had an operation when I was 16, and also sticky-out little toe joints. I also have always had very flat arches. I'm now 40.

Her verdict is that the leg pain was probably caused by my foot problems and she suggested I go to a podiatrist to get orthotics made. I've been wearing off the shelf moulded insoles in some of my shoes for ages, since I usually have to take a 7 for width when my feet are really only a 6, but I don't wear them all the time.

Can I ask, how much is this likely to cost privately? Can I be referred on the NHS and if so, why didn't the GP do it? she said 'could you afford it?' and I just said, 'er, yes, I suppose so' but I really have no idea!

Sorry for long post. I live in the Midlands if that makes a difference.

I went to a podiatrist privately (rural SE) and paid £38 for an initial assessment. I just went directly - not via my gp. The podiatrist ordered these for me which cost £60
www.healthystep.co.uk/products/vectorthotic/
The podiatrist fitted the kit together and adjusted them for my feet. I was told it was halfway between an off the shelf orthotic and custom made (where they take a mould of your feet).
The Vectorthotics have been great.

I have custom made orthotics which have now lasted for 10 years (they've been adjusted in that time). They were very expensive - about £180 I think, but they were worth every penny. I have worn them almost every day for 10 years. Without them I am in pain after an hour.

Just a reccomendation for really wide shoes - have a look at Vivobarefoot and other "barefoot" brands.

I had orthotics on the NHS (ridiculously high arches and foot shape/position all wrong, apparently more of your feet than just your toes, a tiny sliver of the ball of your feet and the edge of your heel is supposed to touch the floor - who knew...). I was referred by a physiotherapist, but I don't see why a GP couldn't do it.

Ds2 is having orthotics made on the NHS.

Round here (Buckinghamshire) you self-refer to Podiatry, check if you can do this too - certainly sounds like you need to.

Oh thank you all - wonderful mn people. I'm definitely going to get orthotic insoles made or properly prescribed off-the-shelf, even if not NHS. Will find out. I've googled and found some reputable-looking podiatrists near me.

I've shown my freak-feet to GPs before, and they've always said 'if your feet don't hurt there's no problem' but it's a nightmare getting shoes and now I have got some pain so I need to take charge. Also DD seems to have similar, and we had to buy her boys' school shoes yesterday, poor lass. My mother has same too, and has had 2 operations over the years. at least the rest of our bodies are bloomin' gorgeous

and thank you for the wide shoe recs It'sAll. Really good to know.

Corus yes, triangular, exactly. There is no shoe. though have yet to try it'sall's link

Things I hobble about in include M&S for wide-fat-feet - variable but Autograph sometimes doable; Birkenstocks in summer; some Clarks; occasional Scholl. Landsend for wide-fat-feet, though heels very sloppy.

I have tried Duoboots and Hotter. Not wide enough.

nb I'm probably a 10 for width...

you can get them on the NHS, you will probably be sent to a special clinic with a long wait list, they take a cast of your foot and have them made. In my case I have a lot of injuries and repairs, got bounced around between GP, orthopaedic surgeon (who lost interest) and orthopod. In my case I am supposed to be called back annually for a new pair, as they wear out or your feet change. I know that some people in the clinic have special shoes made, and they take them back to be resoled.

I expect it depends how bad you are, and how much of a nuisance.

Saying you could afford it may not have helped.

If you go back and say "would I not be able to get a suitable thing on the NHS" it may help.

God Corus - seen your picture. It's like a Hollywood version of mine

piglet thanks I actually will ask again. I had my bunions operated on abroad and I haven't really troubled the NHS at all with my feet, though they've been bizarre since childhood, and there's a lot of not joined-up stuff on my records.

I used to have feet like a duck, all narrow ankles and bunions, orthotics all the time and very limited shoe choices. Had the bunions fixed a year ago (private) and now I can wear lk Bennett high heels. Fabulous.

I have custom made orthotics, made for me by a physio who has a special interest in foot mechanics. They are brilliant & I no longer have foot, knee or hip pain, and I can run again .

They were expensive, though, around €180 (Ireland) but have been worth every cent.