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Orthotic/Modified ski boots?

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_ice
Posts: 88 - Karma: 10

So after my foot has hurt like hell all season, i decide to get it checked out. It turns out i have 2 bunions (not very big, but extremely sensitive) and my options are find some orthotic substitute/modify boot or have surgery in which they must cut my tendon, shave down bown, and re-attach tendon. Doctor preferred finding an orthotic/modifying boot somehow before the surgery and that is ideal.

As i don't know too much about boots, would anyone know if there are orthotic ski boots/boots i could modify?

Mar 3 2009 4:56PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
go to surefoot, they'll give you an orthotic and grind out the inside of your shell where the bunions are so there isn't pressure on them
Mar 3 2009 5:53PM
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Slinger1x1
Posts: 8853 - Karma: 66
I have orthotics cuz i have bad aches and knee and back problems, a lot from lacrosse. So they basically saved me, like my feet are amazing now, i wear them in every shoe, and i can also wear them in ski boots. they work well, but they are a bitch to get in and out since they don't go in without taking the liner out
Mar 3 2009 5:59PM
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_ice
Posts: 88 - Karma: 10
yeah i looked into surefoot. looks nice, but ive heard they are extremely epensive
Mar 3 2009 6:26PM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,682
ya, that would take about 30-45 minutes to fix.

make a foot bed, punch out for the bunions.

Mar 3 2009 6:39PM
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crzyskier311xxx
Posts: 515 - Karma: 12

surefoot is expensive, but a very good route for custom insoles/boots...

if ur lookin to go a cheaper route, you can do custom superfeet and have the bootfitter at the shop dremmal (however its spelled) the hot spot area.  I know my shop does it for free (but you probably wont get the same results like surefoot)...

Then you can always do custom orthotics from a doctor.  Sometimes insurance will cover them, and id probably think they know a thing or two about making orthotics lol.  I doubt the doc will fix your boots though.

Mar 3 2009 8:00PM
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Slinger1x1
Posts: 8853 - Karma: 66
forgot to add, this was covered by insurance, like they are 400+ without, i only had to pay the $15 copay and i don't have a single bad thing to say
Mar 3 2009 8:07PM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,682
surefoot is over priced.

you can get simmilar if not better results for less.

probably end up costing about $200 plus tax for footbeds and shell work.
@ $50 an hour.

not to mention with surefoot your footbeds are stiff posted cork ones, which can often do more harm then good.
Mar 3 2009 8:11PM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
i had similar problems back in the day but for the past 4-5 years or so i put my orthodics in my ski boot and its perfect.
Mar 3 2009 9:22PM
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blackoutbill
Posts: 2918 - Karma: 282
I have planars fascaitis (sp?) and have custom insoles and they are legit. My mom just got bunion surgery and it was definatly a last resort. Takes awhile to recover
Mar 3 2009 9:46PM
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hedgehog
Posts: 1595 - Karma: 167
i have overpronating ankles and high arches, i got some custom insta-prints made by bill haight at stratton, completely changed my riding.


also all you guys, trying rolling your foot on a tennis ball before skiing next time, push kinda hard. just TRY it. let me know how it goes.
Mar 3 2009 10:01PM
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ReedSkis~
Posts: 2122 - Karma: 98
Get some custom footbeds, so worth the $$$
Mar 3 2009 10:19PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
yeah they're super expensive but once you pay the $200 for insoles then you get free boot work forever and when you outgrow your boots they give you free new orthotics, so you basically spend 200 up front but get a lot out of it
Mar 3 2009 10:26PM
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_ice
Posts: 88 - Karma: 10
what does the tennis ball do?
Mar 4 2009 5:14PM
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Luc.
Posts: 7540 - Karma: 59
dont need to go to surefoot.



all u need to do is go to a ski shop that knows what the are doing in the boot fitting department...

if i were u i would start talking to people u know on the hill, cause usually u will be reffered to someone by a fellow skier who suffered a similar pain.

good luck!, sore feet are a mother fucker.
Mar 4 2009 6:34PM
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BigM1218
Posts: 998 - Karma: 13
the shop I work at does instaprint custom footbeds and let me tell you, they really work some magic. We make a custom mold to your foot and boot and set you up with perfect fitting insoles. if you have bunions, we can just shave out the area you need. I dont have foot problems, but i got somee made just for the hell of it (got em free), and I couldnt be happier, they make my boots so much more comfortable and give you a much better feel for the boot. check out your local shop to see if they do custom footbeds like this, they're probly your best option. ohh and they are like $100 to do, so half the price of surefoot.
Mar 4 2009 9:52PM
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dirty_barry
Posts: 23 - Karma: 10
I have been using orthotics since I was 12 years old and use them in all of my footwear including ski boots.  Current setup uses scarpa matrix with intuition liners that were molded to fit my ortho's by Marmot Mountain Works in Bellevue, WA.  I have found the best bootfitters in the A/T, Raddonnee, and Tele shops local to me.  Process was included in the boot purchase but they do them for walk-ins for $40.  Hope this helps some.
Mar 4 2009 10:16PM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,682
why would you let marmot touch your boots?
go 1 block north and you would have had much better results.
Mar 5 2009 11:47AM
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_ice
Posts: 88 - Karma: 10

do you think i would need both orthotics and a custom footbed?, or would just a custom footbed work fine?

and thanks for everyones help, much appreciated

Mar 5 2009 12:23PM
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edd1e
Posts: 679 - Karma: 16
bunions are from pronation (collapsing of the arch, rolling your foot to the inside). Get your shells blown out over your 1st met head (where the bunion is) and a custom footbed to stabilize your foot. Grinding the shell wont give you enough room most likely. Tell them to give er' plenty whenever they blow them out. This will make your boots WAY more comfortable.

Bottom line, go to a decent ski bootfitter.
Mar 5 2009 3:04PM
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panojibber
Posts: 3382 - Karma: 216
Anybody get said bumps on the backs of your heels? I have them and they're annoying as fuck.
Mar 5 2009 5:49PM
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