Thursday, January 29, 2009

Orthotics (#3) - maybe I raise "white flag"

still no running, the healing takes ages... the progress is really slow. The orthopedic told me that maybe I can even need other 3 months before running.... (in any case, I am restoring my bicycle... after 4 years of total non-usage..)

around 1 year ago, I posted twice on the matter of the orthotics
having serious bow-shaped legs and leg length discrepancy, I have been always recommend
ed to use orthotics, but I honestly hate only the idea...

Now I can summarize my experience with orthotics in the past 2 years:
* January- August 2007: no orthotics, no injuries, but running load was lower (70-90km weekly)
* August 07 - January 08: With Orthotics, no Injuries, load around 100/110Km
* January 08 - March 08: no orthotics, run very well, but got injured of a muscle strain (well, that day I was wearing shoes with orthotics, still...)
* May 08 - December 08: no orthotics, running fast like never before, load around 100/120k. Got a serious bilateral achilles tendinitis

so now... I capitulate.
Both the physioterapist and the orthopedic that I consulted for the tendinitis are also runners and they both told me that only with orthotics I can at least reduce the load on the tendons.

with my bow legs, even if my running style is not bad, the load from the body weight is not transfered to the ground in straight line, but generates a huge lateral force that puts a lot of effort on the achilles.
So the shoe must be fitted with orthotics that could absorb somehow this lateral force.
It all makes sense and I know it very well... my chassis is of very poor quality and not really suited for heavy running.

Out of desperation, I will therefore try to run with orthotics again...
to do that, I also ordered a new pair of custom-made orthotics made in Canada by the company PARIS (the physio told me that is the best available on the Hong Kong market).

Now I got them and I just need to wait for the healing of the achilles to see how they are.










The aspect looks very "sophisticated" compared to those I used before (also custom made, but from a local
 podistrist).



















so this is it for today...

1 comment:

Thomas said...

Woah, those things are HUGE! I really hope they will do the trick for you.