Orthotics - worth it?

rossyl

rossyl

rossyl

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EDIT:


Can anyone recommend a decent (but cheap) podiatrist anywhere in London?

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Firstly this is not medical advice I'm after, I'm not doing open heart surgery!! Just opinion on what I've been quoted is too high, if there are cheaper alternatives and what you've found helped your feet.

Thanks...

I always get pain in the arches of my feet after a long day in shoes, and I oftn have lower back pain, when running I get various pain in my feet, along the top of my foot running up the front of my leg.

One of my friends commented that i have flat feet. on closer inspection and visit to a GP I indeed do. The GP suggested I get orthotics.

Having looked into the costs - it seems pretty high. All in I'm look at about £285-335 all in (initial review, gait analysis, cast of feet and the actual orthotic).

Having done a bit of research it seems that opinion is a little divided on these. I'm beginning to wonder whether the cost is a bit too high for the reward, in that they may not work?

I have a pair of Dr Scholl's that I am yet to use. But i'm thinking they won't neccessarily "fix" the problem.
 
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It's that expensive!?!?! I've just come back from seeing a podiatrist and thankfully he said my feet were just within the normal boundaries so I should just leave them for now. Saved me £300+!
 
You have been quoted too much.

I've had the initial consultation, casting and have regular reviews. Costs for me looked like:

Initial review: £45
30 min consultations: £35 (casting included in one of these sessions)
Orthhotic: £48
 
The are vital and the cost depends where you are and what you get.

My orthotics cost around £350 in total. It also depends what kind of orthotic you need, sports, general support, etc. I could have got cheaper ones, but the milled plastic ones I have should mean that they will never lose their shape or break.

I can get the top surfaces refurbised for free for life and the orthotic itself is guaranteed for life.
 
Basher said:
You have been quoted too much.

I've had the initial consultation, casting and have regular reviews. Costs for me looked like:

Initial review: £45
30 min consultations: £35 (casting included in one of these sessions)
Orthhotic: £48
Click to expand...

[DOD]Asprilla;13645647 said:
The are vital and the cost depends where you are and what you get.

My orthotics cost around £350 in total. ....
Click to expand...


Do you both mind letting me know where you went?

Also Basher - what is the guarantee and quality like of yours, given what Asprilla has said?

Thank you.
 
How come you all had to pay for it? Is it private? I was referred to a podiatrist and I am having a cast made for both my flat feet, and they have given me orthotic inserts to use for the time being, for free. Obviously the only downside it sitting on a waiting list, but I had to wait something like 9 weeks before I was seen.

By the way, it's worth stressing that you'll never be able to 'fix' flat feet permamently. I believe there is a surgical procedure that can try to give you arches, but it rarely works (so my podiatrist said).
 
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Is there a medical reason why you would need orthotics?

My flat mean that I get knee pain when running, but AFAIK that's not enough to qualify for decent othotics on the NHS. It doesn't affect my life normally.
 
Well I got patella tendinitis and severe pains in my knee from running, which I suppose is a medical condition. Given that it was all self inflicted though, I doubt I'd have got a referral.

I suppose something like hyper-obesity/genetic defect in the knee might get you a referral.
 
rossyl said:
Do you both mind letting me know where you went?

Also Basher - what is the guarantee and quality like of yours, given what Asprilla has said?

Thank you.
Click to expand...

I went to a private practice in Droitwich. Quality is spot on and comes with a lifetime guarantee. The consultant makes modifications (as appropriate/needed) at any review sessions I have.
 
That seems way over the top considering you've only had an initial diagnosis. The podiatrists that I've seen advise starting on off-the-shelf orthotics (about £25) which they tune with wedges if necessary. Custom orthotics may then be used if the off-the-shelf ones are unable to correct your problem.

I use tuned Orthaheel sport orthotics which do the job nicely.
 
I had planar fasciitis , (really sore feet - fallen foot arch) for about 6 months
Went to Doc got refeered to a foot specialist , diagnosed and got casts
of my feet taken ( 6 weeks later got special inserts for my shoes )
2 Weeks later no more pain :-)

Cost = 0 (NHS)

The off the shelf inserts will help , but custom made ones are a permanent solution.

Any reason why people like paying for these ?
 
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wombraider said:
I had planar fasciitis , (really sore feet - fallen foot arch) for about 6 months
Went to Doc got refeered to a foot specialist , diagnosed and got casts
of my feet taken ( 6 weeks later got special inserts for my shoes )
2 Weeks later no more pain :-)

Cost = 0 (NHS)

The off the shelf inserts will help , but custom made ones are a permanent solution.

Any reason why people like paying for these ?
Click to expand...

philstanbridge said:
How come you all had to pay for it? Is it private? I was referred to a podiatrist and I am having a cast made for both my flat feet, and they have given me orthotic inserts to use for the time being, for free. Obviously the only downside it sitting on a waiting list, but I had to wait something like 9 weeks before I was seen.

By the way, it's worth stressing that you'll never be able to 'fix' flat feet permamently. I believe there is a surgical procedure that can try to give you arches, but it rarely works (so my podiatrist said).
Click to expand...

philstanbridge: Did you have an actual "condition", like wombraider? As have flat feet, but not something that may be too bad.

Thanks.
 
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