Orthotics and fell shoes

[mr brightside]

I use them for fells to alleviate my ITBS and they work, not sure if a calf problem will need orthotics so fingers crossed.

[johnmc]

Hi,

I have been having problems with pain in my calfs. My physiotherapist has suggested that I see a podiatrist who I am going to see on Tuesday. I suspect she will prescribe orthotics and I want to know if it is worth going down that route (and if it is worth the expence). I know that many people do not recommend them for the fells, but I would use them mostly for off road training on tracks, grass, small hills; nothing to technical at the moment and also on the road .

Thanks.

If your orthotics work then your physio has done you a favour and themselves out of a regular client. I'm glad I took my physios advice and ended up with orthotics; I've easily saved the cost of them by not getting recurring calf problems AND I'm able to run. The only person who has lost out is my physio!

[Twister]

Personally, I would do everything I can to avoid orthotics. Read about barefoot/natural/minimalist running on the internet.

[SEFTON]

which orthotics are you guys wearing? superfeet?

[Antisocial]

i have orthotics and could not run without them, had a number of gait related problems that manifested themselves in different ways including calf pain. I bought some via a private orthopaedist originally and though they helped they did not stop everything and he did not do anything other than tinker with them. However I then got refferred to an NHS sports clinic and was seen by a physio and an orthopaedist, the combination of orthotics and prescibed stretching has worked wonders.

Use my inserts in all races and shoes without any issues, so I would recomend that you go for it, but look around for someone with a good rep and who will work in tandem with your physio.

[SEFTON]

what kind of stretching are you doing?

[Vinegar Hill]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Will see what happens tonight.

[wycoller]

which orthotics are you guys wearing? superfeet?

I wear superfeet (green) in my inov8s and custom orthotics from the hospital in my normal shoes.

Regarding the comment about barefeet that assumes that you are OK to start with. I shouldn't really be running at all!

[Antisocial]

what kind of stretching are you doing?

As well as usual running ones. For back a number of pilates ball exercises to stregthen core, back and buttock muscles. For plantar/feet/ankles - calf stretches and various ones using a large elastic band on the side and ball of my foot.

[Twister]

Just out of interest. Did your calf pain come on after purchasing new shoes? Do you run on roads and trails in built up shoes (high heels, loads of cushioning, support features) and switch to fell shoes (with low heel, minimal cushioning, lower profile) for fell? Do you normally heel strike when running?

Far too many people just add to their problems with orthotics instead of addressing underlying issues first.