Google didn’t help me much so thought I’d post here for some help (hopefully). Just back running from 8-month long bout with PF. Part of the whole process was new orthotics (I am a severe pronator). Have been running in them for 3 weeks now. Have had them back to be adjusted twice as seemed to be really shoving me onto the outside of my foot causing alot of pain on the ball of my foot by my 5th met on both feet (I am a forefoot runner). Has felt a bit better each time got the arch adjusted down but after my run on Thu the tendon on the outside of my foot (under ankle, that attaches to bone of 5th met) is very tender and painful when I toe-off even walking. Can it be that the orthotics are still forcing me too far to the outside, or just not yet used to them? I’m about ready to go back to my old pair of orthotics which have quite a bit less of a pronounced arch to them (but got PF wearing these so hesitant). Has anyone else experienced something similar? Are these never going to work?
I recently posted for help on my PF that I have had since last July. You will get a wide range of advice because it seems like each case is a little different with many different solutions. I have one similarity to you in that the first set of orthotics I had done in January the arch was too aggressive and it did not feel right. I just had a new set made a month ago. They feel much better but after a few runs the PF returned. I would suggest reviewing all the advice that others gave me on the recent post and see if something will work. Search PF or JJD. You will note that some suggest that I loose the orthotics. I tried that prior to the second set and worse pain resulted. PM me when you have success. I would love to know what works for you.
Well, I am claiming victory over the PF now that I’ve made it through a few painfree weeks of runs. In fact my DPM just set me free this week 
My issue is around the orthotics, not the PF any longer (fingers crossed). I am thinking they have too much of an arch even after 2 adjustments. In fact, I am going back to my old orthotics for my run today. Hopefully that won’t cause a reoccurrence of the PF. But no way can I run in the new orthotics with the pain they are causing on the outside of my feet. Sounds like you had a pair that were too aggressive as well. I am thinking that of this pair. Did they charge you for the 2nd pair or did you go somewhere else? I am a little upset as I paid quite a bit for these and may end up going back to my previous pair for good.
There are several ways to ‘combat’ this common problem. First, do your orthotics have a 1st met or 1st ray cutout (a wedge of the plate removed beneath the great toe joint)? This can help plantarflex the 1st ray thereby offloading the lateral forefoot.
THanks for responding–good to know this is not uncommon. No, no cutout. I will ask the orthotics guy about that. My DPM sent me to a place that makes orthotics & prosthetics–he didn’t make them. Should they know about this type of adjustment?
Yes, they should know what a 1st ray/met cutout is. I would likely give that a try!
One word of caution:
By this and other podiatrists admissions, they can’t “heal” PF, they just “treat” it.
But since the advice is free and he didn’t promise anything, he has no risk here sending you back to spend more $$$$.
All the orthotics I had been prescribed for PF (and I have quite a collection over the years) caused me to have other injuries as a direct result form orthotics use. Not pretty.
And PF came back, sooner or later, everytime.
Good luck with your umteen pair of orthotics, modified upon free advice over the INTERNET.
I am well aware that they cannot cure PF, and I have other biomechanical issues that cause me to wear orthotics. rroof was my DPM when I lived in Cinci so I know him and trust his advice. But thanks for your smart-ass response.