Best Podiatric Practice
Dr. Abrams, I suffer from “flat feet” and “clubbing toes” (right foot only)in toes 2,3 and 4. Also, I believe one leg is shorter than the other. I have two concerns.1) It appears that my podiatrist has used a low cost polypropylene custom orthotic. Each insert has a thick, super hard heel. I’m now starting to get some heel pain, in particular after aerobic walking. The hardness of the heel seems so completely unnatural that it concerns me.2) When I mentioned to this podiatrist that I believed one of my legs is shorter than the other, he said that he could build up the short leg heel. Then, he used his finger and thumb to show thickness, and he said to me, “About how much? This much? About an 1/8″?” My concern here is that this seems so very unscientific. In essence, a guess. Is this proper practice when addressing compensating for leg shortness?
I’m seeing him this Monday, and I’ll address these issues. I would just like to educate myself before I talk to him.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to respond.Best regards,George Wave
2 comments
Vivian Abrams DPM
Your podiatrist should measure the length of your legs from a standing and alying down position. There is a limit as to how much heel lift that can be put on the orthotic. After 1/2″ I feel that a build up should be added to the shoe.As far as the polypropylene goes, that is a very commonly used material for orthotics. I can’t see what you had made so I will not comment further. If you are having discomfort you must tell your doctor so adjustments or a cushion cover can be added.
George Wave
Thank you for the prompt response! The orthotic is a ProLab CD (link follows). I called ProLab but they wouldn’t even talk to me…even when I wanted to know about some of their other products!http://prolaborthotics/Products/CDFunctional.cfm