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Post by darthmusturd on Mar 11, 2022 20:59:05 GMT -8
Hi, yall. So, I have horribly flat feet. Most shoes are uncomfortable. Also, it hurts to stand in one place for a while. Walking is excruciating after some period of time and uncomfortable after a short period of time. Do any of y'all have any recommendation towards solutions to this? To those of you that don't know how this works, basically the arches in our feet are diminished or gone, and thus, don't absorb shock well. So, in normal life, especially carrying a hiking bag, walking becomes very painful. Also it affects the way we walk in general.
Any help is appreciated, ranging from recommendations of footwear, insoles, habits, exercises, etc.
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Post by stevet on Mar 13, 2022 5:59:26 GMT -8
My feet aren’t exactly flat, but my arches collapse under any load. (Including body weight). This creates a tearing sensation in my arch as it stretches with each step, requires wearing overly large shoes so my toes don’t jam and a host of stresses on my ankles, knees, and hips as they try to compensate.
I tried various off the shelf inserts from those with stiff arch support (e.g. Superfeet) to those with more pliable (e.g. Spence) any nothing helped. About 20 years ago I got fitted with custom orthotics, 3/4 length. They slip into my dress shoes (those without any cushioned foot bed) any I slide them under the footbed of my running and hiking shoes.
The most notable feature, besides being hard plastic, is the arch is about 2x taller than any of the off the shelf products. I effectively had high arches but the muscles in my feet didn’t support them.
These have been transformative. My feet are not a problem with these. Hiking distance, with heavy loads, running, etc. all no problem.
I guess the short point is, if you haven’t already, visit a podiatrist and see what s/he says about orthotics and their ability to help you.
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Post by darthmusturd on Mar 13, 2022 9:11:54 GMT -8
...I guess the short point is, if you haven’t already, visit a podiatrist and see what s/he says about orthotics and their ability to help you. Well, I have a trip planned for a podiatrist, but it's the day after I get done with my hike. I've been looking at some of the inserts from Amazon, but they're mighty expensive and I wanted to know if those worked for anyone here or not. Or if anyone has any home remedies.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Mar 13, 2022 11:28:29 GMT -8
Expensive? Wait until the podiatrist recommends a custom insert costing upwards of $400. Medicare doesn't cover it. As for home remedies, how much arch support can you fashion onto an insert before it works? How many times are you willing to suffer through a failed experiment? My podiatrist took a plaster mold of my foot before the lab built my orthotic. I'll let you know when I finally adjust to it. It isn't being delivered to me for another week or 2, and there is an adjustment period.
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Post by darthmusturd on Mar 13, 2022 12:27:45 GMT -8
Expensive? Wait until the podiatrist recommends a custom insert costing upwards of $400 How long do they last at least? Miles wise I mean, or will they outlast me?
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Mar 13, 2022 12:37:46 GMT -8
Dr claims it'll last 10 years but will need a recovering before then. Of course, he also said my foot may change before then as well. If I get 5 yrs out of it, I'll be happy. Not so sure how many more long walk years I have left.
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Post by darthmusturd on Mar 13, 2022 12:40:27 GMT -8
well, way to put a damper on things. I suppose, though, the more you use them the longer they last because your foot will mold to the inserts and change less over time. At least, I suppose that's what will happen in my non-medical opinion.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Mar 13, 2022 17:24:14 GMT -8
Expensive? Wait until the podiatrist recommends a custom insert costing upwards of $400 How long do they last at least? Miles wise I mean, or will they outlast me? I've been wearing custom orthotics since 2002. One pair is very hard, which I wear in dress shoes. The other is more flexible, designed for running, but which I also use in hiking boots. I plan to replace them this year, and probably should have a couple years ago. For me, they were worth every bit of the absurd cost.
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Post by darthmusturd on Mar 13, 2022 21:36:26 GMT -8
How long do they last at least? Miles wise I mean, or will they outlast me? I've been wearing custom orthotics since 2002. One pair is very hard, which I wear in dress shoes. The other is more flexible, designed for running, but which I also use in hiking boots. I plan to replace them this year, and probably should have a couple years ago. For me, they were worth every bit of the absurd cost. Wouldn't you want the harder pair in your hiking boots for more support? I mean, I haven't gotten a orthotic for hiking. Only use the Dr Scholl's arch support things on and off. They work well enough. But, they only keep me comfortable for so long.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Mar 14, 2022 5:58:58 GMT -8
Wouldn't you want the harder pair in your hiking boots for more support? I mean, I haven't gotten a orthotic for hiking. Only use the Dr Scholl's arch support things on and off. They work well enough. But, they only keep me comfortable for so long. The flexible ones don't give much less support. They're still very stiff compared to off-the-shelf insoles, but they have touch of flex on impact. I got them after a collapsed arch, which I thought would get better on its own, especially when I gave it two months off from running. However, it got steadily worse and after another four months I could hardly walk without pain. Fortunately I could work out on an elliptical trainer in spite of that. Six weeks after getting the orthotics I was able to run a half marathon PR, so it made a huge difference for me. The hard orthotics are absolutely rigid, thick plexiglass with hard rubber heels. They extend only the length of the longitudinal arch, not under the forefoot, like the more flexible ones. That means they don't have as much pronation control, which is achieved with a prominence under the ball of the foot, although the arch shape plays a part, too.
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Post by darthmusturd on Mar 14, 2022 9:05:26 GMT -8
...That means they don't have as much pronation control, which is achieved with a prominence under the ball of the foot, although the arch shape plays a part, too... So, you're able to move your feet a little bit less for balance? well, my balance is awful anyways. how much worse can it get? especially with that 4 foot tall 80 pound bag with all that sway. gonna be tripping every time I get on something with more angle than a treadmill
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Mar 14, 2022 10:00:22 GMT -8
So, you're able to move your feet a little bit less for balance? well, my balance is awful anyways. They don't affect balance at all, apart from occupying a little more volume in the shoe that takes some adjustment. The first thing I noticed was that it didn't hurt anymore and it felt a bit different. It didn't take long to adapt.
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Post by darthmusturd on Mar 14, 2022 10:11:01 GMT -8
Well, that sounds really good then. Maybe I'll finally be able to use real hiking boots. Up until now I've been using cowboy boots for most everything as they provide slightly more support for low arches. But, of course, cowboy boots are awful for the trail because of the high heels.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Mar 14, 2022 10:23:57 GMT -8
The downside is that volume becomes more of a factor in shoe choice, especially if you have a high instep. That's much less of an issue with laced boots than cowboy boots (or derbies compared to oxfords). I can wear my hard orthotics easily in cowboy boots, but the more flexible ones can be a tougher fit in the toes. They work OK for me in ropers (not that I wear them much).
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Post by darthmusturd on Mar 14, 2022 10:27:49 GMT -8
I basically have the worst feet on the planet. Ingrown toenails. Flat feet. Also, my feet are short and wide. Ropers and cowboy boots just fit me better in general, surprisingly, but I might just have to wear them in cowboy boots and be careful about my footing. There ain't much rock climbing in the south east compared to, well, the rockies.
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