Readers Experiences with Orthotics

Readers' Experiences with Orthotics and Insoles

Barbara: A knee injury in 1990 led to many years of knee pain, despite deep tissue massage, physical therapy, chiropractic, etc. I finally found out that I do have arthritis in that knee, and probably the other, but since I wasn't complaining about the other knee, they didn't xray it.
So, I kept trying to find a good shoe insert to use to help both my knee as well as accomodate for my admittedly "weird" feet. I inherited foot oddities from both parents and have been told I should have surgery. I tried Spenco arch supports, other arch supports, as infinitem, but things only worked for a little while and then the pain would return.
Then, locally here in Eugene Oregon, a woman has an orthotic business and I went to her back in the early 80s when I was still doing aerobic classes. She sold me some blue inserts and made some modifications to them for my feet. They worked great, except after about a year I'd need new ones.
So, earlier this year, I went back to her again to see what other ideas she might have, knowing I was walking as much as I am and that my goal is the Portland Marathon in 2000. I now can walk for many miles without any knee or foot pain, and have ended much of the foot callus build-up that used to occur as well as the blisters and nail problems I have had.
The orthotics are a soft type of white foam on the outside with the middle portion a denser foam and the base layer a spongy blue color. She built them up individually over a two month period as I wore them in walking shoes, and I go back periodically for her to tweak them her or there as needed.
When worn with good shoes found at really specialty running/walking shoe stores, where people really know how to fit MY feet, t'is a dream come true! I figure if my dad's 97 (he is) I better be walking strong for a long time! Feel free to contact me for info., though I can't read email every night. bgleason@teleport.com

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