I went to the Podiatrist the other day. First time in about 7 years. My current orthotics are inscribed 1995. They are hard plastic compound.

THAT'S THE WAY IT USED TO BE AND I BET THEY WRECKED THE LINING OF YOUR SHOE.

Things have changed. The bloke podiatrist, previously I had only seen females, asked me where I had got my shoes from. I was thinking it was a opening ploy. But he wasn’t interested in how they fitted – he wanted to get a pair. He copied down the Herrings and Pediwear sites and said he’s always wanted a pair of Goodyear welted brogues. Not a bad start.

THE FEMALE THING IS DYING. A RECOMMENDED A FRIEND ATTEND ONE OF THE SUPPOSED BEST PODS IN SYDNEY  - A LECTURER NO LESS - AND SHE ENDED UP WITH A STUFFED BACK AFTER WALKING ON THE BEACH WITHG THE POD'S ORTHOTICS.

Small anecdote for Oz readers. He told me how he orders athletic shoes online – apparently the mark up is just as bad on athletic brands name shoes. He also mentioned how he had wanted a two way radio thingo for ski coaching his son. Same as emergency services use. Usually only sold in Oz in bulk buys. Finally he found someone in Oz who would sell him one for $1,300. He searched online – same brand newer model - $180 aud delivered from overseas.

QED.

Anyway its 2011.  Now they have carbon fibre orthotics. Strong, some flex, light as feather and, get this shooey, thinner in the shoe. Take up less space for same support. Seemed about as thick as two business cards.

RUBBER IS STILL USED - I HAVE THEM - BUT MY SON WENT TO A CHIRO WHO FIXED UP ADOLESCENT BACK ISSUES HE HAD AND THEN HAD AN IMPRESSION TAKEN AND THESE RUBBER THINGS SENT IN FROM AMERICA. HE SAYS THEY ARE GOOD.

Next surprise. As well as the old way of looking at gait by getting me to walk up and down a long passage they now have a video set up on a walking machine. They film gait while you walk on machine than save it and analyze on computer. They cansave record for future comapraisons.

THIS HAS BEEN IN FOR YEARS.

He played it back to me – great stuff. He was able to extract stills and blow them up on Home Theatre sized screen on wall and draw lines etc to explain ankle action and the effect of my “short Achilles”

I’m pleased to have a knowledgeable professional who likes shoes and isn’t just going to recommend “comfortable shoes”. In fact he said that comfortable shoes like Rockports can be a trap. They feel good for first two months then cease to support properly.

I’m back next week for the mould of my foot then I’ll get my new thin orthotics and they will make wearing shoes a bit better.

THAT MOULD MIGHT BE HANDY FOR YOU TO KEEP AND TO SEND TO SHOOEY'S MELBOURNE MATE FOR A NICE LAST TO BE MADE FOR YOUR NEXT PAIR OF BESPOKE  IMHO of course.

Last edited by meister (2011-01-27 23:20:53)

The other videos appearing on the linked YouTube page about exercise are the only ones I find interesting and meaningful regarding overpronation problems. I think it is better to fix the problem from the root than stuffing your shoes with temporary fixes. But that is just me.

Whatever floats your boat, mate. Ditto the orthotics industry.