Cost of podiatry (gait analysis)

413x · 1 Jul 2019 at 16:49

Developed a nasty case of anterior knee pain and was wondering if seeing a podiatrist was worth it.

Not asking for medical advice but more if a quote of 200gbp is right?

This includes gait analysis and cost of insoles.
Is this about right or expensive ?

Efour · 1 Jul 2019 at 16:53

Become a cowboy.

Dis86 · 1 Jul 2019 at 16:55

See your GP

413x · 1 Jul 2019 at 16:59

Dis86 said:
See your GP

Already seen. Physio said it might help. Really just want to get an idea if the cost is right

toshj · 1 Jul 2019 at 17:00

@footman should be able to advise

EssexBoy · 1 Jul 2019 at 17:00

Runnersworld provide free gait analysis if you grab some running trainers from them.

dowie · 1 Jul 2019 at 18:50

413x said:
Developed a nasty case of anterior knee pain and was wondering if seeing a podiatrist was worth it.

Not asking for medical advice but more if a quote of 200gbp is right?

This includes gait analysis and cost of insoles.
Is this about right or expensive ?

I like how they've priced in a solution (orthotics/insoles) before even examining you. (I guess they have details from your Physio or something?)

AFAIK they're not quacks like Chiropractors/Osteopaths but they are quite limited in terms of what they do... which seems to be mostly getting you some insoles. Generally I'd go to a sports medicine consultant and Physio for this sort of thing but I guess if the Physio has recommended a Podiatrists then....

Did you have a breakdown of the costs - private doctors/consultants might charge around that amount for a consultation though I presume this is consolation + those other things mentioned... if they're including custom made insoles then I don't think it is unreasonable at all.

I mean I'd expect the consultation to be in line with what a Physio changes, like say £60 or so... but if they're doing some sort of testing I'd expect a fee for that and if you're getting something like insoles then another fee for that so it certainly doesn't sound unreasonable.

dowie · 1 Jul 2019 at 19:52

Meant to add - Do you have insurance through work at all? You sometimes get doctors who specialise in sports medicine, not orthopaedic surgeons but medics. I went to one with issues with a tendon, he was trying quite novel techniques. Unfortunately there was an underlying condition (loose ACL that didn't show up on the MRI but was only later discovered with a camera during surgery) but the stuff he did with the tendon, sugar injections coupled with sessions with a Physio at the same centre seemed to do the trick with the tendon itself.

Oh and also, if you get an attractive blonde Aussie Physio and she says she's going to give you a deep tissue massage next session don't expect it to be a nice experience, you'll be disappointed... it is very painful!!!!

413x · 1 Jul 2019 at 20:07

Thanks for the info.
I haven't had an MRI yet, I'll be pushing for that when I go back to the gp and say the physio isn't solving it.

The physio said podiatrist might help rather than do it. Annoyingly I went to a orthopedic practice and physio. Both said 'it'll get better' but both were totally different in prescribing activities.

I myself thought of a podiatrist as some people have said it's helped so much.
It's 130 for the analysis and 70 for the insoles. Seems a tad steep.

No medical through work unfortunately..

Diddums · 1 Jul 2019 at 21:27

Amputate tbh, only way to be sure.

Goksly · 1 Jul 2019 at 22:09

I went to the GP - total wait time was around 6 months. Went private inbetween, cost was £70 for analysis. recommended "off the shelf" insoles were £25, and the quote for moulded carbon fiber ones were like £250 for the first one and then £100 for every pair after that. When I finally got to the GP referred one, they just gave me off the shelf insole so yeah thats that!

413x · 1 Jul 2019 at 22:12

Goksly said:
I went to the GP - total wait time was around 6 months. Went private inbetween, cost was £70 for analysis. recommended "off the shelf" insoles were £25, and the quote for moulded carbon fiber ones were like £250 for the first one and then £100 for every pair after that. When I finally got to the GP referred one, they just gave me off the shelf insole so yeah thats that!

Any help?
The physio basically said if you don't run (I don't!) you only need the off the shelf ones, but you can try the private podiatrist if you like

Street · 1 Jul 2019 at 22:13

dowie said:
Generally I'd go to a sports medicine consultant and Physio for this sort of thing

A decent sports physio is definitely worth it. I'd go this route and it should be a fraction of the price too.

413x · 1 Jul 2019 at 22:19

Street said:
A decent sports physio is definitely worth it. I'd go this route and it should be a fraction of the price too.

Wish I knew how to find a decent one!

Street · 1 Jul 2019 at 22:26

413x said:
Wish I knew how to find a decent one!

Unfortunately, my recommendation probably isn't much use to you being about 150 miles away!

SexyGreyFox · 1 Jul 2019 at 22:45

I went to see a Podiatrist, had gait analysis done and orthotics made.
Now he could have been a Quack because my orthotics were warmed up in a microwave or oven, placed in my shoes and then they molded to my feet.
I was later told that the 'oven' orthotics cost about £20.

ThriceNightly · 1 Jul 2019 at 22:56

Find a good podiatrist on recommendation
In my case long term knee and foot issues
Had previously been through various rehab / sports physio......even the gait analysis at runners world. None of which spotted the obvious.......
Walked into the podiatrist for first time and within 2 minute diagnosed serious leg length deficiency i.e one leg was 15mm shorter than the other. The chap diagnosed this by just watching me walk into the room! (likely cause was broken leg playing football at school.....am 50 now)
Sessions were circa £40 I had 3 sessions in getting orthotics fitted. He made them up the pattern from insoles and felt pads which after a week testing went away to be made up proper +£150. Immediate improvement and much better since with leg and feet going from strength to strength. Have not been back to see him in 3 years.

Good luck.

BigBoy · 2 Jul 2019 at 00:24

Go see a Chiropractor, its more likely there is something else that's causing the pain/issue to be in your knees. I suffered a pushbike accident 8 years ago, have seen 6 different anatomical specialists to do with feet and legs and yet one visit to a Chiro and my lower back pain is reduced! Turns out the issue has nothing to do with my back, knees or spine, but all to do with the way I hold myself because of the injury caused in the accident, even though surgery "fiixed" the broken parts of my ankle the rest of my body was still compensating.

Destination · 2 Jul 2019 at 01:38

I wear insoles.
They have corrected my knees completely.
No clue on cost, mine were made in the school of poditry.
They were made using a mould of the soles of feet after gait analysis.
They’ve lasted for 20 years, never been an issue.
No clue on cost now, as mine were free then.

dowie · 2 Jul 2019 at 06:37

BigBoy said:
Go see a Chiropractor, its more likely there is something else that's causing the pain/issue to be in your knees.

Don't do this, I don't doubt that a Chiropractor will convince any number of naive patients that there is supposedly something else wrong regardless of the condition and unsurprisingly it will apparently be treated by somehow manipulating your spine a bit... oh and you should come back for plenty more visits.

They're quacks and they have no business treating your knee pain OP:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/apr/19/controversiesinscience-health