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Having written many posts about why I needed running orthotics, and also about what I’ve gone through since getting them fitted, I thought I should post an article that actually shows you what they look like. The main reason being that when I first heard of orthotics, I didn’t have a clue what they were. So, hopefully these pictures may help you…
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I think today was about the 4 time I’ve gone back to see my podiatrist to tweak my running orthotics.
Each time has made a difference, so let’s hope this is the last time I have to see her. She probably hopes that that’s the case, as I paid her £120 up front - which included the initially consultation, the making of the orthotics, and then all the follow ups.
I’m going back to see my podiatrist tomorrow. I think my orthotics do need looking at again.
I’m kind of happy because my achilles tendons aren’t as stiff in the mornings now, but the are painful just where the tendon joins the heel, and also to each side of the tendon itself. Last time I saw here she said I may need the heels raising slightly so I guess that’s what will happen.
The pain I was getting in the back of the calf has gone now since I last saw her… so I do think she knows what she’s doing! She warned me up front that it could take a few small tweaks to get them just right.
I’ve carried on doing my anti shin splint exercises too, but my shins are still slightly sore if I rub them - so we’ll see what she says about that too.
Just got back from the podiatrist. I can now truly see the worth in getting custom made running orthotics.
It turns out that the orthotics were too wide for my new New Balance trainers and the new work shoes I bought before Christmas.
So, they were getting squeezed at the back (about half way down the heel) - which obviously meant they weren’t lying correctly in the shoes. This just goes to show that one size really can’t fit all. My podiatrist simply peeled off the protective layer and sanded down the outside edge of each orthotic. They now fit snugly into both the New balance trainers and the work shoes.
She said to give it 3 weeks before calling her if there are still problems.
They just don’t feel right.
I’ve hardly run at all this week and my achilles tendons are tighter than ever, I’ve had a few pains where my stress fracture was, and I’m starting to get pains in my shins and calves.
Will go and see her tomorrow to see if the orthotics need changing.
This is really starting to annoy me now! It seems that every time my achilles pain gets better ti then gets worse again.
I woke up this morning and the pain was probably worse than it’s been for a couple of weeks. I made sure I did a few achilles tendon stretches before leaving for work and this certainly helped, but now I feel like I’ve got a minor shooting pain every now and again in each of the tendons.
So, it’s been 7 days now breaking in my new custom made orthotics. Still no running though! Aaarrgghh!
It’s been quite a strange week really, and I haven’t been that active - so I haven’t really walked very far. Which I guess has been good, as my Podiatrist advised that I should only wear my new custom made orthotics for short periods each day (of about 15 minute chunks). In fact I’ve worn them pretty much all day every day (slap my wrists!).
Well, I expected to wake up this morning with painful knees, a painful back and painful hips… but there was no pain at all. However, this could have been due to the fact I was so tired having got up at 3.30 in the morning to watch the Ricky Hatton/Floyd Mayweather fight. Now I know this is a running blog, but this fight is surely worth a mention. So much so, I think I’ll write a specific article at some point. Anyway, back to the matter in hand… or rather, the orthotic in shoe!
The process I went through when I had my running orthotics made for me was really very simple.
I first of all chatted to my podiatrist about what my problem was. In my case this was very easy… I had a stress fracture in my left fibula and my physiotherapist had told me that I was overpronating. It didn’t take my podiatrist long to reiterate this position. She said it was blatantly clear that I was overpronating and that custom made orthotics for running were really the only option.
I went to see the physio earlier today about my stress fracture - and as I thought they said there was pretty much nothing they could do for me to aid the healing process. As the fracture is bone, it just needs time and rest in order to heal itself.
The best thing I could do for myself in the meantime though is to see a podiatrist in order to get fitted for some custom made orthotics. These would correct my overpronation and hopefully stop me from getting any stress fractures in the future.