Insoles or shoes to help with foot pain

taylor04

Hi everyone!
I'm looking for some advice on insoles or types of shoes that will support and cushion my painful feet. I mainly get ball-of-foot pain and I don't have flat feet but feel that something to support my arches would also be helpful.
Can anyone recommend any insoles that they have found particularly helpful?
I've also read recently that rocker-soled shoes are supposed to be good for people with arthritic feet and that they take the pressure of the balls of your feet. Any experience of these?
Thanks!

dreamdaisy

Choice of footwear and insoles is very personal and what works for one won't for another. I tried some MBT-type shoes - lovely when on and in the shop but after? :shock: I have arthritis-affected toes, ankles, knees, sacro-iliacs and now my right hip, I have been given custom-made orthotics by the hospital and I can't say that they are helping much but it's still early days in our relationship.

Have you thought about asking for a referral to orthotics? DD

blueknees

Ask your GP to refer you to a pediatrist.

I recently got insoles issued by one and they seem to work, fallen arches (flat feet) not ball pain. (Oops perhaps I could have selected a better turn of phrase but it is Friday )

lizzieuk1

There are several types to try from the standard foam orthotics made by orthaheel, boots and several others- I use orthaheel by personal preference because you can get slim fit which are good to break you in gently and fit in shoes with a lower bridge profile, however if your arches are good you could look at a gel or memory foam insert obv full length not 3/4 if its the ball of ur foot that's sore, I would by off the shelf and try the various types then decide which you prefer they're not particularly expensive that way. If you have benefits and can get orthotics free then it would be well worth seeing a podiatrist mind if u have to pay they r expensive £100+ generally.

stickywicket

lizzieuk1 wrote:

If you have benefits and can get orthotics free then it would be well worth seeing a podiatrist mind if u have to pay they r expensive £100+ generally.

Orthotics are always free on the NHS, LizzieUk1. Even my surgical shoes are free.

lizzieuk1

stickywicket wrote:

lizzieuk1 wrote:

If you have benefits and can get orthotics free then it would be well worth seeing a podiatrist mind if u have to pay they r expensive £100+ generally.

Orthotics are always free on the NHS, LizzieUk1. Even my surgical shoes are free.

Perfect def see gp for podiatrist referral then x

rockchick

Lizzie, it gets even better - in many areas you can refer yourself to podiatry, without seeing your GP

Taylor, if you do a search on rocker soles on the forum, you will find a few threads about them. I happen to love them, and find they are the only type I can wear when my feet are really bad. MBTs are great, but expensive, and you do need to make sure they fit well. But other companies have caught on now, and many of them make a rocker sole style trainer/shoe, so worth shopping around. Orthotics can be really useful, but sometimes it's just nice to not have to think about what you put in your shoes
But bear in mind any new type of footwear/insole etc might take a while to get used to. Often it's worth wearing them for a short time, and build up gradually.

dibdab

The Rheumatology OT gave me gel insoles for my sore feet- they didn't cost anything- they help a bit- it may be asking OT of they can help.

Deb

PowerOn

Going to get them on NHS is a good way to go, I got mine through the NHS and they have made a wonderful difference to my feet.
Mine have heels )taller on one side then the other as I walk knock kneed!) which have destroyed my shoes-dug holes inside the inner part of the shoes-I showed them to physiotherapist and he said sometimes that happens but keep wearing the insoles-they did not ruin my trainers.
The shoes are not flat inside and the trainers are.

frogmorton

Balls of feet hurt!!

I have some hot*er shoes which are lovely and spongy so take some of heh impact out, but I do tend to agree with the others and an appointment with podiatry would a sensible idea.

Love

Toni xx