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[pct-l] Re: "Delicate Princess Foot Syndrome"
Good evening, all,
Many walkers ... high or low arch ... find that they need arch support
eventually. I had knee damage due to running on my unsupported flat feet so
a sports podiatrist made me a mild, customized pair of supports which I used
for several years before I went to a more aggressive pair of custom molded
inserts. When I started wearing the mild pair the unusual hump was
disquieting. Knee relief was almost immediate, but I did get hot-spots in
my arches for a while. Implicit in the term arch "support" is the fact that
the foot will apply pressure where there once was less, or none, and a
response to that unaccustomed pressure is often a hot-spot. I eventually
adapted to them, as well as to their more aggressive replacement. I
recommend not giving up on supports, but to use them while booking
ever-increasing training miles to let the foot structure adapt to its new
alignment, and let the soft tissue adapt to the resulting increase in
pressure. The additional foot contact area will also reduce the average
pressure at the ball and heel of the foot. That effect is about the same as
you would feel if you removed the cast iron skillet from your pack, and left
it home.
Steel-Eye
----- Original Message -----
From: "Diana Lindsay" <dianalindsay@hotmail.com>
To: "'John Vonhof'" <johnvonhof@comcast.net>; "'PCT list'"
<pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2005 12:40 PM
Subject: RE: [pct-l] Re: "Delicate Princess Foot Syndrome"
> I strongly disagree about insoles/orthotics for shoes if you have flat
feet.
> I've tried them twice with dire consequences. The last time was my most
> recent hike for 10-days along the AT. The outfitter insisted I needed
custom
> super feet for support. The same outfitter conferring with other employees
> insisted I needed a shoe size 1/2 smaller than I requested (I normally run
> in a shoe 2 sizes larger than my regular shoe size because I have big toes
> and my feet swell when I run). I paid dearly for not insisting that I knew
> better. In the first couple of days I really thought I would have to give
up
> the trip -- I had blisters along the arches where the orthotics were
forcing
> an arch that I don't have and the smaller shoes size had turned my small
toe
> nail black. Solution -- threw out the orthodics and the inner sole which
got
> rid of the pressure on the arch and gave me a little more room to make up
> for the 1/2 size that wasn't there. And my feet slowly healed enough and I
> could continue the trip. Am now dealing with the black toe and still don't
> have some feeling in a few other toes. Moral -- don't let "experts" talk
you
> into something when you know your own feet! -- Swifty
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
> [mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of John Vonhof
> Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 9:11 PM
> To: PCT list
> Subject: [pct-l] Re: "Delicate Princess Foot Syndrome"
>
> Some of you may recall a thread of several weeks ago that dealt with
> Maggie's problem with her "Delicate Princess Foot Syndrome." I cut and
> pasted all the emails into a document so I could read them on a recent
trip.
> There were a lot of very good and thoughtful comments and suggestions.
Here
> are my observations:
>
> > Maggie wrote: I have been backpacking for 6 years now. The longest I
have
> been
> on the trail is all of 4 days. I have yet to make it thru a trip without
> mangling my feet.
>
> 1. Nowhere was any mention made of socks. The thickness of socks, whether
> they are too thick for the shoes/boots, or too thin plays a role in how
out
> footwear fits.
> 2. Custom insoles/orthotics are a great suggestion and one I endorse.
> 3. I'd also suggest a gait analysis and foot evaluation by a sports
> podiatrist.
> 4. A good suggestion was made to try different lacing techniques.
> 5. If there are problems with blisters on the heels, try different
insoles,
> being careful to watch for how they might change the fit. Some insole
> coverings are better than others.
> 6. Ergo patches (http://www.goengo.com) can be tried to reduce friction
on
> heels and the sides of the foot. These patches go on the shoe or insole,
not
> on your skin.
> 7. If using a lubricant, try changing to powders. Some people's skin get
to
> soft and sensitive. Zeasorb is a great powder.
> 8. As someone suggested, toe socks (http://www.injinji.com) are great for
> folks prone to toe blisters or with overlapping toes.
> 9. Custom made shoes may also be worth having made. Someone suggested
> http://www.randymerrell.com. Another source that has been around for years
> is the Hersey Custom Shoe Company, http://www.herseycustomshoe.com/. They
> even have hiking shoes.
>
> Lots on input was given and there should be enough content to find a few
> ideas that will help. So, good luck Maggie!
>
> John Vonhof
> Fixing Your Feet Ezine at: http://www.vonhof.typepad.com/fixingyourfeet
> Happy Feet blog: http://www.vonhof.typepad.com/happy_feet/
> http://www.footworkpub.com
> Fixing Your Feet: Prevention and Treatments for Athletes, 3rd edition
>
>
>
>
>
>
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