Orthotic Insoles

[Retro]

Have you tried Clarks? Expensive but they are qualified and good at fitting. Start Rite do width fittings too and New Balance do width fittings for trainers.

Lindsey

[nonyanomemory]

Just out of interest how often does she see the podiatrist as her feet will change as they grow - there are a few posts I think in the parenting section I'll have a look tomorrow and see what I can find. Piedro shoes are popular with many parents here - what size are your daughters feet Ted?

nonya

[TED]

Retro & Nonya,

Clarks shoes never fit. Every time I have been they measure her feet, get the shoes, try the insoles in the shoes put them on her feet and they never fit. Then they try a size bigger, wider etc that doesnt work either. They simply do not make shoes to fit Chloes feet.

I now go to shop that sell Startrite and a lot of German shoes they are more expensive than Clarks but worth it if she gets shoes that fit.

I have read someone on here thinks ankle boots are the best , they said that there physio recommended them. Would i be better trying to get her boots?

Chloe is due to see the Podiatrist on the 25th April for a review.

Where do you get Piedro shoes?

Chloe is 13 1/2 G in shoes.

Take Care God Bless

TED

[earthmother]

TED - I can sympathise with the shoes situation - I dread when my elder two boys are due a new pair (youngest not walking yet, so at least I have a little respite from him)

Eldest is a 1H, and younger an 11H, and like you Clarks are useless for getting the insoles fitted in (were ok 2 years ago, then for some reason they changed the fittings - much shallower now). It doesn't help with mine that they have to wear boots for the ankle support too - you try finding boots in July, lol.

Anyway - Have you tried Brantano? I know it sounds daft, but in the last couple of weeks I've managed to kit both my boys out from there (in the sale at that ).

They've ended up with a Blox style called Zenith - it's a beige and brown lightweight hiking-style boot. It is in the boys range, and you may need to ask as not all stores have them on display now, but if she's not a real girly girl, then she'd be ok (I'd love a pair, lol). While we were in there, there was also a lovely pink desert-boot being tried on by a little girl on the next seat, which looked like it had plenty of room, so there are other options around.

I've been told that Kickers, Caterpillars and Doc Martens are good for orthotics too.

Piedro are the best if you can track them down though - you're looking at £60 a pair, but the fit is beautiful, and they last. We're finding it harder to get them around here though, so it will probably take a fair bit of hunting/googling to get them.

We do finds though that we have to go up a size even with Piedro to get the orthotics and width right.

[Retro]

Have either of you tried taking the "built in" insole out of the shoes? That's what the Orthotics woman told me to do last time.

Lindsey

[ombili]

Actually, this thread reminds me of a question I've been wanting to ask. I had/have custom orthotics, but they are all worn out now and I can't afford new ones at the moment. I have used SOLE brand heat-moldable orthotics in the past; you put them in the oven to heat them up and then mold them to your feet. They were okay but I wasn't nuts about them. Recently I read about Spenco brand semi-moldable orthotics, and I'm wondering whether anyone has tried these. I am thinking about getting them but I'd have to order them as no place in the local vacinity actually sells them.

[earthmother]

Have either of you tried taking the "built in" insole out of the shoes? That's what the Orthotics woman told me to do last time.

Hi

Yes, we do that as standard, otherwise the built in arch throws the line of the orthotics out.

Not all the insoles these days are that thick, so they don't make a lot of difference to the fit though.

And, unfortunately, if they're glued in, you can't take them out in the shop anyway, so still need the shoes to fit on before buying (another problem with wider feet is that you can't just pick up any pair of size x - they won't all fit even under normal circumstances).

[TED]

We usually take out the inbuilt insoles also.

My daughter is a girly girl and every time we go into the shoe shops she looks at all the pretty flowery/hearts shoes with pink and purple etc but these shoes never come in her size. Its so frustrating.

Last night I went on google looking for piedro shoes but 2 websites said that they can only be ordered from medical professionals. So I will have to ask the podiatrist about this at the end of the month.

At the moment she is having a lot of pain around her ankles, she says its like having a strap around them. I have bought her a cheap pair of trainers as they were wide enough for her feet. But I need to get her proper shoes that the insoles fit into. She is due for a review of her feet on April the 25th so she may end up with new insoles anyway as her feet will have grown. At the moment we will have to hang in there. This makes the easter holidays a bit of a challenge as Chloe is struggling to get about.

earthmother; I will look at Brantano for shoes. We could also try Kickers etc that you have suggested. Thanks.

Thanks for your replies.

Take Care God Bless

TED

[Kayzee]

Hi Ted

I've found that Addis trainers are the widest and never buy any other make now. I know you've just bought your daughter some new ones, but thought I'd mention it for future reference

Kay

[Rosie]

Hi Ted

Both my daughters wear black trainers for school. Although they are not supposed to wear trainers at school, no one ever queried them. My 2nd daughter is waiting for her insoles as her feet spread even more than mine do. She has no pain as yet with them but I am working on the principle that prevention is better than cure. I have persuaded her that not wearing fashionable shoes now is preferable to the feet pain that I have, but it doesn't stop her wistfully looking at all the types available. We will need to shop for shoes again after she has her insoles.



Rosie

[earthmother]

Hi-Tec are another good wide-fitting trainer that can handle insoles (Brantano again).

My eldest wears them in school - they are supposed to wear plimsolls, but our consultant actually wrote us a letter for the school she felt so strongly against them.

The trainers are a middle ground - not ideal (I'd rather he stayed in his boots, as would he), but better than the alternative.

[Retro]

TED,

Do speak to the podiatrist as he/she might decide to prescribe piedro boots for your daughter.

My son get's plain black ones (not HMS related) but I know they do girly ones too.

Lindsey

[nonyanomemory]

piedro link


(PLEASE NOTE: Products displayed on this web site are prescription medical devices that must be purchased through a physician or other licensed medical provider) Such as orthotics etc shown....


Hi Ted, this link may be of help.

nonya

[Jaws]

Have either of you tried taking the "built in" insole out of the shoes? That's what the Orthotics woman told me to do last time.

Lindsey

Yes, actually a few weeks ago I got my custom made orthotics (the hard, carbon fibre type that cost far too much!) and am experimenting with what shoes/boots are most comfortable. I had to take a variety of shoes in to the podiatrist appointment with me, and we discussed which I would be able to wear and which to throw to the back of the wardrobe!

She recommended low heels (about an inch), and liked my flat (about 1.5 inch heel) boots from M&S (purchased a couple of years ago). She was right - those have been the most comfortable with the orthotics in. Ballet pumps were a 'no no' as they are too shallow.

Trainers came highly recommended, and she said to look for those that have removable soles. She mentioned a few brands, but the only one I can remember was 'New Balance'. Anyway, as it happened, I took my orthotics to TK Maxx and found a lovely (cheap, in the sale!) pair of trainers - have never heard of the brand and cannot even make out what the logo says! They must be decent, as the full price would have been something like £60 according to the label (the RRP). I think I paid about £16. I found them very comfortable in the shop, and when I got home, remembered the podiatrist's comment about the insoles. To my surprise, when I tried to pull them out, they just lifted - they were not stuck in at all, so are obviously designed to pull out. They are really great.

From looking on the internet at sites about orthotics, I get the impression that a lot of sportspeople and athletes have prescribed orthotics. Whether this is because of the constant pressure on their arches, or a new craze in something that helps improve performance I don't know! (Maybe the best athletes are hypermobile?!!) I guess this might explain why some of the more expensive trainers are now being made with removable insoles.

If anyone else is interested, at a large branch of M&S a few weeks ago, I was delighted to find that my orthotics fit beautifully into some little groovy flat pump type shoes. They are black, and like a fat clumpy version of a ballerina pump (can't think how else to describe them), with 'footglove' written inside. There is a strap that goes across and sticks with velcro, which I find holds the foot in, and can be adjusted (useful if foot keeps swelling up like mine!) Quicker to shove on and off than trainers too. They are black suede look. I am going to buy some more I think! The only down side is that the insides are worn away quickly by the very hard orthotic edges I notice.

Anyway, although deeper and clumpier than ballet pumps, they are probably the next best thing, and a bit smarter than trainers, so ideal for work (under trousers anyway). I must have paid about £26 for them I think, and I love them.

Going to post again under a different heading now, as this is getting long!

[Retro]

My Mum swears by M&S footglove shoes, don't think she wears anything else now.

I need to see about taking the insoles out of my Nike's to see if I'm going to need another pair of new trainers when I get my orthotics next month Or this just might be my excuse to go and get the New Balance one's I've been after

Lindsey