On Thursday I picked up my custom-made orthotics devices from Kintec to deal with the problem of my left foot. I’ve gone on about that pesky appendage before so the short version is this: the pad where the toes connect to the rest of the foot becomes sore after I’ve been walking or running for a varying period of time. That time depends on factors ranging from the softness of the surface I’m walking/running on, to the type of footwear to, possibly, the alignment of the planets or something because it can be a tad unpredictable at times.
My doctor and others recommended getting an orthotic so I booked an appointment, had my feet molded in foam (the pedorthist said I had the most relaxed feet she’d seen when making the mold) and on Thursday had the orthotics trimmed to fit nicely inside my normal walking shoes.
I was also handed a pamphlet on how to break in the orthotic. It’s intended that you wear them an increasing amount per day for two to three weeks and only use them when running after you’ve fully acclimated to wearing them in regular shoes. If they cause the feet to hurt, you’re supposed to remove them until the pain goes away.
When I tried them on at Kintec I did not feel any immediate bolts of pain, nor lose my balance and start knocking over displays. Pluses, both.
The next day I wore them all day just like I’m not supposed to do. But in my defense, they didn’t hurt at all. It was unexpectedly pleasant. The left foot did start to hurt a bit when I was sitting on a train riding the Expo Line home. It seemed strange that sitting made the foot hurt. The nominal pain went away shortly after getting home.
Here’s to the orthotic making complaints about that stupid foot a thing of the past. I don’t expect miracles but some improvement would be spiffy.
