Best place to get orthotics?

Stark

Okay, have been having all sorts of injury problems due to my flat feet and think it's time I got some orthotics?

Where's the best place to go? Are the over the counter ones any good or do I need to go get them specially fitted?

Morpheus

Im something of an expert here i think....

Ive the same problems, search this forum for posts by "morpheus"...

1. Go see a reputable physio therapist, what you have is technically called over-pronation and can lead to early arthritis if not addressed properly, it can also lead to chronic ankle injuries and unstable ankles which will keep you out of sports and in the physios for longer than you think (i havent fully recovered enough to play yet and im out since october)

2. The Navan Foot and Ankle clinic is brilliant (dont worry, they also have an office in Swords if your in Dublin) The lady there (her name escapes me) is one of the leading experts on over pronation and orthotics developments in Ireland, shes also very pretty .

Also if your on a health scheme, VHI or BUPa, you may be covered (im BUPA on the health manager scheme and was covered) so the costs wont be as high....

professionally fitted orthotics are expensive (€357 for mine and i have to get new ones soon) you may not need them depending on the state of your feet, if your arches are completely flat you may need them, but the over the counter answers can often do more damage than good, so like i said, go see the physio therapist and ask for advice.

any more questions??? shoot.

Stark

€357? Holy crap. I thought it was more like £80. Don't have medical insurance myself, but I think I'm covered by my parents' insurance. How much did it cost you after your insurance paid for some of it?

Imposter

That is expensive. I go to a guy in Tullamore and a new set of insoles costs about 120€ (not 100% but it's around that). Each visit is 15€ iirc.

Scholl stores (there used to be one on Grafton St.) also sometimes have trained people who can do this.

Where are you?

Stark

I'm in Dublin(Fairview) for the next one and a half months, then Cork.

Morpheus

I know its expensive, but thats depending purely on the type of insole you require, and whether or not you need personalised insoles made to measure, what you want them for etc, ive an extreme case, so i needed specialist insoles, you may not need them... someone else may be cheaper, in the end you get what you pay for.

Ill get 70% of the cost back, so its not so bad.

Imposter

Originally posted by Morphéus
I know its expensive, but thats depending purely on the type of insole you require, and whether or not you need personalised insoles made to measure, what you want them for etc, ive an extreme case, so i needed specialist insoles, you may not need them... someone else may be cheaper, in the end you get what you pay for.

Ill get 70% of the cost back, so its not so bad.

What I was quoting was also for custom-made insoles. However the materials used and how long they last may be a reason for the difference in costs. I know for my problem that I can't use the more hard wearing materials as they don't have enough of a cushioning effect. Still and all i get about 2 years out of a set.

I also don't know if it's possible to claim the cost back but I must look into that.

horse7

Any updates on this thread. I know footsolutions is in the market now. Any other company's?

Mars Bar

The thread is 12 years old!!

horse7

Mars Bar wrote: »

The thread is 12 years old!!

And my feet are killing me.

jlm29

The advice is still relevant- go to a properly qualified person and get measured properly, I'd steer clear of places with fancy machines that you step up on to get a "prescription" for off the shelf orthotics.

Darren8525

I totally agree Jim. There is a lot of sales and not to much healthcare going on out there.

Checkout APOS in kilcolgan. The staff are properly qualified (have been to college and have a degree) They are not expensive either.