Question for Custom Orthotics users

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2008-08-28 12:10 AM

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Veteran
138
10025
Orange County
Subject: Question for Custom Orthotics users
How long does i take to get used to new orthotics? I have my first Oly in 10 days.

I just picked my custom orthotics yesterday and ran in them tonight for 4 miles. My right foot is a little more than 1/4 inch shorter than the left and the arch was pretty flattened out in the right foot. The right foot Orthotic for the shorter right leg feels like it evened out my gait, but man oh man it tore up my right arch which is definately not used to the new arch.

2008-08-28 2:34 AM
in reply to: #1633871

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Master
1548
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Perth, Australia
Subject: RE: Question for Custom Orthotics users
Hi! I've been wearing orthotics since I was about 15 years old. I don't remember having any issues when I first started using them, but I wasn't a runner then! 10 days to your first Oly, that doesn't sound like you have much time! It may take you a while to get used to them. Have you tried putting them under the insole of your running shoe, or rubbing something like Bodyglide on your arches before you go for a run?
2008-08-28 7:09 AM
in reply to: #1633871

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Question for Custom Orthotics users
Whenever I have had a pair made, the Doctor always tells me to ease into wearing them, a few hours a day or what I can tolerate. From the beginning I was always able to wear fulltime. I run in them with one pair of running shoes (Pearl Izumi) but not my other main pair (Newtons). However I ALWAYS wear them in regular shoes to walk around in, or at work. If you are used to running with out, I would say skip them for the race.
2008-08-28 7:32 AM
in reply to: #1633871

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Master
2202
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St. Louis
Subject: RE: Question for Custom Orthotics users
I never needed to get used to mine. I basically put em in, and continued training as normal.
2008-08-28 7:34 AM
in reply to: #1633871

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New user
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Charlotte, NC
Subject: RE: Question for Custom Orthotics users
I got a pair of custom orthotics this year and definately had to ease into them a few hours a day over a couple weeks. If I wore them too long at first, they hurt. And my doc did let me know that would be the case. Now I wear them all of the time, including at work, while training, and during races. I didn't run in them until I could walk in them without any pain or discomfort.
2008-08-28 7:54 AM
in reply to: #1633871

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Expert
789
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Lake Forest, Illinois
Subject: RE: Question for Custom Orthotics users

I started using mine right away in training.  It took about 4-5 days before my feet adapted and I didn't notice them anymore.

I'm not sure it is recommended, but I wore mine as much as possible as soon as I got them.

2008-08-28 8:10 AM
in reply to: #1634147

Champion
6539
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South Jersey
Subject: RE: Question for Custom Orthotics users

You should wear them for one hour the first day, two hours the second day, three hours the third day, etc. You should not run in them until you are up to wearing them for 8 hrs a day or so. Also, you shouldn't just jump into long runs with them either.

If they give you blisters at all, take them back and have the doc make some adjustments. Blisters aren't part of the adjustment process (considering you follow the process appropriately). A good doc should have outlined your "breaking in" schedule for you.

Custom orthotics to Oly in 10 days...I don't recommend it...



Edited by LaurenSU02 2008-08-28 8:11 AM
2008-08-28 9:56 AM
in reply to: #1633871

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Extreme Veteran
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500100
Rochester, MN
Subject: RE: Question for Custom Orthotics users
The written instructions that came with my last pair are just like what Lauren says, an hour a day up to 7 hours at the end of the first week.  Children usually adapt more rapidly than adults.  But like some others, I started running in mine right away, although I kept it to shorter distances, like less than 5 miles for the first few runs.  I only wear mine when I run.  I now have 2 pairs, a hard silicon pair and a softer pair.  They can "wear out" over time and need adjustments.      
2008-08-28 11:23 AM
in reply to: #1633871

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Champion
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Evergreen, Colorado
Subject: RE: Question for Custom Orthotics users
Some body glide can help prevent rubbing/blisters during the "getting used to them" stage.  But if they continue then the orthotics should really be adjusted.
2008-08-28 11:26 AM
in reply to: #1633871

Expert
936
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Salisbury
Subject: RE: Question for Custom Orthotics users
Like others have said..work them in slowly.  10 days might be enough but it might not be either. You'll probably just have to see as you get closer.
2008-08-28 12:22 PM
in reply to: #1633871

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Extreme Veteran
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West Michigan
Subject: RE: Question for Custom Orthotics users
I wore mine on a 4 mile run the first day I got them and it ended up taking weeks before my feet felt better. I messed my feet up a lot and wouldn't recommend doing it this way.

I too wear mine in all my shoes and wear birkenstock's in the summer so I don't need the orthotics in those.

I would not recommend using the orthotics in the OLY as you don't have enough time to break your feet in to the orthotics. It's a misconception that you're breaking in the orthotics, the orthotic is to support the feet and the feet have to adjust to them...

2008-08-28 12:32 PM
in reply to: #1633871

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Champion
5782
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Northridge, California
Subject: RE: Question for Custom Orthotics users
It depends on how aggressive the prescription is...I have definitely had an adjustment period with both pairs I've had over the last eight years. I have almost no arch in my left foot and there's definitely a period of about three days where I won't run more than 2-3 miles. Based on my experience, I absolutely would never run more than a mile or two the first day (really, I don't run at all the first day...at least not with the new inserts). Sounds like you have the mirror image of my situation (in my case, my left foot is about a 1/4 inch longer, with no arch to speak of), so I'd expect you'd have similar reactions to the new and very rigid support under your fallen arch. You should be fine well before your Oly...just ease into it a bit.

Not all orthotics (and orthotic prescriptions...and syndromes being treated) are the same. Your reaction will be specific to you and it's wise to err on the safe side when first wearing them.
2008-08-28 12:42 PM
in reply to: #1633871

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Master
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Subject: RE: Question for Custom Orthotics users
I'd probably skip them for your oly, unless you are having tremendous pain without them.

It took me a long time to get used to mine (3-4 weeks), and they still don't feel "right." My left leg is shorter than the other, but when we corrected that with a heal lift, I began overpronating more with the other leg.

I'm eligible for insurance to get a different pair next year, and I'm going to try with a different doc.
2008-08-28 12:57 PM
in reply to: #1633871

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Master
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Subject: RE: Question for Custom Orthotics users

Took me a long time (at least 7 weeks) to get used to mine. 

You could get lucky and adapt to them right away, but is it really worth the consequence of potentially screwing up the alignment of your hips or back if things go wrong?

Ease in to them and fix the problems you're having. Don't create new problems by being impatient. 

2008-08-28 2:21 PM
in reply to: #1633871

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Master
1563
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Chicago
Subject: RE: Question for Custom Orthotics users
I seem to remember getting used to mine pretty quick, but I know others that it took awhile.  It really helps if you throw them in your everyday shoes to walk around in.
2008-08-28 2:35 PM
in reply to: #1635188

Champion
6539
5000100050025
South Jersey
Subject: RE: Question for Custom Orthotics users
cordova61 - 2008-08-28 1:57 PM

Took me a long time (at least 7 weeks) to get used to mine. 

You could get lucky and adapt to them right away, but is it really worth the consequence of potentially screwing up the alignment of your hips or back if things go wrong?

Ease in to them and fix the problems you're having. Don't create new problems by being impatient. 

Exactly. There's more to wearing orthotics than just how your feet "feel" in them. Hence the reason for an adjustment period. Your doc should really have educated you on all this; it's a bummer s/he didn't .

2008-08-28 7:28 PM
in reply to: #1633871

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Veteran
138
10025
Orange County
Subject: RE: Question for Custom Orthotics users
I appreciate all the responses. I will wear them a few hours each day and see how I progress. I think I was just overly excited about the hopeful fix to a 2 year problem. I wore them for 3 hrs today and my feet are just sore from the run yesterday with the orthotics.

Thanks again.
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