Podiatry on the NHS

[ASC1951]

My annual fettle at the physio is no longer the reassuring session it used to be. Apparently my arches are starting to collapse, my ankles are sagging inwards and I need to see the podiatrist with a view to advice and probably orthotics.

I don't mind paying £35 every few months for a bit of physio, but we are looking at £350-ish for sorting out the feet. Worth it, I'm sure but is this the sort of thing I can expect to get on the NHS? After all, it only affects my exercise and recreation, not my mobility.

 

[montage]

Lie and say it affects every day life.
I had very good orthopedics from the NHS, and a very good service. But then shin splints made life difficult, and I pushed the fact that I wanted to join the forces, which may have all helped.

Try get it on the NHS - can't do much harm (debateable). But £350 to sort out a health issue is money well spent in my opinion. Health before wealth any day of the week

 

[zimzum42]

Where do you live? My neighbour is an NHS podiatrist and works in Stratford, East London - I could ask her if she would fit you in???

 

[ASC1951]

Thanks, Zimzum, but I'm in Yorkshire - about a 500 mile round trip.

No, I don't have an issue with the £350, Montage. I wouldn't even say I begrudge it - more that I would like my share of the NHS budget to be spent on treating my sporting niggles, because I save them a fortune by not being a chip-stuffing mouth-breather on 40 a day who has hurt his back picking up crates of Stella from the offie.

I shall trot down to my GP to see what he can do. Unfortunately he knows I have retired, so I suspect the answer might be "Yes, we can refer you to a podiatrist but it will take four months and you will still have to pay for the orthotics."

 

[Yellow Fang]

I looked into getting some orthotics. I'm more of a runner than a cyclist, but I kept getting injuries. I used to see the physio and they'd sort me out, but it would normally take four or five visits and cost me £200 by the time I was fixed. I could cope with that when I was in my last job when I was better paid. Then I thought that I'd go see a podiatrist on the hypothesis that if my injuries were being caused by some biomechanical problem, she might be able to stop me getting injured in the first place. She said I was flat-footed and made me some temporary orthotics for £25. She also said could sell me some more individually tailored orthotics that lasted ten years for £500, or some intermediate quality ones for £75. £500 seemed really steep, and when I looked around the internet, they came much, much cheaper. The problem was that I lost confidence in the temporary orthotics she made. They sorted out my knee in no time, but they felt like running in high heels and made me prone to twisting my ankles, especially off road. I'd still be prepared to make a one-off payment for high quality orthotics if I was sure they would make me less injury prone. These days I'm thinking of going the other way and trying those trainers than simulate running in bare feet. According to the propaganda, they strengthen your feet, force you to improve your running style, and reduce injuries over the long term.The problem with all this, is that it's very hard to get accurate, impartial information on what's best. I'm not sure even the experts know.

 

[ASC1951]

. I'd still be prepared to make a one-off payment for high quality orthotics if I was sure they would make me less injury prone.

It's rather different for me, Yellow Fang, in that I definitely have one leg slightly longer than the other and after 40 years of lopsided running and cycling I am certainly getting biomechanical problems. Another 10 years injury-free exercise is all I can expect at my age anyway, so I would be happy if orthotics give me that. I know what you mean, though - none of the people I know who have had them find them to be a complete solution.

These days I'm thinking of going the other way and trying those trainers than simulate running in bare feet.

Ah, you mean the Vibram Five Fingers? I think Fiona N of this forum has used them, so it might be worth giving her a PM.

 

[Yellow Fang]

I don't think I'd get Vibram Five Fingers. They look rather silly. I might try Vivo Evos or something similar.

Anyway, if you have one leg shorter than another then a pair of orthotics would seem like a good idea; notwithstanding your collapsing arches. Orthotics may make your feet lazy and encourage a poor running style, but I'd be surprised if they caused any problems with your cycling.