NHS Orthotics

[leashy11]

Sorry if this is an ongoing thread elsewhere, I can't seem to find it, but does anyone know if you have to pay for NHS orthotics? I'm due to go get some next month and I'm on Incapacity Benefit right now and it suddenly occurred to me I may have to pay for them! Could anyone tell me please?

[Purplesheep]

If you've been prescribed them, you shouldn't have to pay. I got mine about a month ago and they were free. They weren't especially made for me, but they do seem to work. So if you've been referred to get them by your rheumy, I doubt they would charge you for them.

[Spireite]

No I didn't pay for mine, but they were absolute rubbish.

The first nhs podiatrist said, based on one glance at me in my socks, 'you definitely don't overpronate'. I said 'I definitely do', so he immediately said 'in that case I'll refer you to Northampton'! Just outrageous.

At Northampton podiatry school (rather worrying) it was one size fits all, and that was next to nothing. So after many many months, no charge but then I didn't really get anything. You'd get more from a shop.

[Es*]

Nope, you don't have to pay for them

[Stone]

Nope, you don't have to pay for them

Correct - even with custom moulded orthotics you don't have to pay.

Another reason getting referred to NHS therapists can be a good thing!

Stone

[leashy11]

Thanks for the replies, I'm really glad I asked to be sent for them on the NHS now! My friend had some joint issues (not HMS just some joint problems) and she went to a private Podiatrist and they made some insoles up for her that didn't fit in any of her shoes and charged her about £200 for them! I had visions of them charging me about that and me having to slip away without them!!

[dragondee]

No you dont have to pay but you might have to persevere to get the right pair.
My local podiatry ones didn't work, the local orthotics didn't work, the ones from Stanmore I'm wearing in but are a lot better.
Spireite don't give up aske for a referral somewhere else, better still Stanmore if you're not too far away. pm me if you want to know the guy I saw.

Dragondee

[Spireite]

I agree with Dragondee that you need to persevere to get the right orthotics, whether nhs or private. Every podiatrist/orthotist I've seen has come up with something different for me, and I've seen quite a few!

I have been to Stanmore and saw a thoroughly useless consultant in his own little world there. I have now found a good podiatrist in London, but I'm always on the look out for an alternative as I am so dependent on her and a full day out to see her.

I did pay for the nhs orthotics in a different way - achilles injury (for which they just gave me huge heel lifts rather than stop me overpronating) and a fortune in parking at the hospital for multiple visits over a year (achilles injury and orthotics no good) and the petrol to keep going there.

[sueiz]

If you get referred to Podiatry, ask if they are trained in biomechanics. The first podiatrist I saw this year was not, but honest enough to say so, & I got referred for a biomechanical assessment; so far that wonderful lady is the only medical professional I've seen who's had any knowledge of HMS, and also picked up that my thigh bones point outwards and that I have "Bony Ankle Equuinus" ie my ankle doesn't fit together properly so I can't bend my ankle fully (weird in a bendy, I know )

She prescribed me orthotics about 5 years ago (before I knew about HMS, but she still picked up on the hypermobile feet!) but I've had to wait for weeks this time round for them - still waiting in fact, but no payment needed. I have to wear stout trainers or walking boots, even indoors to prevent my feet pronating; in fact, I've got so much scar tissue in my left foot that she couldn't manipulate it back to the correct position! mind you, I do cheat & wear imitation crocs indoors - feet get sooo hot it leads to other problems....

Sue

[leashy11]

Thanks Sue, I don't know who I'm seeing it may be someone from Lincoln County or it may be someone from Louth County as they've sent me to Louth for the appointment as it's alot closer for me to struggle to! Alot of the doctors actually come from elsewhere there though and just drop in a few times a month for clinics so it could be absolutely anyone from absolutely anywhere! I will ask though, thanks for the tip.

[madmum]

Can anyone tell me how long it takes in their area to get orthotic insoles for children? Here it is taking an average 13weeks to get my sons, often by which time he has grown. Adults take 8weeks on average. Is this normal on the nhs?

[leashy11]

The only thing I know is from my appointment with the Rheumy it was 2 months exactly to the appointment for orthotics. I don't know quite how they deal with the whole growing problem, it's not something that occurred to me!

[ratty]

my son had both piedro boots and insoles. i tend to find that the length of time it takes to get them ordered and arrive , alot of the time his feet have grown again. his last pair only lasted 3 weeks as he had grown by the time they arrived. the physio poo pooed it off until we saw her in clinix and she saw the mess they were making of his feet!!!, new boots and insoles were ordered immediately!!!! they arrived yesterday and fit great!!! hurrah , these may actually last him!

[madmum]

When my son was younger he had boots made but they were a size too small. He also has wide feet and narrow ankles so boots are no good. Tried again recently but once again ankles too wide and with pronation rubbed. Got orthotics after 13weeks and they were made wrong so back they went and we start the wait again. We also took back his knee brace as not the correct angle of bend. Guess what......not altered so still no good. Waiting again for next appointment. I now need new insoles.......told 8weeks approx.

[sueiz]

They lost my orthotics!!!!

Having phoned yesterday - again! - to chase up why it was now nearly 4 months' wait, they discovered that the lab ahd posted them ages ago, but somehow they'd got lost!! AAArgh!!! Good job my spine problems means I'm not walking anywhere at the moment!

After abject apologies, they got me in this afternoon and reassessed me, so ding, ding, round 2; let's hope they don't lose them this time...Donuts!

Have to say though, the podiatrist (name supplied via pm if u want it) is an absolute poppet; she's knowledgeable, sympathetic, and was the first medical bod to pick up on mine & my daughter's HMS, all from our feet! Thank God for professionals who take that title seriously!