Equipment Review - Ankle Brace and Orthotic inserts?

[fozcycle]

Well, my 3 month wait was over and I finally got to see the Podiatrist yesterday.  My issues are:

 

1) Sprained my left ankle last august and it has not healed. (actually sprained it on the course).  The Dr. examined and said I have way too much lateral movement in my ankle. This is caused by the overstretching of the tendons on the outside.  Mainly because i have sprained it many times over my life and, like an old rubberband, they are just too loose now.  Have to wear athletic style shoes as the brace does not fit right with Weejuns.

 

2) Feels like I am walking on a stone under my right foot.

 

Both of these are affecting my game.  The sprained ankle never healed and hurts mostly when I walk ff the green on a downhill slant.  Very weak and collapses on me when I walk.  The "stone bruise" just plain hurts when i walk.

 

Ankle Solution:  I got an ankle brace that laces up then has 2 velcro straps that go across my ankle in an "x" shape, followed by a velcro closure at the top(about 6" above my ankle).  I wore this yesterday and today.  After several hours the edges of the brace start to dig in to my leg and is uncomfortable. But the ankle now has support.  Not sure how this will work on the course, but it is black and will look very fashionable with shorts on the course.....I'll have to go back to hightop socks rather than no-see-ums.....LOL

 

Foot Solution:  They supplied me with a set of orthotic inserts to use in my shoes.....First, I must wear athletic type shoes that have removable inserts.  As I walked around with the inserts today, the first thing I felt was that the arch supports were too far back for my foot.  Then I noticed that the add'l padding does not provide much more comfort for the right "ball of the foot" area than before.  Guess I'll just have to get used to them.

 

I really do not like this geting old part but it is much more desireable than the alternative.

 

 

[BIG STU]

I have bad ankles for several reasons including like you spraining them a bunch and I have a pin in my left ankle from a motorcycle accident years ago. I use standard Ace ankle braces but I wear them over my socks where they don't chafe me. I also wear high topped lace up skateboard shoes or high topped Chucky Taylor Converse to play in. The combination gives me support and the skateboard shoes are flat bottomed and help me balance.I do not have any support problems with this set up but sometimes my ankles will swell up when I over do it like 2 Saturdays ago. I was not planning on playing and had hit about 150 balls and ended up in a match playing 27 holes. When I got home my ankles swole up like balloons had to take some Iboproph and soak them. Most golf shoes do not have adequate support for me of course to add to everything I am overweight too. Hope I was some help to you

[fozcycle]

Thanks Stu, I might look into the Nike hi top golf shoes.....yes they make one style.

[fozcycle]

Anybody know of hitop golf shoes?

[BIG STU]

Thank you Foz I had no idea anyone made high top golf shoes. We have a Nike outlet store on 501 and one in NMB will check that out

[fozcycle]

Dunlop also makes a pair......about $120

[sp0rtsfan86]

Interesting I'm 26 but have flat feet. I have a meeting with my chiro to get orthotics because my right ankle is bothersome. I had the doc look at it and basically say I'm slowly ripping some of the support away. That was the sign I needed to get some help with shoes.

 

Hope you have luck with your search.

[revkev]

Sorry I missed this one. I'm a tick behind Foz on the orthopedic curve, his present is my near future Lord willing. I'm going to watch this thread with great interest.

 

Any luck on those high tops yet and have you gotten used to the insoles.

 

Also have you ever tried True Links wear shoes? They are very different. I didn't like mine at first and now I couldn't imagine ever wearing another pair of golf shoes. My feet often would ache after playing and I can actually walk 9 now and be fine.

[fozcycle]

Well, I have played 4 rounds with my new BFF, the ankle brace. I have had no issues wearing the brace, but I am removing it as soon as we finish. I have noticed that I tend to limp for several hours after removing the brace and think that to be a natural reaction. During okay I can climb the mounds up and down without any pain or weakness. I need to get some better hi top golf socks as the "tube socks" I wore have some discomfort in the toes.that said, I just tell the others I am bringing back the sock style from the 1980's.

 

Now the insoles are totally different. The arch of the insole is not placed correctly for my feet. The insole arch begins on my heel and is very uncomfortable. I have placed two calls to the Podiatrist but have not yet spoken to her. I have several questions, such as how long should I wear the ankle brace. Currently I am only wearing it when I play golf.

 

BTW, my stability has improved for my left foot and my drives are in the fairway. My tan line is rising to about 4" above my ankles....

[sp0rtsfan86]

Well, I have played 4 rounds with my new BFF, the ankle brace. I have had no issues wearing the brace, but I am removing it as soon as we finish. I have noticed that I tend to limp for several hours after removing the brace and think that to be a natural reaction. During okay I can climb the mounds up and down without any pain or weakness. I need to get some better hi top golf socks as the "tube socks" I wore have some discomfort in the toes.that said, I just tell the others I am bringing back the sock style from the 1980's.

 

Now the insoles are totally different. The arch of the insole is not placed correctly for my feet. The insole arch begins on my heel and is very uncomfortable. I have placed two calls to the Podiatrist but have not yet spoken to her. I have several questions, such as how long should I wear the ankle brace. Currently I am only wearing it when I play golf.

 

BTW, my stability has improved for my left foot and my drives are in the fairway. My tan line is rising to about 4" above my ankles....

Glad you are able to play. I'm currently waiting on my orthopedics... Fun fact my chiro laughed about my feet, evidently they were all types of messed up. 

NEedless to say I'm excited to see if they help with balance, where I struggle even walking around sometimes.

[fozcycle]

Sorry I missed this one. I'm a tick behind Foz on the orthopedic curve, his present is my near future Lord willing. I'm going to watch this thread with great interest.

 

Any luck on those high tops yet and have you gotten used to the insoles.

 

Also have you ever tried True Links wear shoes? They are very different. I didn't like mine at first and now I couldn't imagine ever wearing another pair of golf shoes. My feet often would ache after playing and I can actually walk 9 now and be fine.

 

 

My issue is mainly with my left ankle at this point.....I found two makes, Nike & Dunlop.  However, neith of which were in my size......the Chuck Taylor's are looking promising....at least i can get them in my size.  I used to wear high tops exclusively because of my ankle, but got away from them over the past 20 years.