Do orthotics make a big difference?

Well all I know now is that this guy is a Sports Pod. and that should help a bit, as for my footstrike/shoes, I think cushioned shoes could be the culprit, I used to wear totally Motion Control shoes, but my overpronation, it was severe just disappeared one day! I think I did some damage to my body though training through the PF, I have a medicine ball now (Http://www.oofball.com) which is totally beneficial, anyone know of a website with exercises to strengthen the hip/pelvis lower body, what do you do for a rotated pelvis, besides go to a Chiro, who just charges out the wazoo, I imagine any kind of Ortho would help, do I need to GET THEM FOR JUST RUNNING? OR BOTH RUNNING AND DAILY SHOES? OR USE THE SAME ONE? HOW MUCH WEAR CAN YOU GET OUT OF ONE PAIR OF ORTHOTICS?

~Nick

P.S. Thanks to all for all your help on this I truly appreciate this website, for all the help in questions!~

Run Run Run,

Not really sure what you mean by a California last. I suspect you mean flat in the heel,but; not a board above the midsole. I have never seen the term used in the specifications of the shoes. MC shoes are not necessarily harmful to underpronators. It depends on how the MC is achieved. I suspect we are not communicating. If we are then I just don't agree with you and that in its self isn't that unusal with Scientists. Being MC or Stability doesn't mean that they are stiff. It depends on how motion is controled. If you don't pronate normally then the higher durometer density on the medial side isn't a factor.

california last hasn't been around too long. It is just like a full board last, with stitching around the edges. The differnce is that the board is made of a softer, more flexible material. the name california last derives from looking like something, but really being a fake version(hence being like someone from california) I have several friends from california,,,so dont get angry at me.

board in the heel, slip from the midfoot to toe is sometimes called a combination last.

If a stability shoe's control come from the upper(i.e. through lacing or firmer materials, (like nb991)i would agree with you in regards to being a stability shoe that still has some flexibility.

Otherwise, i guess we can agree to have different opinions.

Since your from California you might know Joe Ellis from the San Diego area. He was the first one I met that used the approach I refer to. He indicated over 20 years ago that medial devices didn't have much significance or cause many problems with neutral or underpronators.

I have seen this varified by observing forces measured using force plates in shoes on treadmill tests.

As we both know we don't always get it right without visual observations. Then in nearly all cases we do.

I have seen several shoes with the thing you refer to as a California Last just never heard it called that.

Have enjoyed the dialog with you.

asicsman, I wear the same orthotics in every pair of shoes I have. I take out the insoles of the shoes first (may seem obvious). My old (sh*tty) orthotics would last about a year before needing resurfacing, but my new ones I've had for 5 months and are just as good as the day I got them, condition-wise. -On another note, I don't get this crap about orthotics being "unnatural" because it affects your bodies natural mechanics. That's bs right there. I'd say maybe 5% of all runners have a perfect footstrike. I overpronate very badly and orthotics allow my foot to hit the ground the proper way...the way they would were my biomechanics perfect.

Did orthotics take away pain? I mean I feel like I am 80 now or something, my legs ache, I am stretching, getting a massage, I feel worse off now than ever, I figure these things will at least help me in the long run! Did it really make a huge diff for you and the PF?

Nick

It absolutely made a difference as far as pain goes. My old orthotics were improperly angled and put a lot of undue stress on my plantar fascia. The new ones only placed the normal amount of stress that it should receive. Since I didn't have the horrible stress on my feet every step I took, it allowed them to fully heal in about 2-3 months (through which I ran), after not being able to run a step for 3 months (or walk without pain). But keep in mind, my problem was PF and nothing else. If you have a leg length discrepancy or something else, it may not help that (I really have no idea on that). And not having orthotics may only be part of your problem. You may just need a light week of training or some time off if you're feeling worse than ever. Never underestimate the power of resting.

Orthotics are not a cure all for any problem. They can greatly enhance the treatment of a problem such as plantar fasciitis, which often times has a biomechanical basis.

Jeri gave great post on this thread. I agree with many of the excellent things that Jeri and the others have posted.

My thoughts on orthotic devices as a user for 20 years and a Sports Podiatrist for 12 years are that you should view it more as an art form and less as a science. The same device does not work for every runner. So to say that "make sure you get soft devices" or "make sure you get ones made out of graphite" is wrong. I have made 3 different pairs for some runners until the correct material is found. Luckily this does not happen often, but sometimes you look at the foot, watch the person walk or run, look at the foot wear pattern and decide to fabricate a rigid, polyethylene device and that person just does not tolerate the material.

Orthotic devices should accomplish one thing: to help make your pain go away. You should always have a diagnosis and reason for fabricating the devices. Sometimes taping the foot before can be an indicator if the orthoses will work.

The devices should be comfortable, you should hardly notice them in your shoes. If this is not the case then they need to be adjusted or a different pair needs to be fabricated.

As far as shoes go, I think that if you are prescribing the devices for an overpronator then that person needs to be in a stability shoe or a motion control shoe. Putting an orthotic device inside the shoe and then wearing a cushion shoe(in most cases) will still allow too much pronatory motion of the foot. Asics tends to be the exception to some degree as their cushion shoes do have more stability than most. I run in the 2000 series and find the 2070's are excellent( I rip the boards out of the them as this aggravates the outside of my foot). Very few running shoes are truly straight lasted these days. Most are semi curved with the exception of the severe motion control shoes such as the Brooks Beast or the NB 587.

I have on occasion advised my patients to stop wearing their devices. I don't believe that everyone needs them and I think it is worth trying an over the counter device or change shoes before going to the custom ones.

The advice to see a SPORTS person is also great advice. One word of caution, every Podiatrist, Orthopedist and Chiropractor under the sun will say they treat athletes. For Podiatrists one screen is to go to

www.aapsm.org

and see who is a member. It is not fool proof, but it does show Podiatrist's that care enough about treating athletes that they took an examination and extra time to become certified in Podiatric Sports Medicine.

Asicsman, a good Physical therapist is the best place to be to strengthen the pelvic muscles.

Brian Fullem

Orthotics work for those who suffer chronic problems. Don't risk it if you have never had problems.