Do Insoles Help With Running Injuries? | With Francis Del Duchetto, Podiatrist

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In this episode of the Adaptive Zone podcast, I interview Francis Del Duchetto, a podiatrist, about the role of foot orthoses in treating running injuries. We discuss the different types of orthoses, the importance of research in understanding their effects, and how they can help redistribute loads in injured runners.

The episode also covers the clinical applications of orthoses, their preventative use, and the differences between custom and prefabricated options. Francis shares insights on the long-term use of orthoses and the importance of a comprehensive treatment approach for runners.

Takeaways

• Foot orthoses are medical devices used to treat lower limb injuries.
• There are different types of foot orthoses: simple, prefabricated, and custom-made.
• Research on foot orthoses for injured runners is limited but growing.
• Foot orthoses can help redistribute loads from injured to non-injured structures.
• They are most effective when used as part of a multimodal treatment approach.
• Custom orthoses may not always be necessary; prefabricated options can be effective.
• Preventative use of orthoses is debated; other factors may be more important.
• Long-term use of orthoses should be monitored and adjusted as needed.
• The choice of running shoes can affect the effectiveness of orthoses.
• Research and clinical practice should continue to evolve in this area.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Foot Orthoses
• 02:45 Understanding Foot Orthoses and Their Types
• 05:45 The Importance of Research on Foot Orthoses
• 09:12 Mechanisms of Action: How Orthoses Help Runners
• 11:48 Clinical Applications: Treating Common Running Injuries
• 15:00 Preventative Use of Orthoses: A Discussion
• 18:11 Long-term Use and Adaptation to Orthoses
• 21:11 Custom vs. Prefabricated Orthoses
• 24:00 Future Directions in Research and Practice

Connect with Francis:

• Research Gate: Francis Del Duchetto
• Review Paper: Can Foot Orthoses Beneft Symptomatic Runners? Mechanistic and Clinical Insights Through a Scoping Review

If you’re currently dealing with a running injury and think that insoles may help, it’s important to consider using insoles in the context of a comprehensive rehab strategy, rather than as a stand alone treatment option. Here at Fix My Running, we work with you to create a customized rehab strategy to get you back into pain-free running. Click the link below to schedule a call, and we’ll discuss your injury history and how we can help you reach your goals.