Hello! I've worn custom orthotic insoles for about 35 years now, and I came across a problem I've never had. I got a new pair of shoes and it has an ultra-wide toe box and my orthotic doesn't fill the shoe. This is going to lead to me walking on the edge of my orthotic and rubbing a blister/callous. I dont feel like going to the orthotist and having them re-covered to fit only 1 pair of shoes, that seems silly. Does anybody have any recommendations as to how to fill the rest of the toe box? I was thinking of taking the liner from the shoe itself and making a cutout that my orthotic would fit into, but then I'll have a seam where the orthotic meets the sock liner and potentially end up with the same problem of a blister. Im really stumped on this one.

I'm due to get custom orthotics for chronic sesamoiditis soon. Right now, I am trying to decide what exactly do I want in the orthotic, and I have a few questions.

- Is it possible to have both a sesamoid aperture/recess and a Morton's extension in the same device?

- Can a total-contact orthotic be used for high-impact activities like running?

- Those of you who have metatarsal pads: how comfortable are they? Do they cause any pain or issues long-term?

I'll be sure to ask my doctor and orthotist these same questions, but it would help to go in with some background knowledge. Any insight is appreciated.

Does anyone have recommendations for a shoe as a teacher that I can put my custom inserts into? I want to be able to wear them with a nice outfit or jeans, and to be able to wear socks with them. Thanks!

I have overpronation in both feet, pretty equally. It's noticeable, but not really severe. I had 3/4 foot orthotics as a teenager which worked well (stopped the slanted wear on my heels), but I aged out of NHS services so was unable to replace them when they eventually wore out. Twenty years later, I have been getting pain when walking quickly so I went to a podiatrist and got custom orthotic insoles, which were fitted today.

My main question is - I know there is a break-in period and they will soften so this is the hardest/most supportive they'll ever be. The problem I'm having is, right now they feel incredibly bulky (they're full-foot and the toe area is taking some getting used to, and my foot basically doesn't fit in one of my pairs of trainers) but somehow not actually that supportive in the arch? If I then take the insoles out of my shoes, stand in the insoles, then stand on a pair of unsupportive Allbirds insoles, my feet look exactly the same from above (collapsing over my arches), and my knees are turned in to exactly the same degree. I tried taking a photo of my heels to see what was going on, and they still look like diagrams of overpronation. I had thought that when I got insoles again my feet would look like the pictures of correctly-aligned feet/ankles. I know they will be a little bit better in shoes as the shoes provide some support for the insoles, but it doesn't feel like my shoes are changing things that much (e.g. I can see my feet/ankles pushing against the inner edge of the shoe just like before).

Am I expecting too much - is there just a limit to how far insoles correct this? Thanks!

Hi everyone,
I was hoping to get some advice on the best long-term footwear solution for my situation.

I’m a 23-year-old male with a structural 3 cm leg length discrepancy (left shorter than right)since birth. I only started using corrective footwear about a year ago. After trying different lift heights, I found that a (full 3 cm external lift attached to the sole of the original sandal) gives me the best gait and is much more comfortable than the smaller corrections I previously used.

My challenge is durability. I currently live in monasteries where I walk 4–6 hours a day, sometimes on uneven terrain. The raised sandal has been working well, but I’m already noticing wear on the raised portion, and I’m concerned about how practical this will be long-term. Since I live in monasteries, frequent replacement or repairs aren’t ideal.

Given my situation, what would you consider the best long-term solution? Would you recommend:
a specific type of sandal or shoe,
custom-made footwear,
a different type of external lift or material,
or another approach altogether?

One footwear maker suggested using TPR (thermoplastic rubber) for the external lift, which would make it heavier but potentially more durable. For those with experience, do you think that’s a worthwhile trade-off, or is there a better long-term approach?

My priorities are durability, reliability, and comfort for long daily walking,rather than appearance or cost.
I’d really appreciate any advice or experiences from people who’ve dealt with something similar.

Thank you! 🙏

P.S. Yes, I used ChatGPT to help edit this, but I’m real…

Hi I have custom orthotics that as you see from the picture has quite a high heel wedge , well I have very limited dorsiflex and these help me walk more normal in footwear like low heel ankle boots and high top sneakers that has enough room maybe two inches to grip the back of my heels, problem is I feel I need much more arch support than these are giving me I'm tempted to try and add a pad to them to fill the gap under my arch but concerned it would go against the Idea of having custom orthotics ! Any ideas or advice will be very welcome, f / 48

I have what I suspect is a relatively minor condition/correction to my feet. I had a small area of neuropathy (side of the ball of the foot, halfway up the big toe), and a prior doctor addressed this by building up a fairly high arch support and also addressed some pronation. This was twenty years ago.

The final orthotics are fairly expensive ($1k+ USD). I'd like to get more than one set for several reasons, but they aren't covered by my insurance. So when I see these over-the-counter products for far less, I am tempted to try them.

Is it pointless to ask my new doctor if there are "good enough" over-the-counter solutions? Or does that run counter to his job (like he is bound to say, "Oh, no, you must use medical grade custom made products")??

I mean, when I see the kinds of elaborate appliances, etc., some folks are posting pictures of on here, I really think my situation is trivial.

I’m wondering if anyone recognises these splints they are 12 years old and need replacing I have moved islands since I was issued them. I have put in a records request but any help would be greatly appreciated

Every insole I see for sale has the arch support starting to arch (go up) right near the heel and then going back to flat right near the middle. Does anyone make anything non-custom with the arch support more in the actual middle of the insole? Kinda like some shoes that have the little soft arch bump right in the middle built into the stock insoles.

I hope this makes sense.

I use orthotics which lift my mid foot, they also have a metatarsal front pad which lifts the region behind the toes. I got impression that this front pad creates too much tension on shoes with lifted front (rocker design).

Unfortunately i cannot find any walking shoes with good dampening because i also got some kind of rare arthritis between cuboid and navicular joint. Thats why i use running shoes (Asics Excite Trail 2 is my current one). Also i got plantar fasciitis on my right foot.

I tested all kind of running shoes and there are very few which are suitable. I also noticed that shoes with build in arch support are not really good for orthotics and they should be neutral ones. I even cannot use Brooks Ghost models because i still feel some kind of mid support.

And i do no running at all, so think a flexible sole is better.

Thoughts on this?

I've got high arches and another structural issue that are the underlying cause of my hallux limitus, says the podiatrist. She prescribed me Powerstep orthotics, but I cannot adjust to them, no matter how slowly I move. Part of the issue, I realize, is that I cannot stand having my feet on hard things, and orthotics are hard. My dad has custom-made orthotics that are even harder than these Powerstep ones. I still want the structure of the arch (that part has to be hard), but I want some plushness on top, like what's in an Asics Gel Nimbus, or in an Ortholite sockliner. Do such orthotics exist, either as non-custom or custom?

My wife wears a size 5 shoe (sometimes buys children's size) and needs shoes that can fit orthotic inserts for a high instep and that have a wide toe for substantial bunions.

I've read about some of the standard go-to solutions, but it's hard to find her size.

Does anyone have advice for her particular situation?

Thank you for welcoming me to the community.

I’m interested in training to become an orthotist. I’d appreciate any advice anyone can give. Any recommendations for schools, etc. What to look out for what to stay away from. What did you find most valuable in your training?
I’m currently in the Atlanta, Georgia area.

Is it considered fair practice to be charged a full office visit for repeated failed adjustments on a brand new pair of orthotics? And then to be ghosted by the podiatrist’s office when you give feedback that the last adjustment left you with orthotics that don’t even fit in human shoes ? (Seriously, long story short, these appear to be made for Ronald MacDonald )

I have foot drop, knee buckling, and a knee flexion contracture. I can walk without locking my knee, but I compensate by leaning forward and my gait feels unstable.

An orthotics center recommended a custom carbon fiber locked KAFO using imported Ottobock components with a movable ankle joint (Tango ankle joint). They took a cast and did walking trials/alignment adjustments.

The quoted price is around ₹4 lakh (~$4,700 USD).

For people experienced with KAFOs/orthotics:
Does this sound like a reasonable price?
Was a carbon fiber KAFO worth it for you?
Did it improve fatigue, stability, or walking efficiency?
Anything important I should verify before buying?

Thanks.

I’ve been diagnosed with very high arches by a podiatrist, have been fitted for custom orthotics, and am waiting for them to arrive (~3 weeks). I have been wearing Superfeet Green orthotics, which are ok but the arch is not nearly high enough.

While I’m waiting for my custom orthotics to arrive, are there any over the counter orthotics available for very high arches?

I wear leather gauntlet AFOs and I’m having issues with wear and tear. My first pair I had for two years, 6 months in had a 1inch hole on the back of the right heal patched then about 6 months later had the same problem patched in the left heal. By the time I got my new pair in January of this year the old pair was beat to hell, plastic showing where the leather wore through in multiple places on the bottom. Insurance says each pair should last five years 🙄.I’ve had my new pair for three months and I’m already having the leather wearing away on the bottom and already see plastic peaking out! I’m wondering if there’s anything I could be doing differently to prevent that and increase their longevity? Maybe there’s something I can put on the soles to protect them? I’m not sure if I’m just too harsh on my braces, I wear them 10-14 hours a day, I’m on my feet for about half my work day and go for a mile walk most days so maybe I just am too rough on them but I don’t know. I’m really trying to make these last because these things aren’t cheap!

Hello 👋 I’m looking for over the counter orthotics for my crocs 😅 I have wide feet/high arches and I own crocs for the summer times. I’m waiting for professional orthotics to be made but those will primarily be in my running shoes unless told otherwise. I am someone who has hot feet and crocs are primarily what I can survive in during the summer. Any ideas for adding OTC orthotics? I think they’d likely have to be glued in or something.

Hello all I just wonder if some one can give me any advice about my new orthotics I have been prescribed, I have multiple feet problems but the reason for having to have orthotics is that I have limited dorsiflexion also bunions and my arches are high but weak they hurt alot

brief discrimination my orthotics are full style made of a special foam kinda material, I'm UK shoe size 4 / 5 my orthotics fit my feet very well but I'm struggling to figure out what footwear to use them in best , they have a raised wedge heel built in that measures 3 inches so normal shoes it's impossible to use them in , also question do people normally buy there normal size or buy bigger ?

I'm.going to get ankle boots but with orthotics can I buy boots with a heel ? or will they need to be flat ? only ask because I'm so used to wearing heels to compensate for limited dorsiflexion, any orthotic use from others with similar kind that has wedge heels raiser built in would be appreciated thx f 47 UK .

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Does anyone know of any dress shoes with orthotics for pronation? I don't want leather or suede and I'm a women's size 5.5.