Common Foot Conditions Faced by Runners
Runners often face a variety of foot conditions, including:
- Tendonitis: Particularly Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis.
- Stress Fractures: These can occur due to repetitive stress on the bones.
- General Foot Pain: Including lateral column overload or stress on soft tissues.
- Shin Splints: Pain along the shin bone, often due to overuse.
- Knee Pain: Often related to biomechanical issues in the feet and legs.
At Orthotics Plus, we provide professional custom Orthotics to runners – from weekend warriors to marathon runners.
How Insoles Improve Running Biomechanics
Insoles, or foot orthotics, play a crucial role in addressing these issues by improving biomechanics. They help to:
- Offload Stress: By redistributing the load from high-stress areas to those better able to handle it.
- Correct Anatomical Issues: Such as over-pronation or a rigid foot posture.
- Enhance Shock Absorption: Especially important for runners, using materials that provide better cushioning than standard shoe insoles.
Orthotics provide significant benefits for runners, as they provide constant support for the 26 bones and 33 joints that are hard at work!
Customising Orthotics for Runners
Orthotics Plus customises insoles based on the specific needs of each runner. For example:
- Pronation Support: For those with over-pronated foot posture, we build up the arch and tilt the heel laterally.
- Material Choice: We use dense foam, which is more shock-absorbing than plastic, making it ideal for running.
These custom orthotics can also be used in everyday shoes, providing continuous support and comfort.
Important Information for Assessment
For the best outcomes, it’s essential to provide comprehensive information during the assessment, such as:
- Symptoms: Detailing where and when pain occurs.
- Current Shoes: Please bring your current shoes for us to discuss
- Running Routine: Sharing details about the frequency and intensity of running activities.
This information is crucial as it helps in accurately diagnosing issues by understanding the mechanical and stress factors affecting your feet, enabling tailored recommendations
Longevity of Orthotics
The lifespan of custom orthotics can vary based on factors like body weight and mileage.
Generally, orthotics last between two to three years, but for avid runners, they might need replacement after 18 months to two years due to material compression and loss of shock absorption.
Assessment Process for Runners
The assessment process at Orthotics Plus is thorough for each and every patient, which involves:
- Biomechanical Analysis: Including observing the patient running, either down a corridor or outside if required.
- Symptom Evaluation: Identifying the root causes of pain and discomfort to tailor the orthotics effectively.
Assessments can take place at any of our clinic locations throughout Melbourne.
Custom Orthotics vs. Off-the-Shelf Insoles
While off-the-shelf insoles can be a temporary solution, custom orthotics provide superior support and comfort because they are tailored to the individual’s foot structure and specific needs.
This reduces the risk of issues like blisters or improper support positioning.
Shoe Selection and Orthotic Interaction
Choosing the right running shoes is crucial for optimal performance and injury prevention.
Certain running shoes are designed to offer specific support and cushioning based on foot type and running style. When combined with orthotics, the synergy between the shoe and orthotic can significantly enhance biomechanical efficiency.
Proper shoe selection involves considering factors such as arch height, shoe height, pronation patterns etc.
The right combination can help in distributing pressure more evenly across the foot, reducing the risk of common running injuries such as plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and stress fractures.
Potential Disadvantages of Orthotics
During the early phases some mild foot discomfort and some mild skin rubbing can occur but this nearly always resolves in a few runs. People do sometimes feel foot and ankle muscles that haven’t been used are a bit sore initially due to posture and alignment changes (usually a good thing).
Patients do sometimes feel a sense of dependency on their orthotics and if they get used to running with them all the time.
You can always wean off using orthotics, or cease using once an acute issue has resolved, however if the underlying biomechanical issues remain, discontinuing orthotic use might lead to the return of symptoms.
As such, there are minimal disadvantages to using Orthotics.
Contact Orthotics Plus
Orthotics Plus is dedicated to providing high-quality, customised orthotics that enhance running performance and prevent injuries.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner or starting to make strides, our orthotics would love to keep your feet in good health.
For more information or to book an assessment, contact Orthotics Plus today.
