[babs]

hey...

I've just decided to start running and build up to a 20K run in Paris (Octobre) and hopefully a marathon next year.
But I have two major concerns

1- I have a leg shorter than the other (about 7mm) and last time I ran (only 5 K) my hips and leg hurt like crazy and I thought I was gonna have to give up

2- both my ankles are really dodgy having been twisted quite a few times.

What would you guys advise?

I mean to go and see a physio but this being quite pricey, I thought I'd start here...

Cheers
Bab's

 

[hammerite]

Babs, good luck with your training.

If you have one leg shorter than the other I'd recommend you go to a podiatrist for a biomech assessment. They should be able to work out exactly what is wrong, and I think Orthotics are the usual treatment for having one leg shorter than the other.

 

[Dan_R]

I would echo hammerite's comments you probably need to get a orthotic made to fit your foot which should balance things out.

 

[babs]

Thanks for that.

Do you need to get refered by your GP to see one of these guys?
Am from Belgium and not sure how it works here...:embarrassed:

Babs

 

[Dan_R]

Thanks for that.

Do you need to get refered by your GP to see one of these guys?
Am from Belgium and not sure how it works here...:embarrassed:

Babs

I know you can just phone one up and booka an appointment - you don't have to go through your GP. Obviously you'll have to pay though.

You may be able to get in on the NHS but I suspect there will be a delay whilst you wait for an appointment. I'm sure the Runners Forum GP will be on here later to advise

 

[geordiebezza]

HI, yes I believe you can get a referral to podiatry on NHS in certain areas, but the criteria for this and the waiting time may vary so it may be worth asking your own GP about this one...

 

[hammerite]

To be honest I think it's probably better to go private for this sort of thing. The health service can be quite slow.

Plus being in Belgium I think the health service isn't as comprehensive as our own.

It would be worth getting a recommendation from running friends or a local running club.

 

[Hollywood]

slightly controversial but...

- are you sure your legs are 7mm different in length?
- is that actually very unusual?
- are you also sure that your hip/leg pain was caused by your uneven length legs?
- are you happy with the shoes you wore for that 5km race? Did you get them from a good running shop? Did they look at your running gait (maybe using a pressure mat or some video analysis) before they advised you on what shoes to buy?

There was an interesting article in RW a few months ago where someone with no problems whatsoever went to three or four different specialists and came out with 3 or 4 very different orthotics.

I have no doubt that there are some very good specialists out there and that orthotics can help people. However, please take your time building up your running and looking at the idea of getting orthotics - it's not at all unusual for your first 5km run to "hurt like crazy" - and (IMO) it is possible that adding orthotics could make it worse rather than better.

Good luck!

H

 

[hammerite]

slightly controversial but...

- are you sure your legs are 7mm different in length?
- is that actually very unusual?
- are you also sure that your hip/leg pain was caused by your uneven length legs?
- are you happy with the shoes you wore for that 5km race? Did you get them from a good running shop? Did they look at your running gait (maybe using a pressure mat or some video analysis) before they advised you on what shoes to buy?

There was an interesting article in RW a few months ago where someone with no problems whatsoever went to three or four different specialists and came out with 3 or 4 very different orthotics.

I have no doubt that there are some very good specialists out there and that orthotics can help people. However, please take your time building up your running and looking at the idea of getting orthotics - it's not at all unusual for your first 5km run to "hurt like crazy" - and (IMO) it is possible that adding orthotics could make it worse rather than better.

Good luck!

H

Good point H, I was assuming that Babs had already had some sort of initial assessment to come up with the 7mm difference in leg length.

If there is nothing wrong with you a good podiatrist will basically say that and not make you wear orthotics. I know mine is like this (he is a podiatrist and a physio), I do wear orthotics, however, I know plenty of people who have seen the same person and been prescribed stretching, core strength exercises etc..... or sometimes specific cheap off the shelf inserts.

I don't think difference in leg length is very unusual, although the runners I know who have had this have all suffered injury problems and they have been getting injured less now they wear orthotics.