I may catch some guff from the minimalist barefooters, but I tried prescription orthotics in my Five Fingers and I liked it.
I purchased my Five Fingers back in August of 2007. I was intrigued by the marketing and their unique look, more than I was about running in them. I have put a lot of miles on them over the last few years, but have developed a love-hate relationship. I love how fast and free I feel while running in them. I hate the toe separation, my toes just don't separate. I hate that the balls of my feet become bruised after wearing them for any extended period of time.
Even with that I have kept them around and will pull them out when I am feeling a minimalist urge. However, last fall I was told my minimalist footwear days are a thing of the past.
I went into a foot and ankle specialist, due to pain in my ankle and outside arch, after a long run. I hadn't been wearing my Five Fingers, but had been using a pair of traditional cushioned running shoes. The doctor decided I had some tearing in my tendons and took some measures to help fix it from cortisone shots to casts. In the end he decided what I needed was orthotics. He thinks I have a minor level of cavus foot and that as I started to push my mileage up and do long runs 10+ miles that I was slowing damaging the outside of my foot.
I was resistant to getting orthotics and to any perceived quackery coming from him, especially when he told me to stop running and pursue cycling. He also told me that from here on out I needed to where super cushioned shoes. I ended up giving in to the orthotics if it meant that I would be able to run again, but have not bought into the idea of moving away from minimalist shoes. I have always had an inkling in my mind that if I build up the strength in my feet and lower legs that I might correct any problems I had naturally.
After a few months of wearing the orthotics I have noticed a difference and feel they have helped me heal and also seem to have helped with the cavus foot.
I felt like I was doing something taboo and wrong. They still had the minimalist feel and light weight, but with the support my arch needs. The heel is a bit raised and so they feel like a more traditional running shoe. I can only imagine my doctor would be crapping bricks if he saw me wearing them, but what he doesn't know won't hurt him.
Anybody else try this?
4 comments:
Actually, I have never tried the 5 toes and think I probably won't. They kind of creep me out. But I have had problems with pain in my feet if I go bare foot around the house or even in flat foot shoes. I have to have an arch support or my heels feel like the bone is popping out. I'm glad you have found a solution. Your dad had to get orthotics a couple of years ago too and now he is happy. :)
I just went to a sports podiatrist to get a diagnosis on whether my feet are suited to minimalist shoes.
He reckoned that my feet were proronating just at the borderline at which orthotics become necessary. He said that while the level plane of minimalist shoes could help my body learn to work feet and ankle muscles more: orthotics could prevent proronation and further train my feet and ankle muscles to move in the right way. So maybe it's similar for you?
I just wonder whether 5 fingers have the structure to support orthotics...
I have similar problems and wear orthotics but would like to wear the minimalist shoes.
When I had my orthotics fitted, I was running in anti-pronation shoes and the podiatrist was not positive about them and said I need shoes that bend properly in the mid sole.
I still have sore heels but find it worse in footwear that has stiffer soles i.e. my hiking boots and hockey shoes.
Has anyone else notice a correlation between foot soreness and stiffer soles or am i just clutching at straws?
There is no taboo or conflict here. I'm sure there are people who do perfectly well barefoot or in minimalist shoes. Others need a full blown running shoe and orthotics.
There is no "one size - fits all"
You've found a reasonable solution to your problems.
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