Orthotics in skates?

[shariskate]

 
Does anybody wear orthotics in their skates?  If so, who made them and how were you sure they'd fit into your skate?  I think I am going to need them and I figure I'll need a low profile custom orthotic...but I am concerned they won't fit inside my skate. 

My daughter was recently fitted with them for her shoes.....they take a mold of your foot while your standing, or a computer generated impression while your foot is relaxed.  I know that when my foot is in my skate is squeezed together (Harlicks)...so I'm concerned that even a custom orthotic will end up too wide to go in my skate.

I see Harlick offers an orthotic, but  they are not doctors...

I'm not sure where to turn....

THanks!

[irenar5]

I am in the process of getting orthotics for my Harlicks.  I had a plaster mold taken and the orthotics were made in the lab.  They made them thin, but still the heel cup was too wide to fit in my boot.  The podiatrist is sending them back with more instructions and also enclosing my old superfeet insoles to show the lab tech how small they need to be. 

I hope the modified ones fit (should be sometime next week), but if they do not, the only other solution is to get new boots made with orthotic accommodation.

[shariskate]

Sounds like quite a process.  Good luck.

I jUST got my Harlicks in November, so changing to another is not an option for me now.  I haven't gotten my $1,000 out of them yet!

[xoxo_tw]

Sure.  I have custom Orthotics..  I got my foot molded and usually I use them in my normal shoes. 
For my skates I been using a superfeet for long time. 

Recently I got a pair of CC width , size 8 , Wifa skates.  Luckily my Orthotics was a perfect fit inside them. Its all great !
Overall the skates are great, really wide ball area and narrow heal. 

Here is a photo
http://crystalise.tw/xi/user/files/dsc03554_thumb_20140118083939.jpg

[Query]

Could we consider making something like this a sticky post?. So many people on this forum complain of poor skate boot fit.

Problems with boot fit

With the exception of my claim that many people can modify boot fit themselves, everything here would be agreed upon by most experienced skaters who have had skate fit problems, and by most coaches:

1. If you can go to shops that have boots your size in stock, you may get lucky, and find stock boots that fit, or that can be modified to fit.

2. Minor changes (up to about 1/2 - 1 size) to the size and shape of a boot can be made by expert skate boot fitters. Perhaps even your current boots. (Much more controversially, I believe, that many people can do as good a job of fixing skate boot fit after they are made as the experts. (There are exceptions. Plus you need patience and an analytic frame of mind.)

3. Your foot should be squeezed a bit, though probably not at the toes, because even very small motions inside a skate can lead to injuries or blisters. They should not fit like ordinary shoes or boots.

4. Even if your old skates haven't broken down, it may be worth getting new boots that fit better. With some very durable boots, if you wait for break down you will have years of pain, and possibly expensive and/or long-term medical problems.

5. If your boots are too small, or there a specific high pressure points, to some extant the boot can be molded and/or stretched by a good skate boot fitter. Extra space can be made by using thinner insoles, or possibly none at all if the boot bottom is smooth. Low pressure points (which create blisters, or fail to adequately support the foot) can be fixed using tape or adhesive foam. These things can be done on your current boots, and are also typically the final step in adjusting new boots, if your fitter is good.

6. AFAIK, all major skate boot makers offer a money back satisfaction guarantee on custom boots. So it costs you nothing but shipping costs and time to try. Be sure to call the boot maker to verify this before the order. In addition, if you have custom boots that don't fit, they will probably be willing to fix the problem for free.

7. It is a great idea to use the best skate boot fitter you are willing to travel to. Ask the boot maker for a referral. Don't use a fitter to order skates that the specific brand of boot you order doesn't recommend. Don't say they have to be in your city - it is quite normal for skaters to travel hundreds of miles or more for a good fitter. If that sounds extreme, ask a bunch of skaters what problems they have had with their boots, and you will see that those problems can be pretty extreme too.

8. Many think that the best fitter for a brand of custom boot is the master boot maker themselves. In addition, some boot makers send traveling highly qualified fitters, trained at the factory, around the world to fit people for their brand of boots. Call the factory for info.

9. If you don't go to the factory boot fitter, you probably want a fitter who deals with several brands of boot, because different brands of boot please people with different foot shapes, even in custom boots. The master boot makers will probably tell you if they don't think they can fit your foot. A non-factory fitter may not tell you that.)

10. If you choose to get an orthotic made, make sure the fitter and boot maker takes that into account, so there is space inside the boot to fit the orthotic. Removing the current insole may or may not provide enough space. But only a very small number of medical specialists have the necessary knowledge, equipment and practice dealing with figure skating boots to do so well. Ask the boot maker for referrals to specialists who have done a good job. And ask other experienced skaters and coaches. Once again, many skaters travel long distances for a good specialist.

Hope that helps.

[slcbelle]

I have custom Harlick's with their custom orthotics.  Prior to that, I had my ski boot fitter (who is also a physical therapist) make custom orthotics for my Riedells.  He made them to fit my skates.  If you live in an area near ski resorts, you may want to check with the most reputable boot fitters in the area for custom insoles.

[LKnomad]

Coming in a few days late...

My son has custom orthotics in his skates. We had a lot of problems getting the right fit. The pediatrician stated he needed orthotics for eveything because his feet were really flat. She sent us to the podiatrist who refused to listen to my explain that they needed to be fit specifically for skates. He insisted on the hard plastics that were made from a mold of my son's feet. They worked great in his tennis shoes but I couldn't even get them into the skate. I returned to the doctor and he insisted that they would work but my son's coach was adamant that I insist on softer orthotics.

I ended up bypassing the doctor and speaking with the lab. I explained the situation and luckily I was speaking with someone who had recently fit a pair of hockey skates for a friend. I ordered new boots and sent the boots to the lab. The technician fitted the orthotics to the boot and returned them to me and we continued with the normal molding of the skate to my son's feet.

The person who fit my son's skates told me they were one of the best orthotics he had ever seen. They were also paid for my our medical insurance!

[Jenna]

I had the good fortune of having a podiatrist who played hockey, so I brought my skates to the office and he had them made to fit the shape of the insole in my skate.  When they came in, I brought my skates back and he adjusted them until they fit properly and I could wear my skates without discomfort.  I doubt they would have turned out as well, if he wasn't a fellow skater and understood what I needed.

[irenar5]

Coming in a few days late...

My son has custom orthotics in his skates. We had a lot of problems getting the right fit. The pediatrician stated he needed orthotics for eveything because his feet were really flat. She sent us to the podiatrist who refused to listen to my explain that they needed to be fit specifically for skates. He insisted on the hard plastics that were made from a mold of my son's feet. They worked great in his tennis shoes but I couldn't even get them into the skate. I returned to the doctor and he insisted that they would work but my son's coach was adamant that I insist on softer orthotics.

I ended up bypassing the doctor and speaking with the lab. I explained the situation and luckily I was speaking with someone who had recently fit a pair of hockey skates for a friend. I ordered new boots and sent the boots to the lab. The technician fitted the orthotics to the boot and returned them to me and we continued with the normal molding of the skate to my son's feet.

The person who fit my son's skates told me they were one of the best orthotics he had ever seen. They were also paid for my our medical insurance!

Could you please give me the name of the lab and the lab technician who did this for you?

[Skater4Life]

I have custom orthotics for my skates by some place near where I live. I just brought my skates in so they could make them thin enough.

[irenar5]

Just an update: the redone orthotic pair fit well into my boots after some more in-office modifications.   I skated with them today and the left foot was great!  Loved the neoprene padding- my foot felt supported and warm.  The right one was not comfortable at all!  The right foot was the therapeutic insole to support my PT tendon.  I had to take it out after 20 min of skating- the pressure on the arch was just unbearable.

I will be calling my podiatrist on Monday to adjust the orthotic.  This being my very first experience with orthotics, is there an adjustment period or are they supposed  to feel comfortable right away?

[xoxo_tw]

Just an update: the redone orthotic pair fit well into my boots after some more in-office modifications.   I skated with them today and the left foot was great!  Loved the neoprene padding- my foot felt supported and warm.  The right one was not comfortable at all!  The right foot was the therapeutic insole to support my PT tendon.  I had to take it out after 20 min of skating- the pressure on the arch was just unbearable.

I will be calling my podiatrist on Monday to adjust the orthotic.  This being my very first experience with orthotics, is there an adjustment period or are they supposed  to feel comfortable right away?

My doctor said the first few days could be painful, and it was, but after a while the pain disappeared....