Dr. Scholl's Custom Fit Orthotics

[Andrew Longman]

What do you know?

I've been dealing with foot, leg and back pain for years. Just thought it was a price I pay for too many years playing football but also know my shoes have never worn evenly and I was not built perfectly.

Pain has gotten enough that I think it may be time to take some action but before taking the time, expense and hassle of actually getting a proper medical opinion I thought I would try out the new wiz bang Dr Scholl foot and othonic analyzer. If it helped great. If not, I'll go make an appointment.

Did the analyzer thingy at the local Walmart and it said I need cf330 inserts.

OK fine. But I go to reach for them and they cost $50!!!

Granted cheaper than a doctor and custom made orthonics, but I don't spend that kind of money on foam rubber without checking in on the OC braintrust first.

[Don Quixote]

I think it is worth a try. In a somewhat related story I had bad heel pain for years. I was doing daily stretches that helped, but the pain was there every day. Then I changed my tennis shoes from New Balance to something else, and the heel pain went away almost immediately, and never came back. A few months later I ran into a friend and he was complaining about heel pain. I looked down and he was wearing NB. I told him my story, he changed shoes and his pain went away also. Not an indictment against NB, I think this just means that not all feet are the same, and if one has pain they should try a different shoe. [/old man mode off]

[Methanolandbrats]

What do you know?

I've been dealing with foot, leg and back pain for years. Just thought it was a price I pay for too many years playing football but also know my shoes have never worn evenly and I was not built perfectly.

Pain has gotten enough that I think it may be time to take some action but before taking the time, expense and hassle of actually getting a proper medical opinion I thought I would try out the new wiz bang Dr Scholl foot and othonic analyzer. If it helped great. If not, I'll go make an appointment.

Did the analyzer thingy at the local Walmart and it said I need cf330 inserts.

OK fine. But I go to reach for them and they cost $50!!!

Granted cheaper than a doctor and custom made orthonics, but I don't spend that kind of money on foam rubber without checking in on the OC braintrust first.

Described the pain. Where? When?

[cameraman]

I've had chronic knee & hip problems my entire life. A year ago I went to one of the high end sports medicine MDs up at the University and just asked why the chronic issues? He looks me over, looks at some pictures, films me walking, scratches his head and has me do it all over again. Something isn't right but figuring it out isn't simple. Finally he figures it out, my hip joints are misaligned. My pelvis has an odd bend to it and everything is wonky because of it. My legs swing out to the side by about 10 degrees. When wearing cross country skis the tails of the skis are crossed when I am standing comfortably, executing a snowplow is physically impossible, I can't rotate and hold my feet in the position that would get the tips of the skis together. Thus I don't ski.

Amazing thing is he was able to stop the day to day pain in my knees and hips with a simple pair of silicone heel wedges, not even orthotics just wedges. I stick them in my shoes and the vast majority of the joint pain is gone. They've worked wonders for over a year.

Something as simple as a silicone wedge can and does make a ginormous difference. I'd gamble the $50-.

[Insomniac]

If you think that it's a stop gap, my guess is (if you have insurance) the cost to see a doctor is less than $50. Usually if they think you need orthotics, they'll refer you where a good orthotist will have things to try before going down the custom route.

The doctor may also suggest the Dr. Scholls in the first place.

[indyfan31]

I've worn orthotics for a few years now to help alleviate shin pain after long runs. The are used to correct the fact that my foot "rolls in" (pronates) when I walk or run. If your feet toe-out excessively, an off the shelf orthotic may not do anything. To use an automotive term, orthotics can control camber, but not necessarily caster.
you're best bet would be to go see a doctor, who'll then refer you to a specialist, who can better determine what might work. Don't be surprised if the the office visits are covered but the devices themselves are not.

Unrelated, but they can also be made to alleviate heel spurs.

[racer2c]

Went to a chiropractor to help treat whiplash due to a minor car accident I was in last August and he noticed I had scoliosis of the lower spine. He told me this resulted in my right leg being 12mm shorter than my left. He fitted me with a silicon lift and after a week my back hurt so bad I could barely move. He told me I needed to get use to it...after a month...no change. I threw the thing in the garbage and two days later felt great! I started without pain and it caused me pain, you have pain so maybe it will fix it! :)

[RaceGrrl]

Depending on the kind of insurance coverage you have, the doctor visit and orthotics may be covered. Verify your benefits first and then decide whether to see your doc or just try the store brand. I have a flex account and they're a reimbursable expense on flex with a prescription.

Another thing to consider is that your long term pain might be exacerbated by a "home" remedy like over the counter inserts. If you've put up with the pain this long, it's probably time to have it checked out. :)

[JohnHKart]

Had foot pain three years ago. Tried some of the cheaper inserts and they just made my feet feel worse. 50 bucks probably would have been totally wasted on the custom ones. What fixed my issues (which were bone spurs in my ankles) was a hot and cold water treatment that the doctor gave me.

[High Sided]

are you gellin'?

if not it's a $10 option to try

[WickerBill]

AL,

I'm really interested in hearing what you decide, and what kind of results you have. About three years ago, my right achilles partially tore away from my heel (instead of tearing at the "rope" section behind the ankle, where they normally tear).

This has turned into Haglund's Deformity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haglund%27s_deformity) and a sincere desire from almost every Orthopod I've been to to avoid surgery because of the severity of my "deformity". I get the same song from every one of them: we have to remove the tendon from the heel, shave down the heel bone, and reattach the tendon. Crutches for 15-18 weeks. Oh, and 60% success rate -- 40% of the time, the body just sends more calcium to the heel and recreates the bump. So why don't you just live with it the way it is, you wimp? (that's the doctor speaking)

Obviously, I need to do something about this; go see a different Orthopod or just try to find something, like inserts (custom or not), that can reduce the pain. I've been dealing with some other major medical issues and have let this one go, but it's too painful to ignore any more if I want to stay mobile.

[Andrew Longman]

Described the pain. Where? When?

Well, this is a little hard to answer. I've had trouble sorting between just gradual getting old aches and pains and gradual stuff that I might actually be to do something about.

That is made more difficult because I've never grown old before so I don't know exactly what to expect and because I've spent a lifetime abusing my body and ignoring the consequences and constant background pain.

But here goes.

Feet: pain felt mostly on the top of the feet and appears to be in amongst all those tiny bones that make up the bulk of the foot. Left foot also has a burning sensation which I attribute to an angry tendon in there. Feet have always been rotated inwards somewhat such that the outside of my heels wear first/most.

Thighs: Mostly feels muscular on the outside of my thighs. Some hamstring pain too, but I probably just need to do more stretching

Knees: In the joint. Feels like angry meniscus.

Pain is worst when I first get up from sitting. It takes 20-30 steps to work it out and then I'm doing sort of OK (sort of like the tin man loosening up), as OK goes. As I said, I've always hurt somewhat, but I've long just figured that is just my body telling me it is there.

In general, weakness bending/squatting down and getting out of chairs. Part of that is pain and part of that is the body just not wanting to go. I've actually gotten to the point of if I drop something I think a little bit about if I really need to pick it up because it is going to be a long trip :gomer:

Now I could go on about torn rotators and discs in my neck but I don't think that's related.

[Don Quixote]

Yikes WB, that does not sound fun. I find it hard to believe that in this day and age with all the advancements in medicine that the surgery they are proposing is only 60/40. This is why we need to get second third and fourth opinions.

[Methanolandbrats]

Well, this is a little hard to answer. I've had trouble sorting between just gradual getting old aches and pains and gradual stuff that I might actually be to do something about.

That is made more difficult because I've never grown old before so I don't know exactly what to expect and because I've spent a lifetime abusing my body and ignoring the consequences and constant background pain.

But here goes.

Feet: pain felt mostly on the top of the feet and appears to be in amongst all those tiny bones that make up the bulk of the foot. Left foot also has a burning sensation which I attribute to an angry tendon in there. Feet have always been rotated inwards somewhat such that the outside of my heels wear first/most.

Thighs: Mostly feels muscular on the outside of my thighs. Some hamstring pain too, but I probably just need to do more stretching

Knees: In the joint. Feels like angry meniscus.

Pain is worst when I first get up from sitting. It takes 20-30 steps to work it out and then I'm doing sort of OK (sort of like the tin man loosening up), as OK goes. As I said, I've always hurt somewhat, but I've long just figured that is just my body telling me it is there.

In general, weakness bending/squatting down and getting out of chairs. Part of that is pain and part of that is the body just not wanting to go. I've actually gotten to the point of if I drop something I think a little bit about if I really need to pick it up because it is going to be a long trip :gomer:

Now I could go on about torn rotators and discs in my neck but I don't think that's related.

You need to go to sportsmedicine. Hopefully you can self-refer, if not go to your GP and they will refer you. Sportsmedicine will evaluate your injuries and range of motion. They will refer you to physical therapy. That will involve many, many visits and regular exercises at home to correct imbalances that have occured because of your injuries. After 35 years of running I am very familiar with this routine. The above is the first step before considering arch supports, heel wedges, etc.....

Here is a rundown of possible causes of your symptoms:

Wearing the outside heel of your shoe only means you are a heel striker, that's normal. The foot pain may indicate you need arch supports. The sore hamstrings are probably due to weak abs and quads. The outside of your leg pain is tight IT bands. I have smashed meniscus in one knee and stationary biking worked wonders because it built up the quad and other muscles which stabilize the knee joint. A program of light weights, biking and specific stretching to correct imbalances will work wonders after a couple months. Good luck.

[Andrew Longman]

Here is a rundown of possible causes of your symptoms:In other words I'm a run down out of shape old fart. Amazing. I think you nailed it. Over the internet and everything. :gomer:

Seriously though, thanks. I have an number of long term projects to tidy up my life that I need to add this too.:D

[Methanolandbrats]

In other words I'm a run down out of shape old fart. Amazing. I think you nailed it. Over the internet and everything. :gomer:

Seriously though, thanks. I have an number of long term projects to tidy up my life that I need to add this too.:D

I suffer from the same affliction. And many of my workouts consist of watching basketball and drinking beer. That does not help to reverse the downward trend :D

[FTG]

I know the Dr. who figured out that people really didn't need custom orthotics, because everyone fits into one of 16 patterns. Therefore, it's only necessary to make 16 different types of orthotics. A dozen years ago he made a lot of money by bringing the price of orthotics down. But he made them locally. No reason why somebody can't make the 16 in China and sell them for 50 bucks.

(Kinda like teeth whitening. The chemicals on the Crest strips are the exact same chemicals that the dentists charge you 100 bucks for in the chair.)