Orthotic shoes

mummyb
mummyb Member Posts: 1,231
edited 18. Sep 2011, 04:50 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi guys, its a while since I've been around, but hoped that someone would be able to offer some advice. I had a podiatrist appointment earlier in the week where, after much prodding, poking and walking around, the man has prescribed some shoes and an ankle splint.

I was wondering if anyone else has had experience of this and what to expect in the way of shoes. He was keen to check out that I would actually wear the shoes before he made the referral to the orthotics team. It would appear that I will have "stock" shoes rather than custom made ones which they say offers a bit more variety of styles. I was just wondering if anyone could help with this, I'm now waiting for an appointment with the orthotic team and also a scan of my ankle.

Thanks very much for reading this and best wishes to everyone that I've missed over the past few months, I hope you are managing to achieve a level of comfort.

My RA has been progressing and I have been fighting off a flare for months now, they keep giving me short courses of prednisolone which help, but as soon as I stop taking them, the flaring begins again, so I have now been referred to a Biologics clinic. Hopefully this might help to sort things out a bit.

Thanks so much for always being here and hello again to all my friends old and new.

Lots of gentle hugs, Brenda xxx :grin:

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,822
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh Brenda!

    It IS good to see you but not good to hear you have been suffering so very much :sad:

    Gentle hugs from me to you too.

    I remember someone else having this sort of stuff prescrbed not so long back and if l remember rightly she (it was a female!) chose some trainers and some more normal shoes.

    I have no personal experience though sorry, but I think it will be a really good idea and hope they help you loads.

    Love and welcome back

    Toni xx
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Brenda
    Its good to see you back...but sorry you are suffering so much...I cant help with your question, but I do hope you stay around then we can support you.
    Sending you lots of hugs ((((())))
    Love
    Barbara
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I hope you can get the flares sorted. Pred is a kind of beautiful monster. Very, very seductive but not good long term.

    I’ve had surgical shoes most of my life – long before they started with the stock ones so I can’t really say much about them except, yes, you do get a choice. The thing with both kinds is that they really support your feet and correct stuff that’s wrong because of not just the feet but knees and hips above them too. Sometimes they feel a bit funny at first, especially if you’ve been putting pressure on all the wrong bits for a long time.

    The reason they want assurances that you’ll wear them is because of cost – both to make and repair. (If they’ve to customise soles & heels they’ll also have to do all the repairs and they’re free.) Also some people get them, decide they don’t look nice enough so carry on wearing their old ones.

    They usually give you 2 pairs and you should wear them all the time except maybe just pottering round the house, but even then you should be in them more often than not.

    I hope they help you. I can, literally, hardly walk without mine these days. I used to tell my old orthotist I reckoned he had done as much to keep me walking as the surgeons.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Brenda

    Sorry that you have been suffering over the past few months.
    Good luck with the biologics treatment, I hope it helps you. :smile:

    As for the shoes...I havent had a splint so I can not comment on that one, but the shoes I have had. My first pair I hated they were horrible. Not at all stylish because they went to the pattern of my foot. They were very wide at the front and narrow at the back and reminded me of the playing card the ace of spade. :sad: ....They were supportive though and comfortable. I didn't wear them much and always with trousers.
    For my second pair I took a copy of the hotter book and asked them to try and copy a lace up design. He then showed me a mag that they use and there was one similar.
    They were not too bad but again needed trousers with them. I wore them a while and then decided to buy my own from co**y***t.

    That was a good few years ago and maybe they have updated their styles.
    This is my opinion ONLY. When you see the catalogue you may be pleasantly surprised....Hope so :smile:

    juliepf x
  • mummyb
    mummyb Member Posts: 1,231
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Toni, Barbara, Sticky and Julie, thank you so much for your kind words and advice, it was gratefully received. Its good to hear that the shoes help and give much needed support to your feet. I hope to be able to find some that look ok and help at the same time.

    Its good to be back in touch and I'll pop in again soon, thanks again girls, lots of love and hugs
    Brenda :grin:
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,822
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Make sure you do Brenda

    Love

    Toni xxx a060.gif