One pointless podiatrist appointment then another more fruitful one!

If you’ve been reading this blog for some time you’ll know that I’ve been wearing custom made orthotics for pretty much the whole of the year. Last week I went to see a new podiatrist as I’ve still been getting a really bad blister on the arch of my left foot. This time I decided to see a podiatrist at a running track in Ashford, as I figured that I would get the best service and advice as a runner from someone based at a running track. This was a mistake!

I spent about 5 minutes giving my history and saying that I really wanted a second opinion as to whether or not I needed to actually wear the orthotics, or if I should just wear a more structured running shoe.

After this I took my shoes and socks off, rolled up my tracksuit bottoms and walked up and down a very small room so she could observe my gait. There was certainly a noticeable overpronation – but nothing really bad.

After several minutes she said that my current orthotics were doing a good job. Next – on to the treadmill. This was where my confidence in her started to wear thin.

I was videoed from behind first of all running bare foot, then with just structured ASICS, then with my orthotics in my neutral New Balance shoes.

The podiatrist didn’t have a clue how to use the laptop/video software! The shop manager had to do everything… and I ended up chatting to her just as much as to the podiatrist!

It was very clear that the orthotics and New Balance shoes were doing a good job. The probable reason for the blister was due to the orthotic putting too much pressure on the arch as I came down on my footstrike. So some slight sanding down of the area would probably help.

So, may be I was being a bit harsh with the podiatrist, but I had to pay £40 for this session. And I could have got just as much out of pretending I wanted to buy some shoes and getting a free gait analysis!!!

As soon as I left I phoned my original podiatrist and arranged an appointment, which I had yesterday. This was a all together much better experience.

Unfortunately the lady I saw before wasn’t now taking orthotic appointments so I saw a new guy – who turned out to be very good.

He again looked at how my foot was in the orthotic and agreed that taking some off of the arch may help. So, 10 minutes later, and after 2 visits to his sanding machine, I had a slightly tweaked left orthotic. It felt different straight away.

He told me to try it for a couple of weeks and go back if it didn’t make any difference. The good news too is that he said I had at least 6 months of wear left in them. However, on the left one the leather covering is starting to come off – which may also be a contributing factor to the blister forming. If I needed this cover replacing it would just cost £10!

And the cost of these changes…. absolutely nothing! I hadn’t been back there for about 10 months, but they still considered it part of the overall service!

Anyway, I went for a 2 and a half mile run tonight, and they felt much better. My left foot is a bit tight now, but I guess it will still take a couple of weeks for my left foot to get used to the new contours. We’ll see how I get on.

It just goes to show. If you get a good service from somewhere/someone… stick with them!