Autumn Shoe Guide 2008

I ran cross country and track in high school and had constant problems with left ankle sprains and knee pain. (Currently, I also have left-sided lower back pain when standing or walking.) Now, after about 20 years off, I'd like to get back into running 5Ks.  I've discovered that my shoe wear pattern is asymmetrical, with lots more wear on the left side.  I visited a pedorthist and found that I pronate much more on the left side than on the right, and supinate mildly on the left.  I have considered purchasing a motion control shoe, but my arches are medium to high, not flat.  I am getting orthotics made, but unsure whether to purchase a motion control or a stability shoe.  I weigh 160 pounds.

Posted: 30/08/2008 01:29

I'd say it would depend on what the orthotic is made for - if it's doing all the correction you need then a neutral shoe would seem appropriate.  Speak to the pod - if the orthotics are made for neutral shoes and you add in a MC shoe - you'll over-correct.

Slightly confused by the pronate more on the left and supinate on the left - do you excessively roll in and then roll back out too far? 

Posted: 30/08/2008 08:42

Sorry, I should have said that the left foot demonstrates some moderate to severe over-pronation, while the right foot displays mild to moderate over-pronation with some additional mild supination not demonstated by the left foot.  I am starting to suspect a leg length difference of some kind.

 I went to a pedorthist, which is not a doctor, as a podiatrist is.  The pedorthist is actually employed by a specialty shoe store.  He said that I could go with a motion control or a stability shoe and highly recommended one of their stability shoes (NB859ST).  The tthing is, the store does not happen to stock any motion control shoes.  Under the circumstances, I would like another opinion about shoe selection.  The athletic stores in town tend to employ teen-agers who are not knowledgeable.

Thanks for your reply.

Posted: 30/08/2008 16:21

Hi

Could you order the shoes on line?  Or get  the store to order you some in?  But wouldn't you have to have the orthotics to see how they feel when you wear your running shoes before deciding on what shoe to buy?

Hope you solve your problem. 

Posted: 30/08/2008 19:12

Has anyone ever looked at the cause of these problems?

 - maybe see a Physio for an assessment of your whole leg, knee. hip and spine as you may have a problem somewhere along that chain that is manifesting itself in your foot and ankle problems -a major leg length discrepancy should be fairly easy to pick up with a thorough assessment

Posted: 30/08/2008 19:17

My left and right have completely different degrees or pronation and I also have a functional leg length difference of about half an inch.  Funnily enough since I changed my running style from heel striking to midfoot running it doesnt seem to matter anymore???  Just wished I'd done that much sooner...  If I think on how much money I spent on feck knows how many pairs of stability and motion control shoes, just to find that one pair of shoes would never meet my different feet's needs, plus the money for podiatrists and orthotics when all I needed to do was learn to run properly.
Posted: 30/08/2008 19:21

I thought that a podiatrist would be able to evaluate these symptoms and asked around for some recommendations.  I did get some recommendations from an athletic trainer at the university, but I had alreday paid to have the pedorthist do the orthotics.  At any rate,  it would have cost about $250 more to have the podiatrist do the exam and prescribe the orthotics and I don't have insurance that will cover it.  Perhaps that was not a good choice.   I'm moving to Austalia in October; perhaps it would be better to wait until I am settled to see someone if I'm still having problems.  Not sure if it should be a podiartist, chiropractor, physiotherapist, or orthopedic doctor.

Posted: 30/08/2008 21:39

I would recommend a Physio on the basis thet they tend to prescribe excercise to try and correct any imbalances - you may have some tightness somewhere or some weakness . I think Physio in Oz also has a good reputation - hope you manage to get it sorted
Posted: 30/08/2008 21:49

If you are inserting orthotics into a shoe you shouldn't buy motion control. There are a few websites that give advice on this matter.
Posted: 23/09/2008 16:44