FEET - and orthotic insoles - how to choose

[bellac11]

Does anyone know about orthotics and feety things?

I was recommended by a podiatrist some time ago to get some orthotic insoles for my over pronation. In the meantime I was later diagnosed by a physio with Achilles tendonitis.

I did get some orthotic insoles, I cant remember if they were recommended by the original podiatrist but I think they must have been, they were Dr Foot, 3/4 length insoles. They are good on the one hand in that they really helped me walk like a normal person!

But on the other hand being only short in the shoe, not only do they move around but they really dig into my feet where they cut off (I dont wear socks in any of my shoes).

The other thing I have noticed, having bought a few more orthotic insoles is that the arch bit seems to be too close to the back of my foot for me, I need the arch bit further forward, this is occuring in a couple of the insoles now. Im also not sure whether I have flat feet or high arches. I assume I have flat feet because Im overweight and walk very ungainly, always have. But to look at, my arches look very high so I cant work it out.

But also when Im looking at orthotic insoles the arches on them seem the same whether you're buying to support high arches or even flat feet. So Im very confused.

What I would like is the same insoles I bought from Dr Foot but in a full length version Ive emailed the but they havent emailed back and they have a completely rubbish website so cant work it out.

Does anyone do this line of work and have some advice?

I went to a podiatrist and got a proper assessment. It was really good. I ended up going for custom made insoles but you could buy off the peg insoles too. I would definitely recommend getting professional advice.

Definitely try to get customized insoles made, they can make a huge difference. Not sure how this works in the UK. In Germany they're paid for by health insurance - you'd need a very general prescription from a GP or orthopedist which you take to an orthopedic shoemaker or general orthotics supply place. Traditionally they'll do imprints of your foot while standing and use that to produce the insoles. There's also a newer method called the Jurtin method that digitizes your foot while not bearing weight and uses that for soft soles considered even better individually adjusted. Again I don't know if this is practiced in the UK yet but here's an English language summery: www.jurtin.at/en/philosophy/insoles/.

FWIW I'm very happy with mine and would happily pay private if I had to (would have been prob around 80 euros or so).

I had some made but I didn't like them. They were over £200 plus a couple of fitting appts. I find mine too hard .

Sketchers do an Arch Support range designed for over pronation. V comfy.

I use the 3/4 Arch orthotics, they don't shift about, did you have the right size?

Full length ones available on amazon

I've been to the podiatrist and ordered some custom made insoles. They are expensive though so you could try Vasyli online also good and cheaper

Just realised I wasn’t very clear, I meant see a podiatrist that specialises in biomechanical assessments.

Also Birkenstock make really supportive shoes with good arch support

Thanks everyone,

Ive never found birkenstocks comfortable at all and threw them out

But Aldi's own similar type sandal was very comfortable and I need to make sure I wear them round the house more often, I usually have bare feet at home

I also notice that the outside of my heels on my shoes wear down which isnt what is expected in over pronation so its a bit of a puzzle.

Ive googled for podiatrists locally and theres really only the person i saw some years ago and he recommended the ones I bought already

You could be underpronating rather than overpronating if it’s the outside edge you are wearing down. Which would fit with you thinking you could have high arches. When you leave a foot print what does it look like?

Birkenstocks have to be worn in then they are super comfy. But yes definitely wear something supportive on your feet around the house. I end up in agony if I walk around the house bare foot.

Is that supination?

My ankles roll in when I walk and yet its the outside of my shoes on the heel that wear down.

im not diagnosed but Ive got hypermobility

Sticky velcro strips are your friend if your insoles are moving around. Stick one side to the inside of you shoe and the other to the orthotic. Can't help with the rest though I'm afraid.

Forgot to say that with the Aldi pretendy birkenstocks, they were comfortable right from the off, no breaking in and really helped my achillies pain, such relief

But typical Aldi, never seen them since again and the problem is they are sandals and I wouldnt wear sandals out, only indoors