Podiatry-issued orthotics. Off-the-shelf vs Custom made?

michaelx105

Hi there.
I've just signed up and need a little help. My feet have suffered excess pronation (fallen arches) since I was a small boy (20 years ago) and started to get custom made orthotics since the age of eleven. These worked fine, I got new ones each year, and they helped to realign my feet and possibly prevent it getting worse.

I moved to London a few years ago and signed up with a new podiatrist. They started giving me off-the-shelf orthotics (which are far cheaper) adding little glue-on wedges underneath as appropriate. They say they work just as well as custom made ones but I'm not so sure.

Since wearing them, I've developed constant pain in my right-hand big toe joint. They say it could be arthritis and that it would have developed anyway regardless of the orthotics. Now I have it in the other big toe joint.

Custom made orthotics always seem like a better option since the account for your exact size, shape and severity of the problem, all of which surely vary from person to person. Are off-the-shelf orthotics really as effective/suitable or is the NHS being cheap? Is anyone else in this situation? Should I just push for the custom version/get a referral to someone in the NHS that still routinely provides them?

joanlawson

Hi Michael

It seems too much of a coincidence that the pain in your toes has developed since you had the off-the-shelf orthotics. I was given similar ones for plantar fasciitis, and they just made matters worse. When I showed them to my doctor, he was horrified at how poor they were.

I think you should ask for the custom made ones again, and keep on until you get them. Good luck!

Joan

madwestie

Michael, I went to the biomachanics clinic 2 weeks ago and i was given some off the shelf insoles to use whilst i wait for the custom made ones to be sent to me (12 week wait).
I have never had the custom made ones but the off the shelf ones are not very good.
I can't say about the custome made ones but they did sounds a lot better to me.

elnafinn

Hi Michael

I would think that there would be no comparison between off the shelf orthotics and custom made ones. Custom made every time, in my opinion.

Years ago when I had problems I had plastercasts made of my feet and then received the orthotics and they were a great asset. Now I no longer have a need for them which is great for me, but I still keep them, just in case.

I would push for custom made ones if you possibly can. You will find no problem in finding these if you go privately but why should you have to resort to that.

Good luck and I wish you well

Elna