Foot support for overpronation?
rankinsect
Posts: 2,238 Member
So I've been having some ankle pain after walking, I believe due to weak arches / overpronation of the ankle. I have an appointment with my doctor, but it will be six weeks to see my PCP and longer if I need to see someone in orthopedics.
Anyone have luck with over the counter shoe inserts? What specific products did you use? I want to at least try something while I wait to see the doctor. The pain is not very intense, but long hikes are part of my long term fitness goals so I want to take care of my joints.
Anyone have luck with over the counter shoe inserts? What specific products did you use? I want to at least try something while I wait to see the doctor. The pain is not very intense, but long hikes are part of my long term fitness goals so I want to take care of my joints.
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Replies
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I bypassed the foot inserts and went straight to my local shoe store that specialized in running and walking shoes. They put me on a treadmill to evaluate my pronation and then suggested appropriate shoes for my feet. You will pay more for your shoes but you would get shoes that work for you based on your pronation. It was one of the best investments in myself I ever made.0
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rhtexasgal wrote: »I bypassed the foot inserts and went straight to my local shoe store that specialized in running and walking shoes. They put me on a treadmill to evaluate my pronation and then suggested appropriate shoes for my feet. You will pay more for your shoes but you would get shoes that work for you based on your pronation. It was one of the best investments in myself I ever made.
This.
Also, see if your running specialty store has free Physiotherapy Injury Screenings. This is when a physical therapist comes in and evaluates you based upon certain physical tests (i.e bend over this way and lift your leg this way, now walk foward for me). They can pinpoint a lot of things you can do from correct running form to exercises in building weak muscles that is causing the pain.0 -
So there are specific shoes to buy if you overpronate as well. Asics makes one called the Kayano. I used to buy them because I thought they were the most comfortable shoe I'd ever worn. Then my doctor told me I was having knee pain due to having a neutral foot and those shoes weren't for me.
I'm sure many other brands have shoes just the same and I think someone also mentioned running stores to assist in that area.
Good luck!0 -
Which shoes do you walk in, make and model?0
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SuperFeet.0
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check with your local running store in the meantime while waiting to see your doctor. Get fitted. Hopefully, that will clear up any pain you might be having.0
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rhtexasgal wrote: »I bypassed the foot inserts and went straight to my local shoe store that specialized in running and walking shoes. They put me on a treadmill to evaluate my pronation and then suggested appropriate shoes for my feet. You will pay more for your shoes but you would get shoes that work for you based on your pronation. It was one of the best investments in myself I ever made.
This.Leslierussell4134 wrote: »So there are specific shoes to buy if you overpronate as well. Asics makes one called the Kayano. I used to buy them because I thought they were the most comfortable shoe I'd ever worn. Then my doctor told me I was having knee pain due to having a neutral foot and those shoes weren't for me.
I'm sure many other brands have shoes just the same and I think someone also mentioned running stores to assist in that area.
Good luck!
And this. Every brand of (real) running shoes do make shoe models specifically for those who over-pronate. They don't have to be just for running, either.
My father has problem with his feet and he and my mom were at a running expo with my sister and I a few years ago. As luck would have it, my mom won a free pair of shoes at the Brooks display. My dad doesn't run, of course, but my sister suggested that he go use the voucher and get the gait analysis they were offering and get the free pair of shoes. He swore they were the best shoes he'd ever owned because they actually fit his feet and supported the way he walks.
Getting shoes to fit the way you walk will be the best first step you can make without seeing a doctor. I'd highly suggest it.0 -
Love the suggestion to go to a running store - there's one pretty close by that gets good reviews for their gait analysis, I'll swing by tomorrow. Much faster than seeing the doc
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A lot of people on here have said go to a decent running store and get a gait analysis - I agree with all of them. My only bit of advice is to stay away from chain sports and sport shoe stores as they tend to be more interested in making a sale.
If you're right about the overpronation, then they'll probably suggest a so-called "stability" shoe; its going to have a nice cushy sole and should help the issue.
PS: You should still go see your doctor when you get the chance.
Cheers,
James0 -
I over pronate as well and have had the best lest with stability shoes. I've have asics, brooks, saucony, and nike. I've loved all of the shoes I've ever had, but I do think that saucony and brooks are definitely my favorite when it comes to a good stability shoe.0
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Yeah, I certainly won't cancel the appointment, it's time for a physical anyway.
The store near me isn't a chain, but a store owned by two serious runners that caters mainly to the running population of this city, and has a good reputation. Should be able to find a good walking shoe there.0 -
I overpronate too--My advice is get the analysis done at the running store and then look online for the shoe types that are recommended for your foot. A lot of these stores don't offer that many of the models unless they are a mega-store like this place:
http://www.roadrunnersports.com/
Also, you can probably do better price-wise online.
Personally, I love Asics Gel-Kayanos. Here is the Asics pronation guide to their shoes:
http://www.asicsamerica.com/pronation-guide0 -
A lot of good feedback about shoes. It's possible that your movement is caused by tightness of basically the outer edge of your calf muscle (e.g. right side of calf on right leg). You may also consider doing some strengthening exercises for your tibialis, inside portion of the calf (left side on your right leg), and your glutes.0
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Thanks for all the good suggestions, I got a gait analysis, a well- needed new pair of shoes and some better quality inserts than I had before. So far, so good!0
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rankinsect wrote: »Thanks for all the good suggestions, I got a gait analysis, a well- needed new pair of shoes and some better quality inserts than I had before. So far, so good!
That's cool. Just out of curiosity, what did the gait analysis indicate?0 -
Sam_I_Am77 wrote: »rankinsect wrote: »Thanks for all the good suggestions, I got a gait analysis, a well- needed new pair of shoes and some better quality inserts than I had before. So far, so good!
That's cool. Just out of curiosity, what did the gait analysis indicate?
Pretty much what I expected - that I overpronate as a result of being flat footed - genetic in this case, as my mother and brother are also very flat footed. I'm not quite as bad as they are, but my arches are weak. Other than that my gait is okay.
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rankinsect wrote: »Sam_I_Am77 wrote: »rankinsect wrote: »Thanks for all the good suggestions, I got a gait analysis, a well- needed new pair of shoes and some better quality inserts than I had before. So far, so good!
That's cool. Just out of curiosity, what did the gait analysis indicate?
Pretty much what I expected - that I overpronate as a result of being flat footed - genetic in this case, as my mother and brother are also very flat footed. I'm not quite as bad as they are, but my arches are weak. Other than that my gait is okay.
Mostly flat feet here, too, but I ended up in Neutral running shoes and they work well for me. 4.5 years of running and no problems other than a slight twinge in my right knee that starts up when the shoes are getting to the point that they need to be replaced (every 400-500 miles). Let us know how things are going in a week or so.0 -
My local running shoe store tested me and I was actually neutral. It seems that the average sports store like Academy, Foot Locker, etc., just did not have the higher tiered shoes available so that was why I could never find the right fit. I bought two pairs of shoes - Saucony and Asics and both had some "cloud" reference in the model name. These shoes I bought are amazing and you cannot purchase them in those chain sports stores. I walked miles and miles in them when in Washington DC last year and they held up quite well.
On some cases though, you still may need inserts as is the case with my hubby. The local running store was able to fit him in some shoes that accommodated the insert (he has major flat feet) while still dealing with his pronation.0 -
rhtexasgal wrote: »I bypassed the foot inserts and went straight to my local shoe store that specialized in running and walking shoes. They put me on a treadmill to evaluate my pronation and then suggested appropriate shoes for my feet. You will pay more for your shoes but you would get shoes that work for you based on your pronation. It was one of the best investments in myself I ever made.
This.Leslierussell4134 wrote: »So there are specific shoes to buy if you overpronate as well. Asics makes one called the Kayano. I used to buy them because I thought they were the most comfortable shoe I'd ever worn. Then my doctor told me I was having knee pain due to having a neutral foot and those shoes weren't for me.
I'm sure many other brands have shoes just the same and I think someone also mentioned running stores to assist in that area.
Good luck!
And this. Every brand of (real) running shoes do make shoe models specifically for those who over-pronate. They don't have to be just for running, either.
My father has problem with his feet and he and my mom were at a running expo with my sister and I a few years ago. As luck would have it, my mom won a free pair of shoes at the Brooks display. My dad doesn't run, of course, but my sister suggested that he go use the voucher and get the gait analysis they were offering and get the free pair of shoes. He swore they were the best shoes he'd ever owned because they actually fit his feet and supported the way he walks.
Getting shoes to fit the way you walk will be the best first step you can make without seeing a doctor. I'd highly suggest it.
I would be kind of wary about just visiting a "specialty" shoe store. Bear in mind people that work behind a desk of that store may be runners, foot advocates, and looove shoes. The problem; they have limited training of fully understanding the mechanisms behind your walking/running pattern. Seriously, in school we joked that in their training session they were taught what supination and pronation was and then gave them more than likely that most people pronate (they do, it's part of walking). It's fine to get nice shoes fitted. However, if it is truly causing you pain (walking) please seek out a specialist in podiatry first.0 -
amillenium wrote: »I overpronate too--My advice is get the analysis done at the running store and then look online for the shoe types that are recommended for your foot. A lot of these stores don't offer that many of the models unless they are a mega-store like this place:
http://www.roadrunnersports.com/
Also, you can probably do better price-wise online.
Personally, I love Asics Gel-Kayanos. Here is the Asics pronation guide to their shoes:
http://www.asicsamerica.com/pronation-guide
no.
that's just rude to take up their time and then go buy shoes online. support the local store0 -
EllaIsNotEnchanted wrote: »rhtexasgal wrote: »I bypassed the foot inserts and went straight to my local shoe store that specialized in running and walking shoes. They put me on a treadmill to evaluate my pronation and then suggested appropriate shoes for my feet. You will pay more for your shoes but you would get shoes that work for you based on your pronation. It was one of the best investments in myself I ever made.
This.Leslierussell4134 wrote: »So there are specific shoes to buy if you overpronate as well. Asics makes one called the Kayano. I used to buy them because I thought they were the most comfortable shoe I'd ever worn. Then my doctor told me I was having knee pain due to having a neutral foot and those shoes weren't for me.
I'm sure many other brands have shoes just the same and I think someone also mentioned running stores to assist in that area.
Good luck!
And this. Every brand of (real) running shoes do make shoe models specifically for those who over-pronate. They don't have to be just for running, either.
My father has problem with his feet and he and my mom were at a running expo with my sister and I a few years ago. As luck would have it, my mom won a free pair of shoes at the Brooks display. My dad doesn't run, of course, but my sister suggested that he go use the voucher and get the gait analysis they were offering and get the free pair of shoes. He swore they were the best shoes he'd ever owned because they actually fit his feet and supported the way he walks.
Getting shoes to fit the way you walk will be the best first step you can make without seeing a doctor. I'd highly suggest it.
I would be kind of wary about just visiting a "specialty" shoe store. Bear in mind people that work behind a desk of that store may be runners, foot advocates, and looove shoes. The problem; they have limited training of fully understanding the mechanisms behind your walking/running pattern. Seriously, in school we joked that in their training session they were taught what supination and pronation was and then gave them more than likely that most people pronate (they do, it's part of walking). It's fine to get nice shoes fitted. However, if it is truly causing you pain (walking) please seek out a specialist in podiatry first.
Actually, the OP is still planning to visit his doctor. Any advice that was given in this thread was to help in the period of time before his appointment.
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amillenium wrote: »I overpronate too--My advice is get the analysis done at the running store and then look online for the shoe types that are recommended for your foot. A lot of these stores don't offer that many of the models unless they are a mega-store like this place:
http://www.roadrunnersports.com/
Also, you can probably do better price-wise online.
Personally, I love Asics Gel-Kayanos. Here is the Asics pronation guide to their shoes:
http://www.asicsamerica.com/pronation-guide
no.
that's just rude to take up their time and then go buy shoes online. support the local store
Agreed! Always buy at least your first pair of shoes from the store that took the time to provide you with a free analysis. There's nothing that says you have to buy the most expensive pair. They often have last year's models still in stock at a lower price, especially if your feet are smaller or larger than average. After that, if you can find your shoes online, buy them wherever you can find them cheapest.
Beware, however.... shoe manufacturers tweak their shoes from year to year, so even if the model name is the same it might not be the exact same shoe if it's a few years newer. I've read recently that there's been a trend in lowering the heel to toe drop of some shoes in response to the minimalist trend. That could cause calf issues, among others, if you aren't careful. Either read up on the shoe specifics yourself before purchasing or check with the salespeople at the store if unsure.0 -
amillenium wrote: »I overpronate too--My advice is get the analysis done at the running store and then look online for the shoe types that are recommended for your foot. A lot of these stores don't offer that many of the models unless they are a mega-store like this place:
http://www.roadrunnersports.com/
Also, you can probably do better price-wise online.
Personally, I love Asics Gel-Kayanos. Here is the Asics pronation guide to their shoes:
http://www.asicsamerica.com/pronation-guide
no.
that's just rude to take up their time and then go buy shoes online. support the local store
The intent of my statement was that the OP should look around first--see what the salesperson has to say but I don't think a lot of small local stores sell the variety of styles and brands that could be found online.
For the record, I have never gotten an analysis from "specialty store" so I have no idea what it entails, however the need to buy something in return for a "free offered service" is the basis of the "theory of reciprocity in marketing." (feel free to google) It is a standard marketing tactic. This is the same reason people feel compelled to buy after a free sample.
Personally, I got a referral to a specialist from my doctor and then looked around for what I wanted.
Carry on.
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