Re: Effectiveness of shoe raises for pain/mobility

Helenspence
Helenspence Member Posts: 7
edited 9. Dec 2011, 04:04 in Living with Arthritis archive
Dear Forum,

I am a relatively new poster on the forum but have lived with hip/knee problems, severe arthritis and hypermobility for mosr of my life.
I have a significant leg length difference, and am interested to know if anyone has had good pain relief or easier mobility after having a shoe raise?
I am not expecting miracels, but after one knee replacement my other knee is now very painful and could be replaced. I have also been offered a brace/shoe raise and am wondering if this might be enough on its own to put off surgery (I am 43 so this is an issue).
I would be very grateful for any thoughts (good and bad) on shoe raises, I did have one previously and eventually gave up with it as it didn't seemn to help much. As my problems seemed to change after the first knee replacement it seems wise to try again and am interested in how much other people found that their raises helped with pain particularly but also with achieving a more "functional" (i.e. less damaging gait for my joints) walking pattern.

Kind regards,

Helen

Comments

  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Helen

    Pennie has started a thread further down the page entitled Hypermobility & Ehlers Danlos syndrome.Not sure if that is any help to you. I hope forum members with any experience on shoe raises will see your posting and be able to help.

    Hugs
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • Helenspence
    Helenspence Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Elna I will check out the EDS/HM thread.

    Helen
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi Helen,

    my kid brother had to have a raised shoe following a big op on his femur and he said they really helped.

    i hope you can get some help and the shoe thing from his experience i would say give it a go..... Cris x
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have 2 inserts in my shoes, which do seem to help the hip pain a bit but thats not the same as you, I think.
    Love Suexx
  • Helenspence
    Helenspence Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My sisters children also have show inserts for EDS, but they have much milder problems to me.
    Hopefully I will get the shoes next week, then we'll see.

    Thanks for all the psots.
  • penfactor
    penfactor Member Posts: 366
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Helen
    Oh my goodness yes, definitely see the othotics consultant & get measured for for an orthosis. I have a leg length difference of 1 and half inches & do not know what I would do without mine. My guy said it is really just slightly too low but to see how I get on with the insert first as the next size up would require a full shoe adaption.
    Without it the strain on my hips (real & replaced), back and legs was terrible. My limp & gait is extremely wonky!
    No harm in trying as if you don't get on with it at least you have tried.
    Pennie

    P.S Hi Elna, thank you for the referral! XX
  • Helenspence
    Helenspence Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for that, I hope that it will help, but as I think you say, my gait is also very untypical to say the least, so it is hard to know what effect the raise (and it is one on the outside of the shoe - at 2") will have. Hoping I won't find it too hard to drive in as changing shoes is a pain.

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