Orthotics for skaters?

[Neverdull44]

I need to know the doctor(w) who specialize in making orthodics for figure skaters (or skaters)?

I've had a myriad of foot & ankle issues throughout my life.  Ganglion cysts, plantar issues, surgery on a tendon, Haglunds deformity, and now, an issue with what appears to be a growing "accessory navicular syndrome".   My feet have always cramped 10+ minutes into skating, and I have to work through it.  It takes about 5 minutes, and then I can skate.  I have custom orthodics for my regular sneakers, but not for skating boots.  All my skating issues are confined to my feet.  I've done Harlicks and now Edeas.  My Edea is pretty comfortable, except for this navicular syndrome issue (which is ok on Monday . . .but by my Friday skate it's sore and big).  I still go through a mild cramping at 10 minutes into skating.   I think it's my plantar ripping a tad.  Once it's ripped, then I'm good to skate.  (Yes, I do Yoga & stretching my archives before and after skating).   My regular podiatrist told me that my tendons were "super loose" and my foot could flex too much, like an accordion.  I'd like to get to an expert, even if I had to fly away from Florida.  I'm willing to try anything at this point to avoid the pain.

[irenar5]

Perhaps you can speak with this doctor:

http://www.askmredge.com/medical-advisory-staff.php

I spoke with him on the phone when I was having issues and needed to have orthotics made locally, he was pretty helpful. 

[Neverdull44]

Thanks!  I have a call into him.

[rd350]

I'm in NYC and know orthopedists and physical therapists that specialize in feet.  They treat all the Broadway dancers.  I'll ask if they know any skater hyper-specialists and let you know.

[Neverdull44]

I spoke with Dr. Weil!!!  He gave me some information and pointed me to an article he wrote in Sports Podiatry Journal.  I meet with my podiatrist tomorrow.

His website:  http://www.sportsdoctorradio.com

His article in Sports Podiatry on Figure Skaters benefiting from orthodics and a "how to" for other podiatrists:  http://www.sportsdoctorradio.com/images/Podiatry_Mgmt_Weil_June_2010b.pdf

He wrote a chapter in a book  "Anatomy of a Figure Skating Injury"

Bad feet can lead to bad knees, hips, spine, ankles, etc.  I think in my case, my bad feet just plain HURT in boots.

[irenar5]

So happy to hear he was helpful!  I hope the podiatrist can make you the right orthotic!

[Neverdull44]

Update.  My podiatrist sent me to two other doctors, who specialize in skating orthodics here in Florida. 

Broken Naviular?   X-rays are funky, the navicular is big and protruding out of the side of my foot.   My podiatrist thought I had broken the bone at one point, and another podiatrist thinks it could be tendon imbalances causing the bone to look super strange on X-rays.   Off the tip, there is a bone spur that looks just like a rose's thorn.   On a side of the spur,, there is an open "v" shaped valley into the bone, and a crack that comes off that going down into the bone.     I never remember breaking my navicular bone . . . .   It is on my spinning foot.  I have noticed a sharp pain in that foot, occasionally (1 in 10 times) when I take off for a waltz jump.   

Now, husband reminded me of when I could have broken my navicular. . . .. About a month ago, I was walking down the stairs and something just snapped in that foot. The entire weekend, I couldn't put much pressure on it. I babied it for a weekend, it got better and I just carried on. Broken navicular's turn into a dull pain. I have many dull pains, which I just ignore. Skaters don't hurt themselves skating, it's when we are out of our "casts" of the boot that we are most apt to hurt ourselves. There's even been a scientific study on our clumsiness and mishaps when off the ice!  This is when I got my new skates, and that this bone started to protrude.

Anyone else skate with a broken foot bone and not realize it?   Boy, I feel stupid. Or, perhaps I am just a tough old broad.

[davincisop]

Not a broken foot, but with a strained muscle that's still healing.

Happened off ice of course. Walking at night in Downtown Orlando, stepped off the curb, my knee buckled and my foot rolled. Happened 5 months ago and I still have pain from it.

[rd350]

I broke my toe right before I started skating again in March.  I had no idea.  I've never broken any bone before but since I drink a ton of milk, I developed a huge callus at the fracture so went to the orthopedist and it was a healing fracture!

It actually felt much better in stiff boots than shoes.

[Neverdull44]

My orthodics came in today.  They look weird.  They feel good in the skate.  We'll see how it is tomorrow when I go on the ice.  I make no comment or assertion until I put it on the ice.   I'm only supposed to skate around tomorrow.  I have to ease into these . . .

[Neverdull44]

Update:  Orthotics are pretty darn wonderful creations!!!!!!!!     I could really feel the difference when jumping.   My feet don't feel like scrambled eggs, just flattening on landing.  And, on takeoff, it feels alot more efficient.  I have a full base to push off from, and my arch isn't getting flattened.  After I skated, my feet didn't hurt. I skated for 45 minutes, and feel like I could have gone triple that.    Oh, and I didn't go through the 10 minute into skating, foot cramping.

[Loops]

Wow, that must be an amazing feeling!  So glad they're working out!  And fwiw- my nearly 15 years old and falling apart ones looked like that when new, too.  Mine still holding up in the places that matter, so I'll wager yours will last you a long while too.  Glad you're skating pain free!!!!!!!

[irenar5]

Wow, you have such  a high arch!  No wonder your feet were hurting, skating boots are notorious for not having good arch support!  I am happy they feel good!

[twinskaters]

Wow, that is such a great report! I am glad the orthotics are so helpful!

[Neverdull44]

These go into Edea skates, which have a higher heel.   So, when on the higher heel, there is more of an arch going down.  Surprisingly, it didn't shorten my foot by much.

[icedancer]

Glad that your orthotic is working out.

Can someone change the title of this thread so that orthotic is spelled correctly? It bugs me every time I see it.

Thank you.

[rachelplotkin]

Can someone change the title of this thread so that orthotic is spelled correctly? It bugs me every time I see it.

LOL!  Thought I was the only one:)

[Neverdull44]

Thanks!  I didn't realize I was spelling it wrong.

[PhysicsOnIce]

Wow!!! does having orthodics make that much of a difference really?
I most likely will have to get some soon.. going to the Dr. on Tuesday for a follow up and I'm suspecting I'll need them.

Glad to know your foot problems got resolved and you are comfy in your skates.

[Neverdull44]

Physics,

I can't begin to tell you how much more comfortable I am on the ice and afterwards, with my orthotics.  I've had them for years with my regular tennis shoes because of my bad feet.

 I would get foot cramps about 10 minutes skating, with both my custom Harlicks and new Edeas.  I stroked around the ice for about 5 minutes and it would clear up, some.   The podiatrists (I spoke with 3, 2 who treated me), said that this was likely lactic acid building up because my foot muscles were working way overtime trying to correct for my pronation.   It was also likely a little bit of my plantar tendon ripping.  That was more of a burning pain, not a cramping pain.   

 Now, when I push off to glide, everything is more efficient.  I have so much more power to each of my strokes.   

I had an issue with my power threes and that mohawk to the turn forward.   I was bent over.  Now, not having that issue.   

Taking off and landing jumps has really improved.   I don't feel like my feet are flattening out and trying to find balance.  With the orthotic underneath, I have  firm surface that supports my entire foot.   

When I am done skating, my feet are not tired or sore.   I feel like a kid again, like I could easily skate for 4 or 5 hours.   

[rd350]

Amazing news Neverdull!  So happy for you.  Yup, your feet have to have a place to rest into AND stay in an efficient position.  So glad you found someone to make you a great pair of orthotics for your skates.

[PhysicsOnIce]

Physics,

I can't begin to tell you how much more comfortable I am on the ice and afterwards, with my orthotics.  I've had them for years with my regular tennis shoes because of my bad feet.

 I would get foot cramps about 10 minutes skating, with both my custom Harlicks and new Edeas.  I stroked around the ice for about 5 minutes and it would clear up, some.   The podiatrists (I spoke with 3, 2 who treated me), said that this was likely lactic acid building up because my foot muscles were working way overtime trying to correct for my pronation.   It was also likely a little bit of my plantar tendon ripping.  That was more of a burning pain, not a cramping pain.   

 Now, when I push off to glide, everything is more efficient.  I have so much more power to each of my strokes.   

I had an issue with my power threes and that mohawk to the turn forward.   I was bent over.  Now, not having that issue.   

Taking off and landing jumps has really improved.   I don't feel like my feet are flattening out and trying to find balance.  With the orthotic underneath, I have  firm surface that supports my entire foot.   

When I am done skating, my feet are not tired or sore.   I feel like a kid again, like I could easily skate for 4 or 5 hours.

Wow!! that sounds like major improvements.
Do you find that you are more stable in your skates?

My coach is always complying that my edges are not stable or consistent enough, but that when I get them right they are elegant and prefectly stable.  I always find that I drop to my inside edge, specially on my right foot (the one with suspected pronation, and all kind of ankle injuries this year) without thinking about it. My right foot also cramps up within 10 to 15 minutes of getting of the ice. It's gotten better since getting my skates stretched but it still occuring. I'd super glad to hear that this problem got fixed for you with the orthodics, and it offers hope for me and my skates.

Thanks for the updates.

[Neverdull44]

Yes, ALL of my edges feel more stable with the orthotics.  Especially, that backwards, left inside edge.  And, my landing edge too.

[rd350]

@physicsonice You said "suspected pronation".  Have you not had your feet assessed?  It should be very easy for anyone who is trained to give you a yay or nay.

My feet actually supinate a bit more than neutrral.  After reading this thread I feel like I may lean toward an orthotic evaluation instead of Superfeet for my Harlicks (should I ever, ever get them....).   

[Isk8NYC]

Thread title corrected!

As I was leafing through the Riedell 2014 Catalog today, I noticed that they're offering a "Reidell Footbed Kit."



Footnote: I like Legos and it looks like that's how the pieces go together, lol.

R-Fit™ Footbed Kit

Introducing our new comprehensive foot support system. Specifically designed for skaters with a leading podiatrist, this kit lets you increase com- fort and stability for better on-ice performance. Cushions and absorbs shock. Apply the compo- nents to create a custom footbed for your foot’s unique needs. Kit includes Arch Supports, Heel Wedges, Heel Lift, Metatarsal Pad along with an instruction guide. Works with all types of skates.

Testimony from satisfied customer: http://www.iskateriedell.com/2014/shaelyn-brown/

“After a year of struggling with heel injuries resulting from poorly fitted boots, not to mention lots of time off trying to heal, I was given the opportunity to try the new 2010 Fusion along with the new Riedell footbeds. These skates molded to my foot and required minimal adjustments. My first day on the ice, I was back landing all my double jumps. Having skated in the 2010 Fusion a couple of years ago, I could definitely feel improvement to the stiffness and support of this new boot. I love the new footbeds! These are a great addition and helped accommodate my heel and arches from pronating in, therefore giving me better technique on my take-offs.”

Should work for all skates, assuming the skate sizing allows the room for this footbed.  It's a clever idea that might be really helpful to adult skaters, who are more knowledgeable about their podiatry needs and notice problems sooner than younger skaters.  Could stop a lot of struggling that currently goes on in skating.


You have order through your Riedell dealer, so I don't know the cost of this product.  I'll send an email and request more information.