April 12, 2006
Hi all! Received and began trying out my new orthotics on Sunday (we had been out of town since Thursday). The #10’s were so comfortable I decided to return them and began wearing the 15’s which were okay, except for one pair of shoes. On those shoes they were quite painful under the arch, so today, just before heading out to the post office to mail you the 10’s, I thought it would be best to keep them and use them on the “painful” shoes. Just wanted you to know in case you were looking for them. I spoke with Chris about returning them to you. I’m keeping them. My Morton’s neuroma is truly not as painful as before!!! Just my imagination? Or, are the orthotics really working so soon? Only time will tell. So happy I found you on the internet!!! Back to you in a few weeks. Joan
Joan, Not your imagination, if you take your Theta’s out the pain will return back to the way it was. Many patients get a significant relief from their symptoms at the lower starting corrections of 10 and 15, rarely will correction levels lower than 25 or 30 resolve all of the pain in an active adult.
Your decision to keep the 10’s was a good one as the amount of correction you get is equal to the Theta plus any correction inherent in the shoe. If you want to wear shoes with different support built in to the design you require different Theta correction. Your choice tells me that you are beginning to understand Theta.
Be sure to follow up with our Free support until you resolve ALL of your pain during all activities. Wear your orthotics during all weight bearing activities and only in snug fit shoes. Dr. Jarrett
Josh seems to have adjusted to the orthotics and it does seem to be helping! Wondering at what point do we move up from the 25% to the 30%? What happens after or when he is comfortable withthose? Does he stick with that for a year or two, or will it be time to orderanother set? Thanks so much, Lisa
Lisa,
6 weeks now…he should be ready to move up to the 30’s, he may want to wear his 25’s during extreme activity or in shoes with built in arch support, until he clearly feels better at the 30’s. As you move from the 25’s to the 30’s it will become very important to make sure his shoe fits snug as any movement of the foot inside the shoe will cause him to not like the feel and may even create friction and blisters. As one increases theta correction and subsequently arch height, the foot actually becomes smaller. Shoes that fit well before will become too big.
As Josh is 15-16 years old his foot has most probably reached its adult size and his orthotic will Not need to increase in length or width. As you understand 40 degrees is where optimal alignment of the foot/ankle/knee takes place. 30 degrees results in about 75 percent of optimal control. Usually patients go up in theta correction if there is still some unresolved pain or if they so fully recognize the benefits of optimal theta that they want to get up to the best control possible.
Personally I have all of my children in 40’s, if I am going to encourage this treatment full time for the rest of their lives, I just as well give them the best I can. It is yours and Josh’s call if and when you want to increase correction. If he is happy once he fully acclimates to the 30’s, remaining at that level for a period of time is not a bad choice.
You are very welcome, Dr. Jarrett
April 5, 2006
March 22 2006 Dr. Jarrett: Just submitting a follow up for you. Started my treatment with the 20’s for about one month, and I have had my 25′ orthotics in for about 1 1/2 weeks now. Wow, I feel taller and physically so much better. My energy has increased and I don’t have to worry about monitoring all my activity because of painful feet. I sent the 20′ back to you, and have used the 25′ in most of my shoes which have little correction on their own.
Today, Wednesday (12 days of continuous 25′ orthotic use) is the first
day that I can’t even tell that I have the orthotic in. My feet have
fully adjusted to this level of correction. It feels great. I have
had some minor aches and pains in the first few days, knee, hip and even in my neck. But those went away very quickly. My right hip is still making some
minor adjustments but interestingly only hurts when I have not had my orthotics in (first thing in morning before I put shoes on, or last
thing in evening after I take them off and am readying for bed).
Clearly my hip is stating the overwhelming preference for balance and ambulation for my entire body. I fully agree. Thank you so much!!!! Melanie
Melanie, You are beginning to understand Theta… Did you receive 30’s back from us after you returned your 20’s? If> you think sufficient time has passed for you to have received them and you have not, please call our toll free number and find out the status. If you think the 25’s are having significant benefit to balance , posture and pain you will be blown away with the 30’s . My
guess is that within about 2 weeks time you will be ready for the 30’s.
Continue to wear full time in snug fitted shoes and call 800-558-4382
and speak with one of our treatment specialists if you require
immediate help with your treatment. Happy to hear you are doing well,
I will post this note to your chart. Dr. Jarrett
March 27 2006
Hi Dr. Jarrett: I have finally felt it was time to move up to my 20’s. I did this last Wednesday and by the end of my day which was 9:00 p.m. my arches were really hurting. I still have no neuroma pain and that is wonderful. Yesterday I walked for 2 hours and 15 minutes with my 20’s. My arches were real sore by the time I had gotten back to my house. I assumed that is normal when making the change. Just like when I first started with the 15’s. I have gone out to purchase a pair of new shoes. Of course most of the shoes have the backs out of them. I am wondering if I can wear these type of shoes with my orthotics put in my nylons. I am not sure if this is acceptable. As a matter of fact, all my summer shoes are back less. I know I can’t afford to purchase all new shoes so I’m trying to find a way to wear these shoes. I do wear stockings to work everyday and wondering if that is an option. The orthotics have really worked to eliminate my neuroma. It is quite amazing how adding the arch has accomplished this. I go day by day thinking one of these days the pain will return but that hasn’t been the case at all and I hope it never does return. I would like to have a prescription that I could submit to my insurance company to see if I can get any coverage. Thank you, Bev. C
Bev. Some patients are successful in using them inside of the nylons as you propose. Try it you will know if it is working for you. There other options if that does not work. Glad to hear you are healing. Wear full time in snug fitted shoes, and be sure to continue with updates. Dr. Jarrett
Hi Dr. Jarrett and Chris, First of all ——— update on Shane B - as of January 1, 2006, he is now wearing the 30s. :) :) :) Improvement is happening. The callouses on the inside of his feet are gradually decreasing. YAY! Cameron B - he is still in his 20s - but will be graduating to 25s soon - as the skin is almost totally healed from the “Plantar Wart Episode” we had to endure. I — Joyce B am still in 30s and need to graduate to the 35s —- and I will soon.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!!!!! Most sincerely, Joyce
March 3 2006 Dear Dr. Jarrett, Two days ago I received your Order No. 1957. That evening I checked these various levels of Orthotics in many of my pairs of shoes. I also walked on them, and have been using them ever since. I work out at a Fitness Center, and walk about 40 minutes on the Ecliptic (?) machine. At first I used the 15 degree angle in my walking shoes, then tried the 20 degree and found that both worked very well. My Nuromas on my right foot does not bother me when I wear your Orthotics. Thanks again. Tina E
Tina, Sounds as if you are on the right track, the best is yet to com. Continue full time use in snug fit shoes and I am looking forward to your next update. Thank you. Chris Treatment Specialist
March 24 2004 Got my orthotics on Tuesday. Only had one level to start with. Having never worn before I am not sure if they are correct or not. Have some discomfort (I guess that is expected) in the arch of one foot and I find that my knees are bothering me a bit. I only wear them for my workouts (which are several since I am an trainer). Want to give them a chance, but not sure how much to wear them. I am going out of town and will not be working out, but will be doing A LOT of walking. Should I bring them and wear on walks or stick with my regular shoes??? HELP!
Elizabeth H.
Elizabeth, From the changes you report it sound like we got the starting correction correct. In order for the treatment to be completely successful, it is imperative that you wear your orthotics full time during ALL weight bearing activities, including athletic and non-athletic activities. If you have questions that I have not covered please contact our toll free number and speak with one of my treatment specialists. Your Theta orthotics should fit in most all of your shoe types, athletic and regular. Dr. Jarrett
March 13 2006 Dr. Jarrtt: It is now over a week since I started wearing my orthotics. I have no sign of neuroma pain at this time. I still have pain with the plantar faciatists (it’s probably not spelled correctly but hopefully you will know what I mean). I am still wearing the 15’s and want to know when I should change to the 20’s. Could you give me some idea what the normal time line for the arch discomfort may be. I thought about going to the 20’s but I thought maybe my arches aren’t ready. Let me know. Thanks, Bev C
Bev When you feel you want to give the next level a try go ahead. If your arch can not tolerate wearing the next level full time then you have moved up too quickly. Call me if you want to discuss the progression and time frame.
Thank you Chris Treatment Specialist
March 12 2006 Good morning,I am happy to report that I have made really good progress. I am wearing the 25 degree orthotics all the time now, without really noticing that I have anything in the shoes, and I have only occasionally a small twinge of pain.
I am also really happy that I never did go to a foot doctor, but trusted my own instincts.
Of, course I want to do what I can to continue on this path, which leads to a couple of questions:
If I am pain free now, is there any merit to increasing the theta? The higher the degree of correction, the harder it will be to find shoes where the insert will comfortably fit.
Can you recommend a brand of shoes, especially sandals, that are made with an extra-high arch support, which would maybe make up for the inserts? I spend weeks each year in the tropics, and having to wear closed shoes would be almost unbearable.
Thanks for any information you could give,
Bibi
March 09 2006 Hi Dr. Jarrett! Just a quick update. I have had my new orthotics now for nine days and I’m doing exceptionally well. I started with the 20s and just started the 25s on Friday. The neuromas in my right foot are in the center of the foot and pain relief has been remarkable! The neuroma on my left foot is more towards the outside of my foot (the toe next to the “little toe”). The 20s did not seem to offer much support to that area of the foot as the orthotics were tapered in sharply on the side, favoring support to the center of the foot. I’ve noticed that the 25s have a little more support towards the outside of the orthotic. It feels a little better, but I am still experiencing “pinching” and aching from that area. Would it be possible for you (or someone in the lab) to look over my original impressions and make adjustments to the left orthotic in order to afford additional relief? When I originally ordered my orthotics, I ordered four sets. So far I have received three sets. I will send back the 15s this week for exchange. In the interim, would it be possible to begin work on my 30s (my fourth set) and send them to me as soon as possible? Please advise. Thank you again for everything! Janice F
Janice, As you acclimate to each level and the bones are moving and being supported higher in corrections both feet and neuromas will be addressed. One foot will take a higher correction before all the pain is taken away, as you move up in correction remember to keep trying smaller shoe sizes. The shoe will hold the foot in a snug fit right on top of the orthotic therefore giving you full benefit of each level. I will notify the lab and begin fabrication on the level 30. I will mail it to you once it has been completed. Thank you for the update Chris Treatment Specialist Theta Orthotics