Orthotic help!

[Quizanory]

I'm in the process of getting custom orthotics and the chiropodist is quite forceful. After going through the measuring process she told me I could never wear sandals again, I questioned this. she then conceded as long as I wore the orthotics for at least a few hours every day it would be ok. Now she has come back and is asking me to sign - via a text - a disclaimer that I will never wear sandals. Is this standard procedure? She has also said some slightly questionable things so it has thrown all of her diagnosis into question.

It does sound dodge. DH recently got custom orthotics. They are a fairly, rigid material. I don't think he signed any disclaimer nor was advised about sandals, but then, DH doesn't own sandals. If you don't feel confident, I'd get a 2nd opinion and go elsewhere. I think DH's were £200 or £300, so you want to get something that is actually beneficial to your needs. Does she have good reviews?

@7238SM thanks for the reply. Yes good reviews although only a few. But she has one very negative one and her response was threatening. I wish I’d seen this before I went to see her!

The orthotics company who are making them are US bases so possibly used to more a litigious society.

DH has just come in, so I clarified what he was told. His orthotics were made in Belgium (we are in the UK, but they get sent there to be made apparently).
His podiatrist said to wear them 1 hr a day to start with a build up, adding an hour each day.
He said to wear them as much as possible, but because they don't fit in some shoes, to only wear those for short periods. Otherwise, he wont see the benefits of the orthotics.

You don’t need to sign anything to wear orthotics. Sandals are not practical as the orthotic will slip out bit you can be barefoot/sandals etc when you please - it’s your call when and how much to use the orthotics. Goes without saying that the more you use it the lesser your symptoms/ problems will be.

Mine are made in Ireland. I’ve never discussed wearing sandals with my podiatrist, but I wouldn't want to go without my orthotics for long anyway (maybe very supportive sandals, with arch support, for a short time, and not to walk far in) because I know how not wearing the orthotics causes foot pain again very quickly. I even keep an old pair of orthotics in my slippers.

I do have two pairs of sandals, though: one sturdy, supportive pair that I wear on the beach etc. and one smart pair that have open toes but a closed heel so I can wear the orthotics with them (not sure if that counts as 'sandals' ).

Wanting you to sign something seems very odd to me. How would they know if you had broken the agreement and worn sandals?

Thanks all you’ve really confirmed what I was thinking, they could never know what actually doing with them. And would obviously wear them if get rid of my knee pain! I’ve now cancelled them.

The chiropodist also told me my cheap inserts which really helped (I did a 100 mile walk with them in my walking boots) were a placebo.

I’m going to a physio clinic who are going to do a new assessment and look at the rest of my body - not just my feet.

And ironically the company she would have got the inserts from make orthotic sandals!