Anyone wear shoe inserts? Did they help your sore feet?
I know, I should probably post this on a podiatry board!
A podiatrist and physical therapist have diagnosed me as having plantar fasciitis which causes severe pain in my right heel. I have been in pain every day since early April. I kept hoping the pain would go away, but it got worse. I finally went to the foot doctor last week.
They took some casts of my feet to make custom inserts to put into my shoes to correct my problem. They discovered that my right heel twists inward while the toe twists outward when I walk or stand! I am a "twisted cyster!"
I am so afraid that these inserts might not work. I am wondering if it can really help this pain, as it is so intense. I want to keep up my walking (it helped me to lose 20 pounds). I am terrified if it doesn't work and I won't be able to walk or exercise as I want to and I will gain back all that weight!
Anyone have experience with inserts and/or physical therapy for foot problems? Did it help?
Thank you so much for any information! I really appreciate it!
I have EXTREMELY high arches, so high that the nothing between my heal and ball touch the floor. I also pronate really badly.
A number of years ago I was in so much pain I could barely walk so I went to a podiatrist. He made inserts for me that were molded to my foot. They are hard plastic with a foam covering. I've worn them everyday since I first got them (11 years) and haven't looked back since! I'm able to walk, run, jump, and be really active. I would have never been able to lead a normal life if it wasn't for my inserts.
I say go ahead and get them! They can only help, trust me!
Kat - I have plantar fasciitis AND I worked for a podiatrist for about 4 years. Your orthotics will work for you! It will just take some time to get used to them. I had my podiatrist make me some which I wear in my tennis shoes. I also went to the Good Feet store, which I don't know if that is a local store or what, but I know that they have infomercials all the time here in Vegas. I bought a pair of thin orthotics to wear in sandals and such. I, too, have an extremely high arch.
But, my overall best experience, and you can even ask your podiatrist on this, is Birkenstocks. I know, you think hippy people, Jerry Garcia (yep - cool designs) and all, but let me tell you I live in them! I even have two pairs of Birkenstock clogs for the winter time with jeans.
I have PF and morten's neuroma in both my feet. My PF is waaaayyy worse in my left foot.
It was so bad a year ago, I could not stand even a few minutes or walk more than 10 without my toes and feet cramping. I even was awak at night was leg cramps and feet cramps.
Nowadays, I can stand and talk for awhile at social gatherings (like church...work) and shop at the supermarket instead of just online.
I am also able to take 20 minute walks and even sometimes 30 minutes.
I were SDOs, Silicon Dynamic Orthotics since my feet were so sensitive, i could not stand the hard orthotic ones. The ones I got made at a shoe store were not altogether comfortable especially on my left foot. The SDOs were comfortable enough I could wear them all the time. I keep asking for more fluid and even got raises.
I got them through the internet, a link through the website I go to for foot problems.
I finally found a podatrist that is aggressive in treating this...Dr. K. in Pleasanton. I drive out there 30 miles since I really like him. I got 3 shots of cortisone mixture in my left toe area (between 3rd and 4th toe) and so much pain died down!
So with all the phyiscal therapy I get (I go to a chiropracter, Dr. R. off of Saratoga in San Jose) once a week, an electiric massager for my feet I use at my house when I am on the internet...all the warm baths in epsom salts I used to take...massaging and stretching my feet and legs...plus the SDOs...and the shots...I feel much better but I still have a ways to go.
Dr. K. is making me some orthotics, he says they are slightly flexible but have more support. He feels these "are the best thing for me".
I am Mahatmelissama on there. There is even an old picture of me up as one of the regulars on that site.
I plan on someday getting it together and making a "success story website for foot pain" website since so many people suffer in pain from foot problems but society treats it like it ain't no big thing.
I think my problem is way worse than yours and I can walk now...don't be worried. Just make sure you take care of the problem NOW! The more you put it off, believe me, the worse it gets! I had this problem for years but I ignored it.
BTW, I have HIGH arches. The reason I am trying to keep on losing weight is my foot pain. It diminishes more and more I swear every 5 lbs. I lose. With PCOS and foot pain, it has been a bear for me.
Have hope, you sound like your podatrist is good. Advice: GET BLOOD FLOWING. hot water (hot baths) with epsom salts, massagers (you have a hunky UPS man hubby...I am sure he could massage his boudacious wife's sore feet!) if hubby is busy, get massage electric thing. Also, TAKE MSM and GLUC(?sp). I swear that vitamin has helped me. It is like water, non-toxic and you need it.
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sourdaisy It was great to see your testimony about how great the inserts worked for you! I am hoping mine will do the same.
Juana Baby I am glad to hear about the success of the orthotics. I realize that there may be some adjusting of them to custom fit them to my problem. I was glad to hear about the thinner inserts available for sandals and such and the Birkies! I will have to try those ideas out. I was afraid that I would have to be a little ol' lady in lace up tennies everywhere I went (now I know why they wear them...their feet HURT!)
Cathy Wood Oh, YES! You have sure had your fill of feet problems lately. I sure hope that you are doing better with each passing day after your foot surgery.
American Woman I was hoping you would answer my post, because I know that you have had to deal with foot problems! I really appreciate all your information. I wish I lived closer to the Bay Area to see your Dr. K, but I do think that my doctor and PT are doing the best they can. Yesterday, my PT did ultrasound on my heel and it felt SO good! My doc did give me a coritsone shot initiallly, too. I will check out that website and let me know if you do create a website...I will be there!
P.S. I loved what you said about my hunky UPS man hubby massaging my feet. He does give a great foot massage and when I asked him if he could do so more often to my poor ol' foot he said, "Of course!" It should help, and if not, it could lead to other things to distract me from my foot problem!
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN!
Kathryn
Last edited by KlassicalKat; 06-03-2003 at 02:13 PM.
Kat,
It sounds like the orthotics will be perfect for you, and I just wanted to add that Birkenstocks have cured me of this trouble. It took a few months of exclusive use of Birks, but I could go around the world in these things.
Good luck,
Sheri
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Hi there--I also have PF, and the start of a small heel spur. I can't say enough about my orthotics. Also, my podiatrist did electrostim and ultrasound stimulation on my heel, which seemed to help with the pain. Besides that, icing and exercises (rolling a tennis ball on your heel) helped.
Also, I found that there are several wonderful brands of shoes out there for great support. Now, these are expensive (my sandals were $100) but worth it when you're in pain: I recommend Dansko. Also, Merrill, Easy Spirit and Bjorn.
Good luck
Jen
Newly diagnosed this week, still taking all of this in
The orthodics do work depending on how bad your PF is. I have had them for years and also have gotten cortizone injections in my heal....I was prescribed everything including night braces and physical therapy.....nothing helped I felt crippled at 38. My many doctors (because I went through a few) said surgery would be the next option. Lucky for me I knew a few people who had this procedure that is pretty new to this country....It is radio frequency or heat wave therapy....an intense heat is used to deaden the nerves that are causing pain...you are knocked out for the procedure because the heat is so intense....but you walk right out with almost no pain after. It only took a few weeks for the pain to be completly gone. It wasn't easy finding a doctor who does it because it is so new, I guess. I did some reseach on the internet and found that they have been doing it in Canada for years....It was like a miracle. You might want to check into it...the best part was it was covered by my insurance.....Check it out you won't be sorry......Let me know if you have any questions.
Wow! More great and informative responses to my post here! Thanks!
SheriKCMO Yes, I can't wait to try the orthotics. I might be getting them tomorrow, as I have another podiatrist appointment. I really should try the Birkenstocks. Hard to believe I grew up in the 60's and 70's and never owned a pair!
jenpanreno I really appreciate the shoe brand recommendations! I will definitely be looking into them. I don't care if they cost more; it will be worth it. What brand were your sandals? Oh and my Physical Therapist did some of that ultrasound on my heel and it seemed to feel so much better afterwards! They told me to freeze a cylindrical bottle of water to roll under my arch and heel. Gotta go get some!
Delila The doctor did give me a cortisone shot but it didn't seem to help. If this pain continues after I get the orthotics, I will definitely ask about that heat wave therapy. I am so glad that you posted about that. I am willing to look into all kinds of options to get out of this pain!
I had a bad case of pf a couple of years ago. My doctor recommended Tulli heel cups. They were around $20, and I had to get a map to find the little medical supply store that sold them, but they were worth the trip . I wore them a lot in all my shoes, then the pain got better and I ended up keeping them in only one pair, my black Keds - mainly because the heel is low. So, since that time I've been paranoid about wearing any kind of shoe with a heel less than 1 inch. I think wearing the higher heeled shoes (nothing over 1 1/2 for me!) has really helped.
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Kat,
My sandals are Dansko brand, however Dansko carries a lot of cute shoes, both casual and dress. I also have Easy Spirit tennis shoes that have no laces and a slingback heel (I know sounds strange, but trendy and I can slip my orthotics in them). I have come to the conclusion that I'm probably going to have to spend A LOT more on shoes than I ever did before, but gotta take care of the feet!!
Jen
Anyone wear shoe inserts? Did they help your sore feet? 
