Hi, I've been having heel pains mainly around the ball and back of the heels. I have really flat feet and wear flats and slip-on casual shoes. I am looking at buying some orthotic insoles for Plantar Fasciitis. Are they effective? Or should I just buy plain gel insoles that would provide cushioning to the heels? After some looking around have shortlisted Footlogics Plantar Fasciitis insole or vionic Gel heel orthotic. I would be happy to hear some reviews and experiences in general. Thanks!
Orthotic Insoles - Are They Effective?
LKaraZorEl on 11/04/2018 - 10:53
Comments
Mostly ineffective
In a recent review, the findings of which were published this month in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers from Denmark and the Netherlands looked at 20 papers on orthotics and found no evidence for their effectiveness over a placebo.
The combined studies showed “foot orthoses [were] not superior for improving pain and function compared with [a] sham,” the researchers wrote.
It’s not the first review to find limited effectiveness for custom orthotics – a Cochrane review, considered the gold-standard for scientific evidence, came to similar conclusions back in 2008. But that has not stopped many podiatrists from eagerly recommending them.https://www.smh.com.au/national/expensive-orthotics-no-bette…
Might be better off investing in better shoes
"Might be better off investing in better shoes"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volley_(shoe)
Disclaimer: I am a podiatrist. All advice is general only etc.
Off-the-shelf orthotic insoles can be effective, but in my professional opinion, your foot biomechanics and the fit/design of the orthotics should be checked by a professional to ensure it will achieve the desired outcomes for yourself.
Gel insoles are generally useless - the sensation of gel padding is a placebo effect at best and would do nothing to help the underlying degeneration of the plantar fascia, if that is what you have. They may be suitable if the source of your heel pain is atrophy of the heel fat pad, and not any other biomechanical causes.
Is there a way to prevent the "atrophy of the heel fat pad" or is it just bad luck?
Generally related to age and genetics, or a whole other variety of factors such as arthritis, diabetes and your foot type. So overall it's down to your health and luck. There's a small element you can control, including weight and shoewear (e.g. avoid high heels). Personally, I haven't seen many patients with this.
I do not know much about podiatry and I am genuinely interested in facts regarding your profession.
I am flat footed, ie hypermobile pes planus.
I have been advised by colleagues in the medical profession (whom are more liberal with evidence based practice) that orthotics may help. I am absolute on evidence based advise - if there is inconclusive evidence, I never bring it up with patients/anyone, discuss, let alone recommend treatment. (I exclude exploratory surgery as I do not consider it treatment.)
Is the use of orthotics to manage, let alone fix, flat footedness supported by evidence?
Thank you for your response. I was hoping to avoid going to Podiatrist (against my better judgement, I must admit). But maybe I will consider now.
why not try my suggestion with barefoot type of shoes. i swear works for me.
I'd be going to a pro with Plantar Fasciitis.
www.google.com.au/search?q=podiatrist+near+me
Treatment options
1. Orthotics / Innersoles
2. Anti-inflammatory medications
3. Cortisone Injections
4. Surgery(source: next door neighbour is a Podiatrist)
5, ESWT - Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy
hi i have super flat feet as well, and got lots of pain on the feet ball areas especially after wake up in the morning i couldn't touch the ground without feeling pain.
went to those feet doctor, they "highly recommend" me to get custom made insoles, cost about $700 per pair! (includes 3D scans)
as ozb member, i did some research and i bought this instead https://www.wildfiresports.com.au/vibram-trek-sport-womens-s…?
(second hand good condition on gumtree for $50)and after 2 months, no more pain. i suggest you to try, much much much cheaper and looks cool too.
I thought my custom made insole which cost $250 is super expensive.
please pm me the supplier. my daughter's cost me $700
@azm
You're saying all the "fingered" design vibrams have good arch support / orthotic features?
No.
Zero arch support but the idea is to make your feet muscles stronger. I read one article about it. Yeah weird i know but works. Think like this: those thick soft insole, feels good but they dont make our muscles exercise much and in long term make them weak.
Although I don't suffer from plantar fasciitis I just wanted to point out that orthotic insoles can be extremely useful in preventing cramping from dress shoes you only wear once in a while.
As an idiot, I've had a cheap pair of dress shoes for 6 years that I exclusively wear to weddings and court appearances. They have no arch support and consistently give me pains in my feet, calves and knees. I was gifted an OTC insole (…more expensive than my shoes) with arch support and it completely eradicated all of my symptoms. I now use them in steel cap boots as well, which makes a world of difference at the end of a long work day.
Apparently arch support is a form of "cheating", perhaps even weakening the area further. I never have issues when I go barefoot.
My wife had plantar fasciitis. Podiatrust recommended getting out of soft sport type shoes into Birkenstocks. Made a tremendous difference. Won't wear anything else. Hard cork footbed is the answer. Not necessarily that brand.
same here, after wearing barefoot type of shoes, i have no more pain. i guess the reason is we need to train our feet muscles?
My mum found some relief with Orthaheel shoes, but not complete. The ones with the full orthotic innersole and decent ankle support.
If you wear thongs or cheap sandshoes, stop, they are the worst. And ditch those slip ons.
You could also learn to strap your foot with tape, giving the arch support.
Tried custom made insoles, worked for me a little but had problems using them for running so I gave up on them
What I find really works for me is thick socks, like explorer socks. I always used to wear thin ankle socks, but ever since switching I don't have nearly as much pain. Makes sense when you think about it. The way the foot is designed, its like a spring. You put your foot down, and the arch absorbs the force, storing it until the next step. My feet are flat, so its like the spring has been stretched too far and deformed. When I take a step, all the force goes right through my foot and it causes pain. Having something spring between the foot and the hard shoe though, like a thick spongey sock, cuts a lot of that force down and so it doesn't cause as much pain.
They use the same theory to sell shoes, but because a shoe has to be durable enough to last years it has to be hard, while with a sock, you change them every day and they become fluffy again :)
Going against the grain of OzB, go see a podiatrist. They deal with this stuff on a daily basis and although pricey they can give you the best advice. Custom orthotics are around $600 but they're designed for your foot.
Now seeing as this is OzB, firstly for thongs find your local source for Archies. They're the only thongs which look 'havianas' with a thin-ish strap and are awesomely comfortable (once you've worn them for a week to get used to them). About $35. Other orthotic thongs are out there but they don't look the same and some are really pricey (like $60 plus).
Also, the inserts available at chemists…forget the gel kind - they're crap. Hunt down ones with a firm arch. And the ones which are a full footbed just make putting your foot inside the shoe too hard. Not enough room. So I found half-size ones which are just a heel & arch support. You can at least get your foot inside the shoe without it being ridiculously tight. And they're removable so you just swap them in & out of whatever shoe you're wearing. I guess they'd be OK for flats? Look for the brand Neat Feat.
And when your shopping for new shoes, take the inserts along.
if you really happy to pay for customs orthotics, then shop around, especially at universities there are some that have orthodontist facultiy and will do for like $200 (students need to practice but the teacher will supervise anyway).
Awesome for those crooked teeth.
Both my kids have complained about sore feet. We tried off the shelf gels but they did nothing to help.
Went to a podiatrist and whilst spensive ($600 each after some private insurance rebate) the kids no longer complain bitterly about sore feet. We also make sure we get decent shoes.
Was in extreme agony for about 9 months. Eventually caved and went to podiatrist. Eventually caved some more and got custom orthotics at great expense even after private health. I was then able to walk again, but it didn't "fix" me so I'm kind of reliant on them still 6 months later.
I should really get the injections
What kind of injections?
I’ve been going to an osteo who specializes in working with foam wedges. (Never heard about this technique until earlier this year). We do exercises on these to strengthen the feet and arches. I’ve seen a change in the way I walk pretty quickly. Was flat heavy footed. I tried a podiatrist but couldn’t justify the cost of orthodics.
Any of them foam wedges experts in Sydney?
Sorry not sure. I’m based in Melbourne
had the same condition few years back. Bought the Scholl insole 1/2 price in CWH special $30 down to $15. Cut to size. Shoes have to be slightly big, otherwise tight after. When pain, use thumb to press on the painful area and massage in circular motion for instant pain relief -can find on YouTube. Pain went away after 2 months in my case.
Yes, scholl it works
Podiatrist here.
Lots of mixed responses here, but I'll chime in to give my opinion.
Highly depends on what's causing the plantar fasciitis.
If it is however caused from poor foot posture/structure, nothing will come close to custom foot orthotics as a long-term treatment.
I treat patients all the time for plantar fasciitis and in about 90% of the cases I see it's due to poor foot structure with ill-fitting shoes.
As for those gel insoles you get from the chemist. Forget about them they're useless.
The effectiveness and success you get from orthotics can highly vary from one practitioner to another.
It's a bit difficult to explain this in layman's terms, but essentially there are many many different ways you can prescribe an orthotic to a patient.
So find a podiatrist who is very well experienced in prescribing orthotics and you'll get some great results.A quick Google revealed https://inspirepodiatry.com.au/heel-pain-plantar-fasciitis/
Interestingly they claim to be "the experts in heel pain. We don’t offer just orthotics to manage your heel pain. We offer foot mobilisation, dry needling, electrotherapy, balance and strengthening exercises."
If you have not been professionally diagnosed as plantar-fasciitis, then do so.
Off the chemist warehouse shelf, $20 hard shell type orthotics prob worth trying, in addition google balance and strengthening exercises.
My understanding is the exercise routine may take upto 12 weeks for results.
Orthotics may speed up the results time.
imho as an ozbargainer
Didn’t news come out that all were a sham