Custom orthotics

[mintypoppet]

I keep trapping a nerve in my right leg when I skate, and my chiro (a sports specialist) has told me that my skate orthotics are probably wrong for me, and that I may need custom ones fitted.

I've had my GAM skates since January. The left one has always been perfect, but there's ongoing problems with the right one. It always feels loose, insecure and generally uncomfortable. I find it hard to get an outside edge on it unless it's done up so tightly that it hurts (which is my own poor technique, I know). I've had the blade moved outward to try and get better control over it, which has helped but not solved the problem.

Can anyone suggest whether custom orthotics may help with the boot issues?

It'll cost me £200 to get fitted for the orthotics. For the same price, I can give up on the GAMs and try a different type of skate. I don't know which route to choose, but I definitely can't afford to get the orthotics, find that the problem still exists, and then have to get new boots anyway.

[skaternum]

I haven't been here on the forum much lately, but I popped in and saw your posting and had to reply. Has your chiro seen any imbalance in your hips or pelvis? If so, that could be a big factor. Correct that, and you may notice your inside edge problem going away. If not, I strongly suggest going to see a podiatrist, who can evaluate what's going on with your feet and decide if custom orthotics are necessary.

I had the same symptom -- right boot never quite right, not able to hold an outside edge. And it definitely wasn't technique. After ignoring a few other symptoms, like a tight right quad & inner thigh, I finally had a massive painful flareup in my lower back. Turns out my pelvis had torqued, which over time led to a mess of muscular weirdness all down the right leg and into the foot. It actually caused a weird sort of pronation. Getting the pelvis stabilized (which took a long time, becuase my muscles were so used to holding it in the wrong place) and getting custom orthotics made a huge difference. I'm now almost normal (shut up, NoVa!) again.

My podiatrist, who is a hockey player & has worked with other figure skaters, said that many times things that are dealt with as boot issues wind up being foot issues. So I'd suggest going to a good podiatrist who works with athletes. I hope you get it resolved. I know what a drag it is having one weird foot. :-)

[mintypoppet]

Thanks, that's so reassuring! I did have an imbalance in my pelvis, but it's supposedly been corrected, along with a whole list of related postural issues :roll:

I'll make an appointment with the podiatrist - thanks for your help :)

[Casey]

Almost everyone has one foot that's slightly larger and/or differently-shaped than the other. So if you've got stock boots, it may simply be that one foot happens to be a good fit for your boots, and the other...isn't. That's what happened to me (more issues with my right foot fit than the left one...harder to hold a flat since the "ball" of the blade is in the "wrong" spot and it absolutely wrecks one of my toes if I forget to wrap a bandaid around it).

It may not be much at all and you'd never think to notice, 1/4 inch or so equates to about 1/2 a shoe size in US measurements.

It may well be that you've got another issue with the nerve...but it might be worth looking into this too.

[mintypoppet]

Almost everyone has one foot that's slightly larger and/or differently-shaped than the other. So if you've got stock boots, it may simply be that one foot happens to be a good fit for your boots, and the other...isn't. That's what happened to me (more issues with my right foot fit than the left one...harder to hold a flat since the "ball" of the blade is in the "wrong" spot and it absolutely wrecks one of my toes if I forget to wrap a bandaid around it).

This is exactly the case, but the size difference isn't enough to warrant a different boot size. It's the reason I had the blade moved though, which has improved things.

It's been suggested that the nerve problem is either chronic exertional compartment syndrome, or an issue with the boot/orthotic. Since I spent last weekend walking and clambering up hills with no ill effects, I'd guess it's the latter. I certainly hope it is anyway.