I have a slight problem in my build that I have no control over. My right leg is shorter the my left. I was thinking of going to get fitted with orthotics but I was wonder what you guys thought of just trying the Dr. Shcolls? I believe that this problem has a lot to do with some issues I have been having.
With something like that, I would see a professional and get custom orthotics
I’m just curious…how much longer is one leg then the other? how significant is the difference?
In most cases I think custom orthotics are over-prescribed by chiros and physios (>60% profit margins, easy as hell to assess for and covered by most extended health plans), but in the case of a leg length discrepancy a custom orthotic with a heel lift is probably your best bet.
[quote]PimpBot5000 wrote:
In most cases I think custom orthotics are over-prescribed by chiros and physios (>60% profit margins, easy as hell to assess for and covered by most extended health plans), but in the case of a leg length discrepancy a custom orthotic with a heel lift is probably your best bet.[/quote]
Agreed. In most cases the orthotic actually makes the problem worse by providing too much support further reinforcing problems with pronation and supination.
[quote]ucallthatbass wrote:
Agreed. In most cases the orthotic actually makes the problem worse by providing too much support further reinforcing problems with pronation and supination.[/quote]
I think they have their place. If you have a leg length discrepancy, any kind of neuroma, for plantar fasciitis or OA in conjuction with an unloader, but lots of chiros/physios/chiropodists push them on anybody with insurance, to the extent that many MDs think they’re a scam. There was also a pretty damning study done in Australia which concluded that custom orthotics offered no additional benefit over off the shelf ones for most people, although some of the criteria they used was a bit flawed.
Pimpbot I completely agree. They have a place for length discrepancy and plantar fascitis. But they are not needed for typical ‘extra support’ or ‘cushioning’.
Personally, I’d talk to a professional about that sort of thing. I do agree with the other guys about over prescription. Hopefully BBB will come by and give his opinion.
[quote]PimpBot5000 wrote:
[quote]ucallthatbass wrote:
Agreed. In most cases the orthotic actually makes the problem worse by providing too much support further reinforcing problems with pronation and supination.[/quote]
I think they have their place. If you have a leg length discrepancy, any kind of neuroma, for plantar fasciitis or OA in conjuction with an unloader, but lots of chiros/physios/chiropodists push them on anybody with insurance, to the extent that many MDs think they’re a scam. There was also a pretty damning study done in Australia which concluded that custom orthotics offered no additional benefit over off the shelf ones for most people, although some of the criteria they used was a bit flawed.[/quote]
It’s been a couple months, but I read the same study and pretty much agree. The biggest problem with most “custom” orthotics is that they’re made in a rather poor series of unfortunate events. Standing on a block of foam results in a shape to scan that captures, rather than corrects, foot mechanics. Using an unloaded method to capture the shape of the foot is generally a better way to create an insole that puts you in the correct position rather than simply elevating the wrong one. eSoles is one company that does this, though there may be others as well.
I bought some $300 orthodics after doing a scan of my feet. I bought because I was getting crucial shin splints that cheap insoles only took care of for a little bit. The new ones helped out some, but I have since stopped running so I dont know what to think.
I hope I didn’t spend $300+ of my own money for nothing- insurance didn’t cover mine.
[quote]coolnatedawg wrote:
I bought some $300 orthodics after doing a scan of my feet. I bought because I was getting crucial shin splints that cheap insoles only took care of for a little bit. The new ones helped out some, but I have since stopped running so I dont know what to think.[/quote]
This is a good point - even the world’s most perfect insoles won’t completely correct a problem, they’ll only correct it up to the point that foot position/mechanics was a problem. Things like shin splints or stress fractures, for example, depend on a number of other factors as well.
I’ve been told for years that I have to use orthotics (at first by several podiatrist and finally by my orthopedic surgeon)
The difference was my ortho recomended Sole footbeds (he was a triathlete) http://www.yoursole.com/
For a fraction of the costs they do work.
But for somebody with an imblance (like the op) I would recomend having some professionaly done. It’s going to hurt price wise but for your situation the measurements need to be exact.
[quote]Petermus wrote:
I’m just curious…how much longer is one leg then the other? how significant is the difference?[/quote]
When I place both feet on ground and am sitting my right tib looks close to and inch its bad. same with my right foot that is an inch smaller then my left