Orthotics

[cool-emath]

I have 2 friends (physical therapist and a chiropractor) whom recently fitted me for orthotics My PT guy did the traditional foot in neutral cast and came back with a much thicker product from a company called Sporthoics. It has the high arch on the inside of the orthotic but is smooth and flat throughtout the rest of the device. These devices were covered by insurance and I did not pay a dime.

The chiropractor scanned my feet with a new scanning technology while I was standing on the scanner and the scan showed my feet's pressure points (which is the whole foot since I am as flat footed as the day is long) and sent the electronic scan to Foot Levers, Inc. which cast a much smaller thinner orthotic but there are more arches built into it. My back guy friend told me that there are 3 arches in the foot that need supported and traditional orthotics like the ones I mentioned above that are cast in the neutral position only support 1 or 2 of those arches. With the scanning technology, he stated that these orthotics were superior to those. These ones cost be $110 (with my friends discounted already included).

Which orthotic is the best for me to use since I am a 6'1 192 lb runner who is training 40-60 miles a week for 2 marathons a year? I have been wearing the back guys ones since they came in first, but I have had to add insert my insoles on top of the orthotics to stop the blisters. All IT band issues and legs issues have had are now gone, but I do not want any new issues to crop up. The main problem I have with the PT guys ones is that they only cover 2/3 of the shoe, and my toes are left to push off the base of the shoe with no padding. I will take any advice on this matter. Thanks!

[kemplr]

Hello,

Personally I don't think much of the scanner technology devices. Its measuring your foot when it's in a resting phase. I measure the arch height from the neutral cast and not when the foot is resting. I'm guessing that they just guess arch height and all the other variables for an orthotic? A custom made neutral cast orthotic can incorporate all different variables. You can get a full length cover added to the current orthotics for extra cushioning. You can also incorporate the 3 different arches into the shell of a neutral cast orthotic. You can add a metatarsal arch to the current orthotic if you are still having problems. The scanner tech orthotics are probably made of compressible material which will last you about 3 months if you are doing that amount of training. Are the casted orthotics polypropylene? If it is these will last you much longer and provide more support.

How is the comfort of the current orthotics? Why are you wearing them? Are you not satisfied with them?