OK, very brief summary of 20 years is about to follow, but the headline is has anyone else been long term orthotics users who have moved out of them? Not wanting a debate about if orthotics are evil or not, but accepting I've had them for a long time can I go back and how long will it take to adapt.
****skip this unless you like detail (ok, this is slowtwitch, I should have saved my fingers)
I got my first orthotics around 2000 after repeatedly going over on my ankle and spraining the ATFL and CFL ligaments. Were presecribed for use in all shoes, this was when I was 25 and didn't really do much running - cricket and MTBing. Worked fine for several years. Then got new orthotics, slightly lighter, in 2004 when I started running more, and doing triathlons. Was a 'solid' unit back then 90kg and 6ft4" Running pace was about 1:50 for Half marathons, heel striking.
2008 I tore my ligaments on my left in a 10km race - went over on a dropped water bottle. Reconstruction surgery and new orthotics after that to take account of new gait.
2015 - tore ligaments in right ankle in trail running race. Reconstruction 2015. Tore tendon just at end of rehab in late 2016, surgery to repair 2017. New orthotics to follow.
Ok, then wierd shit happened. Over the years my weight had crept up to about 100kg, and whilst still reasonably in shape was still at that 1:50-2hr half marathon time. After my last surgery my running suddenly lept forward. I'm now 44, have dropped to 85kg, and did a 1h36 half a month after my last IM. Regular Sunday long runs of up to 33km at 4:45/km pace, easyish 44min 10k, 21:15 5km etc.
So to 1 month ago I pulled my left hamstring. Had been suffering from plantar fasciitis for last 6 months in right foot. No sudden increases in run volume (I'm well coached). A month on and the ham is healing well, but my right heel is almost unbearable pain the night of a run and the morning after.
*****
So go to a new podiatrist (old one moved) and she checks it out and thinks it's post tibial tendon dysfunction. Tells me that this is being made worse by my orthotics and the Saucony Omnis I've been running in. So has taped my feet and told me not to use the orthotics in any shoes. Get a pair of Hokas (bondis) to train in and we'll go from there. The hamstring is actually a symptom of overstriding with the left to compensate for the right foot.
Now 24 hours later and just walking, then things are better. The PTTD is consistent with several other observations related to my run style (splayed feet), pilates positions and also the over developed outside shin muscles.
So on one side I'll be elated if I can get to running without orthotics as the weight is not insignificant. And now I'm running quicker, and midfoot then this seems logical. My worry is that the reason I started with the orthotics is that all that ligament damage has knackered teh nerves and I tend to go over on the outside of my foot. Not when running particularly, but just walking down the street as I have no awareness of what angle my feet are at.
So back to the question, anyone else tried this. Did you end up going back to orthotics? If not how long before you were running again at the same level and without pain/injury risk. Thanks in advance to anyone that has experience and takes the time to share.
****skip this unless you like detail (ok, this is slowtwitch, I should have saved my fingers)
I got my first orthotics around 2000 after repeatedly going over on my ankle and spraining the ATFL and CFL ligaments. Were presecribed for use in all shoes, this was when I was 25 and didn't really do much running - cricket and MTBing. Worked fine for several years. Then got new orthotics, slightly lighter, in 2004 when I started running more, and doing triathlons. Was a 'solid' unit back then 90kg and 6ft4" Running pace was about 1:50 for Half marathons, heel striking.
2008 I tore my ligaments on my left in a 10km race - went over on a dropped water bottle. Reconstruction surgery and new orthotics after that to take account of new gait.
2015 - tore ligaments in right ankle in trail running race. Reconstruction 2015. Tore tendon just at end of rehab in late 2016, surgery to repair 2017. New orthotics to follow.
Ok, then wierd shit happened. Over the years my weight had crept up to about 100kg, and whilst still reasonably in shape was still at that 1:50-2hr half marathon time. After my last surgery my running suddenly lept forward. I'm now 44, have dropped to 85kg, and did a 1h36 half a month after my last IM. Regular Sunday long runs of up to 33km at 4:45/km pace, easyish 44min 10k, 21:15 5km etc.
So to 1 month ago I pulled my left hamstring. Had been suffering from plantar fasciitis for last 6 months in right foot. No sudden increases in run volume (I'm well coached). A month on and the ham is healing well, but my right heel is almost unbearable pain the night of a run and the morning after.
*****
So go to a new podiatrist (old one moved) and she checks it out and thinks it's post tibial tendon dysfunction. Tells me that this is being made worse by my orthotics and the Saucony Omnis I've been running in. So has taped my feet and told me not to use the orthotics in any shoes. Get a pair of Hokas (bondis) to train in and we'll go from there. The hamstring is actually a symptom of overstriding with the left to compensate for the right foot.
Now 24 hours later and just walking, then things are better. The PTTD is consistent with several other observations related to my run style (splayed feet), pilates positions and also the over developed outside shin muscles.
So on one side I'll be elated if I can get to running without orthotics as the weight is not insignificant. And now I'm running quicker, and midfoot then this seems logical. My worry is that the reason I started with the orthotics is that all that ligament damage has knackered teh nerves and I tend to go over on the outside of my foot. Not when running particularly, but just walking down the street as I have no awareness of what angle my feet are at.
So back to the question, anyone else tried this. Did you end up going back to orthotics? If not how long before you were running again at the same level and without pain/injury risk. Thanks in advance to anyone that has experience and takes the time to share.