Orthodic Inserts
 

Has anyone tried the orthodic inserts that you put your feet on the machine and it checks for your pressure points of feet. Do they work as they say they do? Has anyone tried the walk fits that they have on the infomercials? Do they work? And one last question I work in a warehouse on concrete walking fast up and down isles and running around conveyors. What would be the best type of tennis shoe?

I have horrible feet, no pretty shoes for me or else I pay for it. I swear by Adidas shoes. They hold up well and you can be in them all day and not get too fatigued. In addition to a good pair of cross trainers (or running shoes work well too), pull out the inserts and invest in a good pair of inserts. I love Softsole athletic inserts for high arches. Love them! I have never been happy with any pair of Dr. Scholl inserts I've gotten. Softsole inserts are about $20, and Dr. Scholl's can be as high as $45/$50! Not worth it.

DH has foot problems and they didn't work for him. Had to have the expensive ones from the podiatrist. But he got his money back on the store bought ones.

Orthotics are great! However, one size doesn't fit all -- what works for one won't work for another. Some can buy off the shelf orthotic inserts and some need custom fit. Unfortunately, you just have to try some and see how they work. I would recommend trying off the shelf first - custom orthotics are huge investment and may not be necessary. Also, it is a good idea to break them in for short periods of time each day before going for a full day in them. I have had good results with Orthaheel shoes. You may have better luck with another brand. When you find the ones right for you, you should definitely see a difference being on your feet on concrete.

I don't really have any arches in my feet. The foot doctor told me that I neede d custom but like it was mentioned they are pricey.

My podiatrist said the machine can diagnose but the inserts are crap. having said that the machine diagnose is not a substitute for a dr. He recommended the Powerstep inserts that are sold in athletic shoe stores. Some of them have trained salespeople that can watch you walk and help you find shoes or inserts to help you. I have a high arch and always bought shoes with an arch in them- some fit right and others not. When I put them in my shoes, it felt like a golf ball under my foot. Theynalso run about $40 and last about 6 months. I also got custom orthotics from my podiatrist.. No more high heels or flat sandals for me. There is a brand of shoe for high arch people and some of their shoes have removable insoles to wear with orthotics. I haven't purchased any yet as they are very expensive-$100-185 perpair. The brand is NOAT. i am hoping to sell a lot of my shoes to help pay for a pair of these. I hope this helps.

I don't think orthotics inside tennis shoes will work for someone who has to walk on concrete while working. Your feet need total support, not just cushioning at pressure points on the bottom. My recommendation is to go to a top-notch shoe store that specializes in shoes for people with foot issues (in MN this is Schuler Shoes; don't know what the equivalent would be in IL). Describe your foot issues and working conditions, and they should be able to fit you with shoes that provide the support you need. This type of shoe typically costs $100 to $150 but tend to last 5 years so they are ***really*** worth the money.

Before I did the above, I used off-the-shelf orthotics that simply moved the problem to a different area. Also paid something like a $450 co-pay for physician prescribed orthotics that were simply awful. The specialty shoe store was worth every penny. I did find an off-the-shelf orthotic that works for me in my walking shoes, but it is no longer made. Because it was the only orthotic that ever worked for me when I realized it was not going to be sold anymore I bought a lifetime supply of them off an eBay seller. :)

The majority of the time I wear only 3 types of shoes -- the walking shoes with inserts, indoor shoes from the specialty shoe store, and sandals from the specialty shoe store. Other shoes are for short jaunts to restaurants, etc. only.

You mentioned tennis shoes. Tennis shoes offer *no* support for the foot. I am hoping you at least mean walking shoes -- shoes designed specifically for walking. Good brands of walking shoes also typically cost in the $100+ range. This is because shoes that support your feet and provide proper cushioning (that does not break down with use) require good materials and good construction. My favorite cushioning for walking shoes are the Nike airs because the air-cushion compartments do not break down over time. Any kind of off-the-shelf insert you get made from foam rubber type materials will break down with use and provide less and less cushioning; they require frequent and regular replacement. It can actually be less expensive to start out with a good pair of shoes!

I got my inserts from a doctor- can't remember the price- I've had them for 3 years.

I only wear Haflinger clogs when I'm not in my tie up shoes with the inserts.

I can't use inserts since it makes the shoe fit tighter. I already wear size 11 and sure don't want to go up to size 12!

I've been wearing orthotics from the podiatrist for over forty years.. Though they might be expensive initially, they can last for 4-5 years.. They are very well worth it.. I stick with New Balance sneakers with the model numbers over 800.. There is a possibility that your insurance plan might cover them.

With my insurance is 400 dollars.

I have the custom made orthotics. I bought a pair of Spira shoes at the Good Feet store in 2010. I just recently replaced that pair so they lasted almost three years. I bought this pair online at Amazon.

try SAS shoes. they have some styles that are good for using all day and have good inside soles. I have trouble with plantar fasciitis and need good support, they work very well. they are spendy, but when you consider the trouble you have with other shoes, it is worth the extra cost to not have your feet hurt......

I paid for the custom inserts from a podiatrist and the worked very well for me for somewhere between 3 and 5 years. I have plantar fasciatis and need arch support. Then I had an ankle injury and went to an orthopedic surgeon who said he didn't like the inserts at all because they're rigid and don't allow the foot to move naturally. (Even though the worked very well for me I'll admit my foot was somewhat tired and maybe just a little sore at the end of the day. But definitely no pain.) He watched me walk and recommended a flexible insert that I can buy online for about $30. I bought two pair last summer, wear them every day, and feel like they've now "broken down" and need replacement. I think everyone is so different, though, that everyone needs a different remedy. It's expensive and frustrating, but so important to take care of.

I have plantar faciitis. I tried inserts, doctor-prescribed orthotics, and Z-Coil shoes. The Z-Coils were the only thing that worked for me. I was able to walk and work all day long with them. The last time I bought a pair they were $180 and well worth it.

In my opinion, if you are already standing up to get the moulds or compressions done, then your arches would have fallen into a less than ideal place. I had mine done whilst lying down and have been very happy with them. I could not walk in previously fitted ones done by a different Podiatrist who used the method you describe. Can't help with the shoe knowledge - perhaps a sports doctor or your Podiatrist could help?

Try looking for some Naots on ebay - I buy all my shoes from there. You just need to look carefully at the photos for condition, and check shipping charges. A model you like and correct size may take some time to find, but they will be far less expensive than new, and a good way to see if you really do like them. I have had a couple of pair of Naots, and they are nice, though not usually stylish looking. Very good quality, and comfortable.

The best thing you can do for sore feet is to wear New Balance www927 they are good for your feet and especially if you are in them for long periods, I had foot surgery and they are the only shoe I can wear , They are expensive but worth every penny, For me at least!

I agree that New Balance Tennis shoes are great! I have terrible feet, flat and arthritis. These are the only shoes I can wear.

I am answering with very practical information. I have a very hard to fit foot so I generally live in a cheap tennis shoe that I can cinch up and am comfortable in. I started to have leg problems and inverted in "The Good Feet" orthotics....expensive and my DH almost croaked....LOL!, but they work!!! I've worn them about 7 years now and wear them daily.....no more leg or foot problems. They come in sets of three so that I can wear an arch support in my tennis shoes and slippers, too. I also bought a pair of Dr. Scholl gel inserts for women and they are not bad either, but then, I don't wear them every day......maybe every two or three days.....I don't buy expensive tennis shoes....mine cost in the $50-$60 range and I wear them till the soles get worn down. You have a hard decision to make. Hope my experience helps

I also work in a warehouse. The expensive-for-Walmart ones that you step onto the machine to fit work well for me, but should be replaced every six months to a year. I also wear foot cushions on top of that. We are required to wear steel toed boots, or I would chuck the whole thing for Sketchers.

I wear the New Balance 1123 and they are made so that orthotics will fit into the shoes and not make the shoes too small. New Balance shoes are the only brand I've found that make a women's 2E/ww.
Sharon

I wear new ballance 928 with the walk fit inserts. For some shoe sizes you can get the walk fits at Target in the pharmacy department. For only $20 us worth a try. I was bothered by plantar facitis and the walk fit worked better than the $200 inserts from the doctor. It comes with 3 arch sizes. Even bought my sons some and they also love them.

I too have orthotics from the podiatrist. They are wonderful. I have a pair for my New Balance (I take out their insert and add mine) and he has also made sandels for me. I have Noat and Birkenstein with the inserts in them. I can wear these all day. Luckily my insurance covers 2 sets a year. He also told me the higher the number for New Balance the better they will be for your feet. He was right. Good luck.

QuilterJ, I, too, have flat feet. I have used off the shelf orthotics in the past, but am now wearing an old pair of Nike running shoes with no orthotics and the original insert taken out. They're ugly, but my feet hurt less in them.

Now I have to add to this post that I also have an inherited neuropathy and arthritis in my right foot. I don't think there is an orthotic out there that can fully relieve my foot pain.

This is generally good advice. However, I did go to a shoe store that specialized in hard to fit feet and filled orthotic prescription shoes. All I got from them was the same old shoes I could buy anywhere, but they wanted to pad the heck out of them in an attempt to force them to fit. Needless to say, I did not buy shoes from them.

I have long, narrow feet - 10.5 length with a AAAAA width, which is very hard to find. Putting me in a B or D width shoe and padding it doesn't work. I know because I have had to do that with almost every shoe I ever wore. If I'm going to pay big bucks for a shoe, it is going to fit my foot without all that extra padding.

My Podiatrist said my feet bones were becoming squatted as I have more bones then normal in my foot, accessory ossiclean, and that was causing my foot pain. I bought inserts from him and they have helped a lot. If your foot/feet hurt when resting and not so much when walking then you may have squatted feet, inserts will be your friend.

I have a very small foot, extra high instep and super narrow heel. It is hard to fit my foot for shoes, much less for inserts. Spend what it takes for a Dr to write you an Rx. The only feet you will ever have are at the end of your legs, and if you don't take care of them they will hurt you

Went to Wally world and stepped on the 'tester' and bought the inserts recommended. I have nerve damage on the bottom of my right foot - and those inserts work wonderfully for me. I can't walk barefoot or without the inserts, or I feel it. Plus, I've discovered that if I haven't been drinking enough water, my foot will start hurting even with the insert. So I make sure I drink enough water, wear my inserts and I'm good to go. I work in a job where I'm on my feet a lot during the day, so its a blessing to be able to do it without all the pain. Everybody is different - had the inserts not worked, then a custom shoe store would have been my next stop. My DH paid over $300 for a pair several years ago - and I didn't want to go that way unless I absolutely HAD to....

I too wear new balance. the ones i wear have a stabilizer in the heels! Helps me not to fall! Love em!

Just throwing this out there.....worked for years on concrete floors...for me the New Balance shoes worked great...

Just happened to find this post. I've worked in factories for almost 20 yrs. All my jobs were standing or moving within the production areas, 8 to 12 hrs on 7 day shifts. A sports med. dr advised the top of the line New Balance if I wasn't going to spend over $300 for orthotics, which the insurance wouldn't pay for. After trying many types of sportswear shoes (before going to heavy orthopedic shoes) I bought a pair of Skechers to replace my shoes that I wore at home. I found that I could wear them right out of the box, no breaking in, wonderful support and cushioning. Since my areas at work didn't require steel-toed shoes, I wore them to work the next shift. Could not believe the difference in my feet and legs when I returned home! No achy legs or feet! As a Supervisor on my last job, I walked over 6 miles a shift, just back and forth in the factory during the shift (we didn't have comfy desks on the production floor), so I bought 2 pair of black Skechers and alternated every day. I'm not a little person by no means, and am convinced that my Skechers saved my feet from those horrible concrete floors!
Of course, not everyone's feet are the same, but thought I'd throw in my 2 cents worth for your consideration. I still buy them (in white for everyday) online from the Skecher sites, Footsmart or sites where they sell nursing shoes, whenever they are on sale. That way I'll never be without a pair, should they discontinue my favorites. Hope my experience will help someone else.

I have had orthotic inserts, and the problem with them is that they move around if they aren't permanently attached to your shoe, and if you put the inserts in your regular shoes, it moves your foot up just enough so that the backs of your shows are at the wrong spot and then THAT hurts. If you really need supportive shoes for your job, I'd suggest getting the shoes that are already made for your particular issues, not getting inserts.

I wear Chaco shoes from REI or buy online at Chaco.com. They fit my high arch perfect and are very comfortable, hold the foot secure. They are sold as hiking shoes. I have worn them about 7 years. About 35 years ago I bought orthotics at the L A. County fair. They were expensive but my thinking is my feet are very important and if they hurt I can't do the work I need to do. When they wore out I saw an infomercial on TV that looked like the same arch supports so I ordered them and they sold for just a fraction of the original brand. I put them in all of my other shoes and I can walk all day and my feet never hurt. I might say it took me a couple weeks to get used to wearing them. The Chaco'si wear areZ1

It's funny that I just stumbled on this thread. I bought those inserts at the local Walmart after going through the process of that "foot machine". I have worn them for maybe a year or two but just a few days ago, I stopped. My feet were tired and sore every night and my legs too. Plus I had just bought new Dr. Scholl's sneakers and when I put the inserts in, my feet were too high and too far forward in the sneakers, toes rubbing and all. Since the new sneakers were padded in both the arch area and the heel area, I decided to go without for a few days and see how I did. Well, my feet feel so much better! Wish I had never gotten them. Best to buy decent shoes/sneakers. As someone else mentioned, you only get one pair of feet in your lifetime so treat them well.

Good shoes, even the ugly Grandmaw ones, help you to stand up all day with no pain. I wore Clarks for over 20 years in retail. Walked all day could only sit at lunch. I would recommend a foot massage as a treat. It feels so good. I had my first on in China and my feet were singing for weeks after. Hugs

I'm curious.... for those of you who got inserts but found that they forced your feet too high and forward in the shoe - are you taking out the original insert before putting in the after-market one? My mother had this issue and when I checked her shoes to see what the problem was, I discovered that she hadn't removed the shoe's original insert.

I think it is better to go to the podiatrist! I wear Birkenstock sandals in the summer and use my orthopedics in my Easy Spirit shoes the rest of the time.

I had plantar fasciitis too. Even had surgery on left foot, because the fasciitis was too far along. The only shoe that helped was the z-coil(cost more than $200). Was able to postpone surgery for more than a year.
BUT I would like to caution any one who buys them to also spend the extra money on heel covers(covers the coil part)was at that time more than $50. I loved my z-coils until I tripped on a wire/rope and shattered my upper left arm. Had 3 surgeries and more than a year of PT; still has less than 50% mobility, 2 1/2 years later. So buy those covers PLEASE.
I am not affiliated with z-coil; they just worked for me.

Wow I did not know they had the covers. I did trip a time or two on the vacuum cleaner cord, but fortunately was able to catch myself. I just learned to be very careful of cords. Thanks for the info!