Sinus Tarsi syndrome

I have orthotic inserts, one lot made privately, the other NHS. The NHS ones are hard and uncomfortable, the private ones soft and comfortable! I put the NHS ones in my slippers for getting me to the loo in the night, as it hurts to walk with no insert; but for all day, I use the private ones.

Thank you luckygirl. Do you wear a certain type of shoe with the insoles? Can you wear sandals?

I've got NHS insoles which, like Luckygirl, I find to be very hard. I didn't know that softer ones could be purchased privately but wonder if they would be as effective?

After I was out of POP having broken my ankle and having had surgery, I was measured for insoles. I took them home, fitted them in my shoes tried to walk and promptly binned the rubbish insoles.

??200 seems a lot to pay for something which will not last all that long.
(if a question mark appears instead of the pound sign, tech is working on it).

I wear Hotter trainers - they are the only shoe that I have found will fit the orthotics. Sandals are not a possibility, even ones with backs.

The NHS ones not only seem hard but the raised bit is in the wrong place for the arch of my foot and is quite uncomfortable. Also it is just a "half foot" and the edge is uncomfortable where it stops. They were measured by me placing my foot in a shoebox full of solid sponge and thus making a cast of my foot.

The private ones were measured by laser, giving a 3D measurement. The private ones are hard underneath, but have a soft insole which goes right down to the toe of the shoe - so no sharp edges. They are infinitely more comfortable, but it may be a poor operator, and the NHS ones elsewhere might be fine. I went for the NHS ones first and only moved on to private when I found them unsatisfactory.

I used to have insoles made by the NHS at an orthopaedic hospital; they were full-shoe leather and lovely and comfortable.
I had a pair made every three months as they did tend to flatten a bit.

When we moved to London from Devon I went for an appointment with the orthopaedic surgeon and was told very curtly to go to the Scholl shop and buy some, I didn't need to see him regularly.
Ever since then I have tried various orthotics and hate them all.

I would try the NHS first, most definitely; you can always 'go private' afterwards if you are not happy with them.
You may need a larger size shoe to accommodate them, unless your feet go down after treatment.

full-size!

The problem that I find with many shoes is that the orthotic takes up space, and pushes your toes upwards, and I was getting ingrowing toenails on my big toes, because they were rubbing against the top of the shoe. I find shoes with a "wall" round the edge are best as they give more toe room.

Thanks to you all. As suggested going give NHS a try first. I will ask my GP for full foot size. If I then find them uncomfortable I'll then try private. I think I will have to shop around for the private inserts if they are required. I didn't know about the laser measurements. I had been told that if I payed for them I could ask for the cast.

Things have moved on since I used to have my NHS ones made years ago!

I may try again as my feet are getting worse and it is affecting my knees.

Cherrytree59, I was given the cast from my NHS insoles and told to take it back in if I want another pair of insoles. I did feel that the NHS service for this was very good (after a long wait).

By the way, I put my insoles inside a pair of Hotter shoes. I have also had problems with my big toes. The nails became bruised after a longish walk probably because the insoles made my toes too near the top of the shoe. I've covered the bruised nails with nail varnish!

I have had to give up the idea of sandals or elegant shoes (not that I ever really did elegant!) and settle for the comfortable ones - since I am never out of my jeans it does not really matter.

I've seen a catalogue for hotter shoes, think I'll take a look, do you still buy your normal shoe size? I also live in jeans. I buy skirts + hang them up in the wardrobe. (But that's prob for another thread)

I do buy my normal size and have found several bargains on ebay - new Hotter shoes with a tiny flaw in them.

Thanks I will look in to. Comfortable feet would be very welcome at the moment

Cherrytree59, it might be worth trying to find a Hotter shop or outlet (there is one in our local garden centre). It would give you a chance to try some on even if you then go online to try and find a bargain.

If you buy Hotter shoes you can take out the insoles in most of them to put your own insole or orthotic in. They also have an offer on in Prima magazine at the moment.

Yes, I do like to try them on before I buy (very funny feet, but not funny ha ha)