Question
Dear Dr. Katz,

I need orthotics for my figure skates.  I am an adult skater. I pronate badly in my skates because I have very flat feet. Because I pronate so much, I have difficulty getting on proper edges.  I have tried twice in the past to get orthotics from a podiatrist but they did not help. Recently a skate manufacturer saw my orthotics and told me they were not appropriate for figure skates.  I am trying to get new ones made yet again.  Would it be necessary for a podiatrist to see how much my skates rotate inwards when I wear them before the orthotics are made? Should I wear special orthotics in my street shoes as well so that I would get better results from the skate orthotics? Is there any advice you could give me so that I could get better results this time?  Unfortunately I don't live in a major metropolitan area where there are podiatrists that are accustomed to making skate orthotics.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my questions and for your help.  I am very grateful.  It is very difficult to get any information anywhere in this area.

Sincerely,
Bobbi

Answer
Hi Bobbi,

Orthotics for figure skates may difficult in a small area of the country.  Here are some links to orthotic labs that may be able to help.  They may send you a casting box and then send youcustom devices. Contact them.

http://www.ourhealthnetwork.com/customorthotics/sportsorthotics_skating.asp

http://www.orthlab.com/skating_orthotics.html

http://www.footdynamics.com/performance_sports.htm

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Advanced Podiatry
Tampa, FL
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com