topic Re: Do orthotic inserts help? in Shoes

Do orthotic inserts help?

Nataliesgramma — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 11:19:53 GMT

I need to wear shoes with some kind of support inside if I am on my feet all day. I have a few pairs of cute flats thet have no suppport.

I was wondering if buying some kind of insert would allow me to wear them again. Do those gel ones work?

Re: Do orthotic inserts help?

chiclet — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 11:26:34 GMT

When I worked in retail I every type of insole I could find trying to make the shoes I have work but it never did. My advise would be to find a good pair of shoes with enough support.

Re: Do orthotic inserts help?

AngelPuppy1 — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 11:35:41 GMT

@Nataliesgramma wrote:
I need to wear shoes with some kind of support inside if I am on my feet all day. I have a few pairs of cute flats thet have no suppport.

I was wondering if buying some kind of insert would allow me to wear them again. Do those gel ones work?

@Nataliesgramma

I wear prescription orthotics every day --- I have to! I hate them, but they do help. I can't speak for the orthotics that you buy over the counter. I hear a lot about Dr. Scholl's -- have you tried them? I would think that wearing an insole of some type to give support to your shoes would help you feel more comfortable. A lot of the flats out there --- have no support to them are are too flat, I think. They are cute but not that great for the feet and legs.

Re: Do orthotic inserts help?

Big Joanie — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 12:15:41 GMT

I went to the Good Feet Store .. as I have severe pronation ....they are the best

things .. other than custom made .. I could have gotten ... Yes they are

expensive ...but worth every penny .. plus they are guaranteed for life .

I have had them 12 years now and no sign of wear on them at all ....

Re: Do orthotic inserts help?

Big Joanie — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 12:16:38 GMT

Actually they may have saved me money as my shoes last longer

now that I am not turning them over with the pronation ....

Re: Do orthotic inserts help?

HarDee — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 13:36:40 GMT

If you have a Walking Company store in your area I recommend ABEO inserts. They are wonderful and have made a huge difference for me.

Re: Do orthotic inserts help?

SahmIam — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 13:54:33 GMT

I have custom-made inserts created every year by my doc; so do two of my children. The difference with them and without is felt quite quickly: pain in the lower back, the hips, the knee, the ankles and the foot when we DON'T use them. Obviously, this depends on each person and their need but I've had them since my teens. Worth every penny (though insurance covers them now).

Re: Do orthotic inserts help?

Big Joanie — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 15:53:10 GMT

I think no matter where you get them Orthotic's are worth every penny ...

Re: Do orthotic inserts help?

CamilleP — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 19:33:55 GMT

I have Vionic insoles in every pair of sheepskin boots I own, plus in my New Balance cross-trainers, and they are well worth the cost. I would have had to retire early due to disability with plantar faciitis if it were not for Vionics shoes and insoles. I have not yet been to a Good Feet store, but there is one in my area, and I plan on visiting next time I am nearby. Don't waste your money on Dr. Scholls, though, I even went to the trouble to find a store with their "machine" in it where you stand on it in your socks so it can "map" your feet to suggest the insole you need, bought what it recommended, took them home, tried them in my shoes, and threw them away the same day, that was about $40 in the trash! Thankfully, my Vionics insoles do the job for me, I hope you can find some help for your feet, too.

Re: Do orthotic inserts help?

Texasmouse — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 21:27:27 GMT

@Nataliesgramma I would suggest being evaluated by a professional because all inserts are not created equal. A lot depends on where you put pressure on your feet, whether you pronate or supinate, etc. I don't know if those "machines" that you stand on (that you find in some stores where insoles are sold) are of any value since I've never used one and can't speak from experience but a friend of mine went to the Good Feet store and got a series of graduating insoles that will slowly help align her flat feet.

Re: Do orthotic inserts help?

Big Joanie — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 23:30:19 GMT

As I mentioned in my OP .. my Good Feet inserts are at least 12 years old

and show absolutely no signs of wear and they are guaranteed for life ..

Re: Do orthotic inserts help?

chiclet — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 11:29:09 GMT

The shoes you already have probably would not be big enough for orthotics added to it. When you add a different insole to the shoes you already have that fit, they take up a lot of room.

Re: Do orthotic inserts help?

toria — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 14:39:07 GMT

Yes I have custom orthotic inserts made by my shoe doctor. If I am walking or standing I put them in my shoe. Have to have a shoe with removable insoles, they don't fit in any old shoe. The Allegria TSV would be a perfect shoe to put an orthotic into. If I am not wearing an orthotic shoe, I either wear a birkenstock, which gives me similar support, or I am wearing a dress shoe for a short period of time.

Re: Do orthotic inserts help?

lulu2 — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 16:27:57 GMT

This thread is timely for me. This morning I went to have a new pair of orthotics made.

Many insurances pay for them but Medicare is my primary and it does not cover them.

I do not know what the going rate is but in my area they are $495. Unlike ones I had made years ago, these will be soft, 3 layers. My previous ones were hard. (the kind they make for children) I hated them and never wore them.

The last few years I've spent a lot of money on OTC and Dr. Scholl's inserts. They did little good.

Re: Do orthotic inserts help?

TY — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 00:36:37 GMT

I second going to The Walking Company store and trying some of their Abeo orthotic insoles. I have a pair of Abeo lace up walking athletic shoes and bought their metatarsal support insoles for them. You can also look at their website too but if you are near a store I suggest a visit. I also have their normal Abeo Galena suede winter boots with their normal shearling removable insoles and I need to replace them on my next visit to Las Vegas.

Re: Do orthotic inserts help?

Moonchilde — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 03:21:18 GMT

@chiclet wrote:
The shoes you already have probably would not be big enough for orthotics added to it. When you add a different insole to the shoes you already have that fit, they take up a lot of room.

This ^^^

It depends more on your shoes than on the orthotic, as long as you choose a decent orthotic - Vionic or Lynco/Aetrex or a few others. If the shoes are "shallow", like typical ballet flats for example, and you can't remove the insoles that come with the shoes, with insoles your feet will sit too high within the shoes and you won't be able to keep them on your feet. Removable orthotic insoles only work well in shoes that have removable insoles.

I would buy Skechers in a heartbeat, but most of their shoes have the insoles firmly sewn in, and they don't fit correctly or comfortably with an orthotic in them. It was IMO a dumb decision on their part.

Re: Do orthotic inserts help?

SXMGirl — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 03:32:45 GMT

After a year of serious foot problems, I went to a podiatrist and he suggested orthotics. I never thought that I would wear them, but they have made a tremendous difference. Mine cost $275, have my name on them and the number, along with my doctor's office address. Absolutely well worth the money.

One thing to keep in mind is that when you get professional orthotics made for your feet, you will have follow-up office visits to make sure that they are working properly for you; they can be adjusted. Ones that you buy in stores are not the same, which is why they never worked for me.