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Over and under pronation in the same person.
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Good morning,
I have just got back into running after about 30 years and I am using general purpose Everlast training shoes.
I have been looking at running shoes and the theory behind them and I am wondering if I am an unusual case that is not catered for.
I appreciate that the internet is a dangerous place where one piece of incorrect information gets copied over and over again, but I have come the conclusion that I under pronate on the right foot and over pronate on the left.
For example if I look at my shoes, both have very uneven and heavy wear on the right side of the heel, obviously this is the outside for the right shoe and the inside for the left shoe. The wear around the big toe and front outside edge is completely different for each foot.
I am quite heavy and fairly flat footed, but my right ankle has been broken a couple of times and often there is a clicking noise when I rotate it. So over pronation seem to fit the typical pattern for my left foot and an odd shaped ankle could easily override this for the right.
I have never seen a retailer of a pair of shoes with different support strategies for each foot, this makes me somewhat concerned as to what a retailer can offer. It seems to be a big ask for a specialist shop to do a quick gait analysis and have the necessary level of expertise to come up with a customised solution rather than select from a standard range of options.
Any thoughts anyone?
Thanks and bye
Ian
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Comments
Sounds difficult Ian. For sure, you won't find a pair of running shoes with different support strategies in each foot.
Trying neutral shoes is an option... but if your need for support is high, then orthotics can be be an option, although I've no personal experience
you don't say if there is anything actually wrong with the shoes you are using; is there a problem?
When I had gait analysis done at one specialist shop, I discovered I had more severe pronation in my left ankle than my right. I was recommended a stability shoe which was designed to correct the more severe over pronating left foot (and therefore over corrected the right foot).
When I visited a second specialist shop they told me as I had torn a ligament in my left ankle 5 months previously the severe over pronation could well be due to the injury and weak muscles. They recommended that I do lots of ankle strengthening exercises to reduce the over pronation as this was a better approach than just relying on stability shoes to correct the problem.
After a few months of strengthening exercises I now have similar degrees of pronation in both feet and can wear neutral shoes. This approach might not suit you but as you have previously broken your ankle it could account for the difference.
Just to add, how much the degree of pronation you exhibit is a bad or good thing for you depends on how you run e.g. your form and foot striking pattern (heel or fore/mid foot ). It doesn't necessarily mean you need support shoes. These articles might be of interest:
http://footstrikescience.wordpress.com/2012/02/16/lower-limb-injuries-and-long-distance-running-lets-blame-pronation/
http://footstrikescience.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/lower-limb-injuries-and-long-distance-running-lets-blame-pronation-part-2/
Good morning
Thanks for the suggestions
I haven't found a problem running in general purpose trainers, I was thinking along the lines of if someone makes “better” shoes and most serious runners have them, then I should at least try them.
One of the reasons that I stopped running a long time ago is that I woke up one morning and couldn’t bend my knee, it wasn’t swollen or anything, it just wouldn’t bend.
The more that I read the more confused I became about stability shoes, running barefoot and will I benefit from some support or is it all just marketing hype!
I cycle a lot and there have been a lot of changes in bikes and shoes over time, some good and some good for professionals and a real pain for average users.
When I stated we had 5 cogs on the rear wheel, now there are 8-11, this is great for selecting the correct gear for the absolute fastest ride, but not really necessary for pottering around the country side. The downside is much shorter component life, chains that only last 6-8 weeks!
I know what specialist bike shops try to sell and I know that it often contrary to what I need and at the moment I feel the same way about many of the more complex shoe solutions. Especially when it means going beyond the range of stock products into semi custom solutions, Kittih’s experience seems to suggest that this is at least a reasonable concern.
Given how short my runs are at present, I am going to stay with general purpose trainers and re-visit the shoe question when they wear out.
It does make sense to me to see what the situation is like when I have gotten back into running shape.
Gut feeling is that I will try neutral shoes or remain with general purpose trainers and only if there is a problem look at orthotics and stability shoes.
Thanks everyone.
Bye
Ian
It's probably important for you to try to develop a mid-foot landing, relaxed ankles...and don't over-stride (good advice whatever shoe you use)