Custom orthotics
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Anonymous
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Ugh. So my son had Achilles tendinitis and the schools athletic trainer suggested, among other things, that he go to a foot and ankle specialist because he has very low arches. That doctor gave him custom
Orthotics. Generally they’ve been fine but he realized he could not run in them for more than 5 minutes without getting pain in his patellar tendon. (He can play sports in them that involved running but he could not just run steadily without pain). If he took the orthotic insoles out of his shoes and ran, he did not get the pain. So we went and got the prescription adjusted and got new orthotics. The doctor insisted he really needs to wear them all the time. But Now when he does sprints in his sports practices that just started, he is getting the patellar pain again after 3-4 minutes of highly intense sprinting (with breaks in between sprints). I’m not sure what to do. This is so frustrating. Are these custom orthotics just a scam? Should we get a second opinion from a different doctor (and note, the doctor we have seen is highly regarded apparently) or just go back to the shoe insoles or the “custom” ones from the running store he used to use? Would love any insight from people who have gone through something similar. |
Anonymous
| Let's say he's awake and dressed from 7am to 8pm. How much of those 11 hours is he running? Like, one hour? He can take the Orthodics out just for that and then put them back in . |
Anonymous
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Custom orthotics have been amazing for me. I wear them almost all the time now. I don't run anymore, but about 20 years ago when I first started getting orthotics I wore them only for running and they were great for preventing pain.
What does the doctor say about why he is having patellar pain? It seems like something is off, I'd get a good answer from the doctor and/or a second opinion. |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
The doctor insists he needs to wear them the most during physical activity. And he rarely just runs, but he does play several sports that require running. And he does those sports, during the season, 1-2 hours a day. This was our intention (don’t wear them during running etc) but the doctor said no, if they hurt during running let’s adjust them. But then the adjusted ones still give him the knee pain. This is why I’m puzzled as to what to do next. Continuing to get new ones that then need to be broken in during the sports season doesn’t seem to be practical. |
Anonymous
When we first told him they were causing knee pain while running, The doctor said let’s get them adjusted. So we got new pairs. But now the new pairs are also giving him the patellar pain. So yes I will go back to the doctor again, but am wondering if this is all really necessary or just one of those situations where all foot doctors are going to say he needs orthotics because as that saying goes, if your only tool is a hammer everything is a nail. And his sport season just started, so having constant patellar pain is going to be a big problem. |
Anonymous
| I have super flat feet and have my whole life, I've tried Custom orthotics many times from the age of 14 on up NEVER once have they helped me they made my foot pain worse, I've tried soft ones hard ones and in between. NOPE. Hate them all. superfeet are a *little* better but still don't use orthotics daily they are just not comfortable for me and add to my pain. |
Anonymous
Thanks for sharing. What have doctors said about it? Do they still try to push the orthotics? |
Anonymous
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I'd get a second opinion.
And not to sound dumb, but what is it that the orthotics are supposed to be doing? Because if he has a low arch he has a low arch. I'd think orthotics can help with support, but they can't change the foot. And when you say custom did they actually take a mold of his feet? How/what are they adjusting for? |
Anonymous
| Of the course the doctor says you need the orthotics. Because if you don’t, then he doesn’t make any money and what do you need him for. Orthotics are a scam. They fundamentally alter your gait and lead to widespread issues up and down the kinetic chain. Your son needs to work on addressing the root cause of the Achilles issues. Rather than using orthotics which are at best a crutch for that problem, and at worst lead to other problems (as your son is now discovering). |
Anonymous
No my podiatrist said wear sneakers that can't be bent in the middle.. wear brooks and replace every 3 months and that's what I've done expensive but works better for me and that's what I do. |
Anonymous
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I really appreciate all the responses.
In response to the PPs who asked what are they supposed to be doing and suggesting he needs to get at the root cause of the tendinitis..... He's been very diligently stretching and strengthening per the athletic trainer's direction. Sometimes the tendon will be a little sore but the tendinitis is essentially gone. The trainer said we should go see the foot doctor because he has such flat feet. The food doctor said the insoles will help put less stress on his tendons and overall make his feet/ankles/knees healthier because his feet are so flat. So they are supposed to make things like achilles tendinitis, patellar tendinitis, etc less likely because his feet will be "corrected." It's impossible to know if they've helped with the tendinitis or made things better; all I know is that when he runs, he gets knee pain now. |
Anonymous
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I've had custom orthotics my whole life and they have never caused any issue OP is describing. I'm pretty sure I'd be crippled without them.
If they hurt when wearing them, don't wear them. That shouldn't happen. |
Anonymous
| Everyone in my family wears them. All the time. They are lifesavers. You do need to break them in |