UKC

Ive always known I had quite flat, no-volume feet but since a toe recently started hurting and following an xray it turns out Ive probably got a stress fracture.

In 3-4 months I can expect to have some orthotics from the NHS, but Im not sure if these will be much cop for running/inside trainers. Anyone know? Should I just pay to visit a podiatrist/sports physio and get some running ones done in the meantime (Im not really in pain, its just a bit uncomfy)?

In reply to goosebump:

Firstly, I'd say it depends on your priorities. I wouldn't like to wait 3-4 months and would pay a decent sports physio (before I would consider a podiatrist).

Secondly, running on a stress fracture is probably not a good idea, but stress fracture normally are more than a "bit uncomfy", so I would try to get another opinion as well. Again, I would be happy to pay a decent sport specific specialist for this, rather than wait for the NHS.

In reply to goosebump:
I've got flat feet and have had NHS orthotics all my life (though I think I'm due a new pair). Never found them a problem, very comfy actually as they're fitted to your feet perfectly, apart from the fact I had three-quarter lengths (because at the time there was a possibility my feet were still growing, so it was to make sure they'd fit in bigger sizes) which are quite chunky. It means your foot is higher so most shoes feel really tight unless you fit with them... and even then it's tricky. I don't imagine this is as much as a problem with full length ones though.

I use old trainers when I run which are very comfy, so I don't find I need my orthotics in them - but note that I don't run great distances/times. Recently I bought some shop orthotics specifically for my walking boots which are really good. It may be worth getting some for your running shoes.

I'm no expert and I don't run much but hope this helps a bit

It all depends on who you get and how they do it.

I started private, paid £90 for a pair which were built custom for me and they would not take away my morton's neuroma pain and other associated pains (knee and hip). I was there week in week out getting adjustments and wasn't getting anywhere and the guy eventually suggested trying the NHS for a second approach. I had insoles made using an actual cast of my feet and they are doing well. They are not of the same build quality as private so will not last as long but this approach has helped me out a lot more.

In reply to Steff:

I am tempted to find a physio just to see if I am running in a particular way that aggravates things. Oh and i should clarify, it doenst hurt most of the time, just aches, but occasionally when putting pressure through my middle toe its a real hobble inducing OW! followed by a day of limping. I could be convinced either way whether its fractured or not, but cant dispute the flat and 2 dimensional splurgey nature of the front of my feet

In reply to Nicole & Milesy:

Ok, it seems the NHS are worth bothering for orthotics then. Good to hear yours help! DO you wear them in all shoes or just for running?

In reply to goosebump:

It would be worth considering Morton's Neuroma as well. When mine was at it's worst it was almost like it was broke. I had to limp about and when the pain hit it was very sharp specific pain rather than that general muscular pain. It is on the nerve endings so that is why it is specific. The way you feel like it is fractured resonates with me a lot.

Everyone will differ but the "Metatarsal Pad" on my insoles was like a breath of fresh air to me! It allows the pressure to be spread out across the toes rather than to the one area.

In reply to Milesy:

I wear my good NHS ones in my every day shoes such as my casual trainers and work shoes. My current trainers already have an insole built into them, but my new pair when I get them will be neutral which I will wear the insole in. The private £90 pair which didn't help me out as much are 3/4 length ones and now reside in my climbing shoes as they are better than nothing and my full length ones wont fit in them.

In reply to goosebump:
from years of having shin problems and try alkind of ortho's i would suggest that you just wait for your fracture to mend and then work on strenghtening your feet. If you run of road orthos also do very little to help because of the changing ground so as a nhs specelist told me don't bother with orthos as the are an over rated was of time.

In reply to goosebump: You say you're getting them on the NHS, is this from a doctor, podiatrist or physio. Having spoken to a few people who have seen podiatrists it seems insoles are their first point of call.

I saw an NHS physio a few years ago who said I had flat feet and gave me good 3/4 length insoles made from a cast of my feet. This was up in Stirling but I've seen a lot of people who've had insoles from my local health authority which are pretty poor by comparrison. If they try to give you a foam insole with a bit of support glued into the arch then go somewhere else.

It's always worth getting a second opinion, having recently seen a really good physio (again on the NHS) I've been able to do without my insoles now. Apparently I don't have flat feet, it was just muscle weakness which had caused my arches to fall. If I'd known that earlier I might have had less trouble.

Ben

In reply to Anonymous:
Conversely, after years of trying to sort my achilles problems with physio, massage, changing gait etc a pair of orthotics, (private), sorted the issue almost overnight. Although physio to keep it that way is equally important.

In reply to goosebump:

Has anyone got any experience of this product? The sports insole (blue one).

http://www.drfoot.co.uk/Foot_Orthotics.htm

In reply to goosebump:

My experience of sports injury physio and nhs orthotics is poor. I have v flat feet which was over stressing my big toes when running. A friend recommend a podiatrist who did video gate analysis, only took 2 visits to get sorted with custom orthotics. Have never looked back and it also sorted out my running induced knee pain.

HTH Dave