Any Orthotic experts about?

[PussinJimmyChoos]

Bunions run in our family and I'm having problems with mine. An op is out of the question right now as I've got a DS who is nearly 4 and I can't be laid up or out of action

I wear comfy shoes but despite this, my feet hurt when I walk and I do love walking. My fitness levels are suffering and I'd like to be able to walk to/fro work without being in pain at the end of the walk.

In desperation, I tried foot solutions and had custom made inserts for my shoes...not sure its doing any good though and my shoes actualy feel too tight with the inserts in. I'm starting to doubt it all now and it cost me £230!

What do you think of such inserts? I am going to get a referral by GP to Orthotics dept but meanwhile, wanted to see if I could find out more information

DH wears off the peg orthotics by Superfeet and swears by them - had a variety for different sports/everyday etc.

A very good friend of mine in a podiatrist and says that everyonbe shoudl have custom made othotics, as everyone's feet are different, and nobody's feet are the shape of any manufacturer's last.

Id if the insoles feel tight whilst your feet are in the shoes it sounds like you are wearing the wrong style of shoes. What footwear are you wearing your orthotic insole in? The podiatrist told me the following should be taken into account for footwear for bunions.

Ideally have

-Wide / deep toe box. In theory you should be able to curl your toes in them.

• No seams going over the bunion. Loafers are a huge no no. Any decorative seams are also not good. It puts pressure on the bone because the leather cant stretch.

-1- 1.5 inch heal is best height. Both lower and high are likely to put pressure and therefore more likely to cause discomfort. -Wedges are better for redistributing the weight/ alternatively wide heels. -lace up are better than slip ons. They hold the foot in place whereas a slip on allow the the foot to slide slightly ergo more pressure on the joint.

its a real pain finding shoes. Most of mine are slip on but if I can find a decent lace up pair that dont look like they belong to my granny I do buy them.