By the way, what did they do special with the custom orthotics that were aimed at the plantar fasciitis? I should've asked last time, I'm actually getting some new orthotics tomorrow. Hopefully, the orthotist will know!
I sent you a private message response. Here it is for the group to see, as it may help others with PF.
Happy to give any PF advice that I can. I suffered with it for years before finally ridding myself of it with custom orthotics.
The key to success for me was finding the right podiatrist that was skilled at making casts of your feet to mold the orthotics. The first doc I went to was not good at it and the expensive orthotics she made for me went into the trash. That was about 14 years ago (2009) when I was still into long distance running.
Fast forward a few years to about 2012. I gave up running and took up long distance hiking. I was hiking the 850 mile El Camino Real (California Mission Trail). I started experimenting with different OTC orthotics and found several that gave better relief but still not hitting the bullseye. I developed numerous strategies along the hike to deal with the pain. That included daily application of either Voltaren Gel or Ibuprofen gel (avoidable OTC in the EU and Canada), as well as ice packs, and wearing of night splints. That strategy got me through the hiking but it was not a cure.
Finally, somewhere around 2014, I got a referral to a different podiatrist and this guy was truly gifted at the art of making casts for the foot molds. The first pair he maid for me pretty much hit the nail on the head and after just 1 month of using the orthotics I was pretty much rid of PF. After 3 months, it was completely gone and has not returned. I still use that old pair of orthotics and have had them refurbished twice. The soft cushioning wears out with time/use but the hard main orthotic is virtually indestructible.
My insurance covers new orthotics every 3 years, so I went back in somewhere around 2017/18 and had him recast my feet and asked him to take the arch down just a little and that's the pair I wore on the Camino and am currently wearing as I complete the Mission Trail for a second time. They are perfect!
It is important to also assess/adjust your shoe size to accommodate the orthotics. They tend to lift your heel and mid foot up a bit, so I needed to size up on shoes to give them room. I also need more room in the toe box for my wide feet, so sizing up also fixed that problem as well. I measure a size 9.5 shoe but wear size 11 hiking boots (mid ankle) I use extra cushioning (air pillow inserts) to take up the slack.
Hope this helps! Buen Camino!
