Heel pain, plantar fasciitis, podiatrists and orthotics
My first encounter with the podiatrist had been about 2 years before that. I had always had a poor opinion of podiatrists, the source of which was probably my mother who held them in low esteem as well. I was having a lot of recurring pain but it wasn't always painful, so the podiatrist didn't know whether my pain was acute (just short term) or chronic (long term). He decided to try a quick fix and with just a couple of strips of adhesive tape placed just so around my foot, my pain was immediately relieved. I couldn't believe it! I was able to learn and copy his taping technique and after about 10 days of taping I was cured... at least temporarily. it worked wonders for several years whenever I had pain. Eventually, thought my pain came back and I got tired of taping up my feet. The orthotics I got were called FootMaxx, and they cost $400 (not covered by insurance) back about 7 or 8 years ago. I had to walk several times across an electronic pressure sensing pad that was hooked up to the podiatrist's laptop computer. This took the measurements necessary and a few weeks later my orthotics showed up. I returned to the podiatrist's office for a fitting. He told me that it was likely that I would experience new pains in my knees, hips and back as things straightened out, but that in a few weeks that would subside. He also told me that it would take about 6 weeks before I didn't notice the orthotics in my shoes. His line was "until they disappear into your shoes." Well, my knees hurt for a few weeks after starting to use them, and it took 6 weeks before I didn't notice them in my shoes, but my foot pain went away in a few days. He was spot on. To this day if I don't use them for a little while, my foot pain returns. In fact if my foot is killing me from not using them and I can barely walk without excruciating pain, if I put on my shoes with the othotics inside I can walk immediately, and the pain is absent in a day. I often wonder about the non prescription orthotics that are available on the market, like at the Good Feet store, and even ones hanging on the racks at retail stores, but I've never tried them. Anyone have experience with orthotics? |
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| Yes Ron, I use the otc orthotics and am well pleased. I go for the harder plastic ones due to my size.....otherwise I squish the livin' daylights out of the cheaper ones.
I went to a foot store that charged me several hundred dollars to do the "step test" and the foot imprint, etc. Then they disappeared behind the curtain and magically appeared with an appropriate orthotic...no sending out to have them special made. I snuck behind the curtain and did see several dozen different orthotics, both size and style so I don't think I was toooooo ripped off. One of the few shoe stores that carries my size also makes orthotics but so far I'm pleased with what I can buy otc. If I go w/o the orthotic for awhile I too start to get a tingle. I have a foot stretcher that helps and also a foot splint I got from footsmart.com. The splint is a cumbersome thing to wear at night, but by gosh it stops the pain within a night or two. Had to laugh about taping the foot.......I used a wrist brace...just an ACE type wrap. It was what helped me diagnose the problem initially. So Ron, for me the otc orthotics work fine. susan |
| My dad also has to wear orthotics - without them he has a lot of pain, but I don't know if he's tried to wear a non-prescription. Good thought - I'm interested to know what you find out! |
| From the Queen of Foot Pain...
I first got custom-made hard plastic orthotics for bunion problems. They were prescribed by my orthopaedic surgeon and worked great. Eventually the problem required surgery; even with the orthotics I couldn't walk nine holes of golf without pain. More recently I got another pair of soft custom-made orthotics for pain in the ball of my foot. They worked fine but due to the mess that my left foot is in, surgery was my only option to be (hopefully) pain free. Also have the plantar fasciitis (in my "good" foot) but exercises keep that pain tolerable, and I do still wear the soft orthotics. My husband got orthotics from his chiropractor, which sounds much like the ones Ron got from the podiatrist. To be fitted for them he stood on a mat that was connected to a computer which mapped the pressure points in his feet. The orthotics (the foam kind) were made from these readings. He tried to break them in following the instructions precisely but they hurt worse than before and ended up taking them back. He did get his money refunded 
I'm sure when I get healed up from my recent surgery I will go back to my surgeon, get a new prescription for orthotics and have them done professionally. I'm sure the otc ones will work if you don't have a serious problem. |
| Poor Doug suffers from PF and has tried just about everything, shor of going to a Podiatrist. I've been trying to get hiim to one for years but he just digs his heels in (no pun intended) and refuses to go. He did get a scropt for orthotics from his Internist, yup they are still over $400.00. We found out too late that they WOULD have been covered by his insurance IF we had gone to an "approved" place (we didn't).
The orthotics and stretching exercises have helped a bit but not completely, He's gotten shots in his foot (cortisone I think) and I give him nightly foot rubs (what a good women I am!!  ). One of the most helpful suggestions was from the guy at the orthotic place.
He told him to NEVER go barefoot and recommended Haflinger Clogs for wear around the house. They are expensive but Doug says they are incredibly comfortable. He's so cute in his clogs, my little redneck fella, I call him "clog boy"  For his Birthday I just got him a pair of Leather Haflingers that look more "shoe like". |
Ginny, Be sure Tasker doesn't mistake those nice leather clogs for a NY Strip steak!  |
Maggie McGee IV wrote: Ginny, Be sure Tasker doesn't mistake those nice leather clogs for a NY Strip steak!
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