Hi - yes, deadly dull I know but I'd be grateful to hear people's views on orthotics if poss (mainly of the "do they help" variety). I got a knee injury about 10 months ago which knocked my running out for several weeks, probably an impact injury from overtraining for a half marathon (a bad case of enthusiasticus beginneritus) as the response from my GP was "some people can run, some people can't - if it happens again, you can't!" and my sports physio couldn't find any damage apart from the usual creaky knee stuff, however during treatment took to peering closely at my shoes & suggested giving orthotics a go, despite not finding any real evidence of pronation etc or that my running style was particularly wacky. It seems quite an expensive way of giving something a go, so I just wondered if anybody else found it helpful? I'm doing the usual stuff like sorbothame insoles, fish oils, glucosamine, leg-muscle-strengthening exercises & cross-training such as swimming/cycling/hill-climbing etc and am being super-sensible in increasing my speed/distance & endurance running training, however would dearly love to conquer half & full marathons & reply to an invitation to join the local Harriers without feeling I'd be asking too much of my knee. Knee is holding up fine at mo' on 10k's bar the occasional warning twinge or stiffening in last 1/2 mile if I start to get carried away (triggers immediate stop & rest up for a day or two). Have orthotics transformed anybody's life please or do the army of gammy-knee-ites have any handy tips? Thanks!
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regards steve.
Had mine for 12-13 years - getting rid of them was the best thing I ever did. But it takes a LOT of patience to allow the body to strengthen up its weaknesses - orthotics "cover" those weaknesses while they get weaker still...
Because they then do the job the foot is not doing the foot gets weaker and weaker. So in a sense, they make the problem worse.
A lot of this comes down to a warped approach to shoes too. The more expensive your running shoes the more likely you are to be injured.
It is just another symptom of a quick fix society...
Answering specifics:
You CAN get over pronation and supination. Strengthening the foot and lower leg can reduce pronation considerably. Also running with minimal contact with the ground and without the extended heel to toe progression, which is ONLY possible due to cushioning in shoes, will also remove this issue and make shoes last much much longer.
You WILL see amazing transformations - the problem as been accommodated, the pain has gone. The does not mean the problem has been fixed. A pragmatic approach is not always the best one long term.
A pod visit may cost £30, but the orthotics certainly will not!
As an aside I was told by an orthopedic surgeon the same nonsense about not being a natural runner and that I shouldn't run as much etc. Utter rubbish!
Pantman is correct is many ways that the more you run, the stronger you'll get. What is important is that you don't over do it and listen to your body.
Best of luck
I picked up an ITBS-related hip ache and the beginnings of shin-splints from doing too much too soon I think, and went to podiatrist, thinking I would treat the cause, not the symptom. He did the whole gait analysis thing, declared that I pronate and recommended orthotics. The way he put it was that if you're long/short sighted you get glasses and don't think twice, and the same applies to feet and orthotics.
Anyway I got the orthotics, a good sports massage sorted out my hip, and touch wood I have had no problems since and just run my first marathon. I'm happy with them.