Getting custom made running orthotics - the process I went through

Getting fitted for running orthotics

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.

She explained things really clearly… as my feet are landing on each strike they are rolling inwards too much. This has therefore been twisting my foot, putting undue pressure on my achilles tendons and twisting the shin … leading to a stress fracture.

After looking at me stand and walk she had a god idea what I would need - arch support and maybe a heal lift.

But things have moved on over the last few years apparently. It’s not all manual anymore… She had me stand on a big machine with a footpad made out of lots of plastic bobbles - each probably about an inch or so long. When she pressed a button it came to life and the bobbles raised up - thereby mirroring the shape and contour of my foot. This was then translated into a image - kind of like a contoured map of small mountain range!

This image was then sent to the USA and a week later I visited the podiatrist again to pick up the orthotics.

Tweaking the orthotics

I took a range of shoes with me when I next saw the podiatrist so that she could ensure they were comfortable in everything I wear.

I was surprised at how she tweaked them. She basically used a sand mill machine to grind them in to shape. Although the machine that had traced my feet was very accurate, she said there was nothing like the human interpretation to get the orthotics exactly right. Although she also said that this would be an iterative process that could take several visits.

Wearing the orthotics for the first time

It was a strange feeling when I first put on my shoes with the orthotics in. On the one hand it was like the shoes fitted me perfectly for the first time ever. On the other, it was like standing on a solid block… albeit a block that was almost perfectly molded to my feet.

On the whole though, it just felt right. Shoes that had been baggy in the past now fit me like a glove.

How orthotics don’t just effect your feet

My podiatrist also explained how I should only wear the orthotics for a few minutes each day to start with - as they can bring on pain elsewhere. Due to the fact the feet are put in to the right alignment when wearing them, this also means that the knees and hips are brought in to line. Now, this isn’t what the body is used to… so apparently some pain is not unusual!