Purchasing Off The Shelf Orthotics to Manage Common Foot Pains

Rear foot pain

This can come in a variety of areas and is normally down to an overuse injury which can be self-managed.

Plantar fasciitis
Bad pain, often in the morning, after periods of walking and after rest, with difficulties lifting toes.

Achilles tendonitis
Tenderness and pain at the back of the heel and up the Achilles, pain in the calf when going onto toes.

Bursitis/Sever’s disease
Pain at the back or base of heel.

Midfoot pain

Stress fractures
Continuous and repetitive loads on the legs and feet causing tenderness and aching in affected area.

Tibialis posterior tendinopathy
Runs down the back of the leg inside the ankle and into the foot. Overuse can cause the tendon to degenerate and cause pain in the arch of the foot when turning it inwards or outwards and going on tip toes.

Lisfranc injury
Dislocation or fracture of the midfoot. Swelling on top of the foot/bruising and pain on weight-bearing.

Plantar fascia strain
Runs from the heel to the front foot. Pain under the arch from either a single trauma or gradually developed.

Forefoot pain

Metatarsalgia
A shooting, stabbing pain or ‘pebble’ feeling under the forefoot. It is caused by straining or injuring your metatarsals.

Morton’s neuroma
Painful condition affecting one of the nerves between the toes which has inflamed the sheath around the nerve.

Sesamoiditis
Inflammation of the sesamoid bones located under the ball of the big toe embedded within tendons.

Hallux valgus/bunions
Pain/swelling stiffness of the big toe joint with the big toe pointing towards the other toes.

Treatment

Do:

• Take ibuprofen or paracetamol
• Ice pack and massage
• Wear wide, supportive, cushioned shoes with a small heel/pitch
• Off the shelf orthotics
• Gentle stretches
• Reduce your weight if you have a high BMI.

Don’t:

• Avoid over walking
• Long periods standing on your feet
• Going barefoot or wearing flat shoes
• Wear pointy shoes or high heel

Exercises

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy have created a number of video for exercises for foot pain. Access these videos on their website at www.csp.org.uk/conditions/foot-pain/video-exercises-foot-pain

Purchasing orthotics (insoles)

Where to buy
Your local pharmacy for simple cushioned inserts
www.orthotix.co.uk
www.healthandcare.co.uk
www.blacks.co.uk
www.millets.co.uk

Types
Cushioned insoles and gel heels and toe protectors to relieve pressure and increase comfort.

Medial arch supports to support the midfoot, relieve stresses and overload on tendons in the foot.

Insoles brands
Pro-steps, Gaitway, 1st line or Trios in ¾ or full length from above sites.

Forefoot pain
Metatarsalgia or morton neuroma
Orthosole insoles from Blacks or Millets in men’s and ladies or cushioned full length gel insoles if these cannot be tolerated.

Contact numbers

We hope that you have found this information useful. If you have any questions or are worried about anything, please speak to the Orthotic Department at Dorset County Hospital on 01305 254408.

About this leaflet

Author: Nicola Green, Orthotist
Written: May 2020
Updated and approved: November 2021
Review date: November 2024
Edition: v2

If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, or if you would like a list of references used to develop this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk