Orthotics dilemma

scozzie

Hi all

I've been having problems with my feet for ages; OA in my feet, knees and hands; and last July, when OA diagnosis was confirmed, the rheumy recommended I see a podiatrist. Which I duly did and was given basic orthotics to try and if they didn't work I was to be referred to a biomechanic - which I was, as the basic orthotics seemed to cause fairly severe ankle pain (both of them ... lol).

Anyway the biomechanic fashioned me a pair of more sophisticated orthotics which, coupled with an ankle jab, seemed to work great for about three months or so - then after sitting around for ages in cold conditions in early May my feet/ankles started to hurt again and by the time I could get back into the biomechanic again my left knee was becoming unbearable as well. The knee was sore even when lying down, the soreness was internal as it didn't hurt to touch.

On the subsequent visit, the biomechanic couldn't understand how my feet and knee could suddenly regress painwise, after the orthotics were working so well! As a result she replaced my orthotics with a different pair, and after a few days I went for a walk. At the end of this walk I noticed the front of the sole of my left foot, about halfway between the ball and the outside of the foot was rather painful, at first I thought I had blister or something but there was/is nothing obvious to explain the tenderness.

Now here's my dilemma - if I wear the old orthotic I feel little soreness, if any in the sole of my foot, but when I wear the new one or even no orthotic my foot is painful - yet the new one has relieved the soreness in my left knee and with the old one the pain in my knee is starting to return!

HELP!!!

And my job requires me to be on my feet!

I am scheduled for another cortisone jab at the end of the month and I'm gonna ask to have my right ankle and left knee done at the same time and I have a follow up appointment with the biomechanic in six weeks time.

And on top of all soreness in my feet and knee my hands have decided not to be left out - with the almost constant feeling of toothaches in most of those joints ... lol! It doesn't rain ... it pours! lol

Sorry for my long winded moan, but thanks for letting me vent!

Take care
Scozzie

valval

hi have no experiance in this but could you not give them a ring and get them to have alook they might be able to help does sound strange one. as for the pain it not good is it val

frogmorton

Scozzie!!

What on earth can you do? (well that was me no use at all wasn't it?!)

am I right in thinking that one type helps with one issue but no one pair of orthotics helps with everything?

Remember how many tiny joints there are in feet. he odd 'blister-like' pain could easily be a wee joint playing up. Though I can't see there is one in that precise point. Did it go off on resting?

In your shoes (and PLEASE pardon the pun :oops: ) I would definitely be getting back to the podiatrist/biomechanic if you can and try to explain the situation. Especially that you have to stand for work.

Good luck Scozzie

Love

Toni xx

stickywicket

Oh scozzie, if you read my recent thread you will know that the orthotics dept and I have a love/hate relationship. On the one hand, without the brilliant old orthotist who died, I would have been unable to walk for the last 40 years or so. On the other hand, under the new system, there are constant problems.

From what you've written it sound as if there must be a problem with the new orthotic insoles. It started as soon as you wore them. The only other remote possibility is that, on that occasion, your tights or socks were ever so slightly bunched up and they caused the problem (and these problems never go away instantly just because you've removed the source of them).

In your place, I'd go back to orthotics asap, explain and say it must be the new insole. All it would take would be a very slight blip in the manufacturing process. Tiny things make enormous differences, both for good and bad.

I'm afraid I don't know what you do in the meantime. I constantly juggle between one kind of pain and another, choosing which I'll have that day. I hope you can get it sorted and quickly.

Annah

I went to a biomechanicist/podiatrist who was brilliant, but the thing differing with my treatment was that he took several months of varying temporary orthotics before finally manufacturing the bespoke, permanent orthotics for my feet.

The reason he gave for this was two-fold: firstly, I have a very complicated situation with my feet (soft tissue as well as bone/joint problems) and it was not possible to be sure what design would suit me best without trying it. Secondly, he said my feet had to get used to the orthotics, otherwise they'd be very uncomfortable.

It took about three months before he had found a satisfactory shape for the orthotics, decided on the relevant firmness of the orthotic, and my feet had adjusted to being supported, and no longer felt strange or hurt. Only then did I get the premanent orthotics, and they have been brilliant, although I still can't walk far and I still have quite bad pain. But without orthotics, I am really quite disabled so they improve the situation significantly.

What occurs to me is that maybe, being on the NHS, your podiatrist simply hasn't had the time she needs to fit you properly? Also, should there be a period of adjustment for the orthotics, or is it expected that you should be able to wear them all day from day one? (I'm suspecting not). Lastly, what sort of relief should you expect from the orthotics? I was never lead to expect 100% relief of my symptoms, just something to stop my feet being further damaged and creating knock-on damage to my knees and ankles. Perhaps they've been rather 'over-sold' to you, or perhaps there has been a problem of communication with your podiatrist?

If I were you, I'd write down my concerns and if you can, go and see her and explain them to her. If not, write her a letter asking for clarification. I'm sorry your feet hurt - I do relate, but perhaps there is more that can be done.

skezier

Hi Scozzie,

Hard choice there but get back to them as it does sound like something is wrong with the shoes though good they help the leg. I don't know how quick they can see you but as to which you ware i the mean time... which ever do the least pain I think. Thats the overall pain in foot and leg might be the best thing till you been see again.

Can you ring them an talk to them to see what they recommend you doing in the mean time? hang in there and I hoe they will get it sorted soon. Cris x