Emsold Ultra Thin Orthotic with Metatarsal Pad and Deep Heel Cup – Semi-Rigid Arch Support Insole for Men and Women – Relieves Pain from Plantar Fasciitis, Morton’s Neuroma and Metatarsalgia

I bought these to alleviate Morton's neuroma. Here are some of the treatments I've tried (this product last): 1) Silicone stick-on pads. Useful, but the stickum wears off and they start sliding around in my shoe after a few hours or days. I've used them a lot, but have to readjust the position often. 2) Thicker silicone pads that go under the shoe insole. These are also OK, but the pad behind my toe "knuckles" is too squishy for my liking (and the thickness transition is not abrupt enough). These are for running shoes. They stay in place reasonably well if they go under the insole, but not all shoes have removable insoles. 3) 1/4" felt pads that stick to your foot. These work the best of all treatments for standing and normal walking. However, for long walks or runs, they can produce a blister on the soft underside of your arch. They are always perfectly positioned (just behind the knuckles of your toes), but for me they are inconvenient and costly ($0.50 to $1.00 per pad). They can be reused 2-4 times, but they don't smell too nice after the first time. I like to have these around for when I wear sandals, slippers, or just old socks around the house (they can also be stuck down to the sandal bed, where they will stay for months). 4) Athletic insoles (full) with metatarsal pad. I typically find that the metatarsal pad is not high enough and the positioning is too far back for my foot. This could be a consequence of limited sizes available (small, medium, large). 5) Emsold Ultra Thin Orthotic with Metatarsal Pad and Deep Heel Cup (this product). I chose these because I wanted an everyday solution for my work shoes, which didn't require continual readjustment. I've used them for only a couple of days so far, but I am really pleased. The construction seems to be of very high quality: The rigid mold has a raised arch and metatarsal bump, with a smooth (but not shiny) leather top that seems to be glued down very securely. There is padding over the metatarsal bump, which compresses no more than 2mm. This is exactly what is required to open the toe-knuckles and relieve the discomfort of Morton's neuroma *and they DO relieve the discomfort!* The heel cup is deep enough that the metatarsal pad gets positioned in the same place each time you put on the shoe. The transition at the front of the 3/4-length insole is barely noticeable underfoot, perhaps because the leather extends over the front of the rigid mold by about 1mm. When I bought these, their cost was about 1/2 as much as typical athletic-shoe insoles (#4 above) and twice as much as a pair of silicone stick-on pads (#1 above). They work great, and with all of the sizes available, they may be as close to custom orthotics as you can get. They may not be designed for sports, but I'm looking forward to trying them in cycling shoes, where rigidity is a plus, and the 3/4 length won't block the shoe ventilation. Might try running in them as well. [EDIT] After about 4 months, these are still great! I wear them daily for work, and really appreciate the relief that they bring. These are not designed to be a sports insert, but I've also tried them in cycling and running shoes. They alleviated my MN problem in each case, and I continue to use them for cycling, so that's a bonus. However, for my running shoes, which are pretty light and snug, the heel cup is a little too broad (stretches the shoe) and the little bit of extra heel lift from the insert tightens up the shoe against my fairly high instep. So for running I typically opt for a silicone pad. Still extremely satisfied, since I didn't buy them for sports.

Waited to write this review until I had really put these to the test. I've had numerous issues with my left my foot; injuries, surgeries, compartment syndrome, metatarsalgia; and was already using metarsal pad. This year while training for a marathon I began having problems with my right foot also. I'm also a chef and spend 10 hours a day on my feet. It was at the point where I was in pain any time I was on my feet. My doctor recommended orthotics, but I wear Altra shoes and normal orthotics didn't work with them. That's the first thing that attracted me to these; I didn't know they even made 3/4 length orthotics but they work great with the wider shape of my Altras. The added arch support was also a plus. I ordered 2 pairs so I had one for my running shoes and one to swap between my work and everyday wear shoes. They felt great in my daily shoes but the first time I ran it felt really off on the right side because I wasn't used to having anything in that shoe. My feet didn't hurt as much though, and after a few days they felt great both at work and running. I was fired up and ready to write a review but decided to wait. I started wearing them in the beginning of August and had about 3 months of training left before marathon time. From that time to now I have put 240 miles on the pair in my running shoes. The other pair I've worn daily in my other shoes. Side by side you can't tell the difference, they have held up fantastically. While they don't look new, they show no sign of any sort of failure. Nothing is worn or separating. The biggest test was the marathon; 4 hours and 30 minutes of the worst conditions I've run in: rain from start to almost finish, wet shoes and wet orthotics. I felt as good as I guess you can feel running that distance, and all it took was a couple of days to dry out fully after. I can't imagine what it takes to wear a pair of these out, but I'm trying and I'm not close yet. For the money these are a steal, you've really got nothing to lose to try them out. I'm buying a couple of extras now just to have them in case they ever go out of production.

I have always had terrible feet and foot pain even in elementary school. I have flat, wide feet, and about a year ago I developed bad sesamoiditis that left the big toe on my left foot bruised and swollen. Even with very good shoes, regular inserts from stores weren't enough, and it was a hassle to have to use arch support and dancer's pads separately. I came across these and decided to give them a shot. I LOVE them and put them in all of my shoes. When they first arrived I was skeptical because they are hard and stiff at first, but the instructions said to give them a few days to break them in, and so I did. In less than a week they had softened up. They came well-packaged with an explanation, instructions, a letter, and contact info. I've had them for a few months now. My feet haven't felt this good since before my sesamoiditis began. It's gotten to the point where I won't wear shoes I can't put them in (open back shoes, sandals, etc). They provide plenty of arch support and keep my metatarsal joints and sesamoids off the ground, and even my knees feel better. Also, this fall I have been walking on concrete an unprecedented amount because I began college, and since my body is used to dirt, my legs and feet were more painful than usual. These inserts allow me to walk much longer through campus without pain than I could before. Besides how comfortable they are, they also look great (I like the neutral color) and fit into every shoe I've tried to put them in so far. They were true to size. They also seem quite long-lasting, as the quality hasn't decreased since I've gotten them and they still look almost brand new. I couldn't be happier. Definitely buying another pair in the future. If you have flat feet, arch pain, metatarsal pain, or sesamoiditis, I'd highly recommend giving these a try.

I plan to update this review when I've worn these longer, but I thought an early review would also be helpful. They seem well made. They come with detailed instructions. There is a recommended period of adjustment; wear them for short periods and gradually increase the time. When I put them in my uncomfortable business loafers, and put the shoes on, my first thought is, "I don't like that." "That's not comfortable." So, I decide to do an experiment. I put in just one, then a different insert (I also bought 3 Dr. S to try cause I just started teaching in middle school and I am on my feet ALL day) in the other shoe. I wear them for a hour. Another day, I do the same thing but switch feet. I'm not sure I notice a difference in an hour. I try again, but for a longer time...2-3 hours (I forgot to keep track), but at home and mostly sitting. I still don't think these are comfortable. But when I take the shoes off, the foot with this insert feels fine...and the other foot is pins and needles and quite uncomfortable for some time (and I did not notice this happening while I was wearing the shoe, only when I took it off). Interesting. Today I am trying these with both inserts for a couple of hours, again at home. I'll report back how my testing goes. But I'm starting to think that maybe they will relieve the crippling foot pain (I literally cannot walk after I get home and stop moving) I've been experiencing. Only time will tell. Oh, I have been to the podiatrist...he wasn't interested in helping me solve the problem, he just wanted to write me a pain prescription. So, no. UPDATE: Well, I worked my way up and wore them for a full day in boots with a 3/4" heel to work. Overall, I would say they did the job of reducing the pain across the ball of my foot, even though it felt like they raised my heel even more, causing more pressure on my toes. The issue I had: they caused new problems for me. The edge of this hard insert rubs under the toe joints...giving me blisters. And the additional pressure caused my toe joints to swell...so I was still hobbled by the end of the day. I cannot even get myself to try wearing them again. I do think they are excellently made and may help others. While they felt weird, they certainly did relieve the metatarsal pain. But I find that they need to extend under the twos to prevent rubbing and pressure.

My original review below. After four months of wearing these in my work boots, 3-4 days per week, the metatarsal pad has pretty much collapsed and no longer provides the level of support that it did when they were new. My suggestion to the manufacturer would be to use a better grade of foam for the metatarsal pad, and to potentially make a version with a larger pad for metatarsal support. Because I purchased these for metatarsalitis pain, I'm reducing my rating to three stars. In all fairness, I haven't contacted the seller, who has been very responsive in the past, but without a change in design, a new pair would only work for a couple of months for me. Original Review: I have metatarsalgia caused by bunions. I've tried a few different adhesive felt pads, but these were mostly unsatisfactory because they were either too high or compressed after a week or two. These inserts are really well made. I thought that they would need an adhesive strip to keep them in place, but so far they're staying in the right place. I can feel the front end of the insert because it doesn't completely taper, but I'll probably get used to this. I wear these inside of a pair of Drew's workboots and my footpain has been significantly reduced. Also, these fit true to size. If you order too largea size, the metatarsal pad will be too far forward. Make sure that the pad sits behind the metatarsal heads, not under them, if that makes sense. I re-ordered the correct size on Thursday and they arrived on Saturday (cross country)! The USPS rocks! Thank you

I have Morton Neuroma. I’ve gone to a podiatrist and she recommend shoes. Tried that for a bit and my foot just was so sore I could barely walk. Tried those pads you stick in your shoes or attach to your foot. I never had them in the right place. I love this orthotic. Yes, it’s a bit stiff and hard but it sure beats the other pain I would have without them. They take a bit of getting used to. They are leather. Follow the advice of wearing for short periods and hang in there it does get better. Would totally recommend to those with Morton Neuroma.

I have struggled with Morton’s neuroma for about six months. The worst pain was during the ski season when I could only get in a few runs before the pain became unbearable. I have tried various options to treat the pain with varying success. To date, this is my number one treatment. These inserts are thin, but provide an effective heel cup to help with alignment. The 3/4 length is good because a neuroma is caused by too much compression in the toe box and this pad does not add any extra bulk. The “behind the ball of the foot pad” fits exactly where it should. I ordered the length recommended for my shoe size, and after trying it for a few days ordered another pair. When wearing a stiff soled shoe, the pad is more noticeable. If you are not trying to relieve the pain from a neuroma, it would be considered uncomfortable. But, this pad provides the support needed for that purpose. If I am wearing a softer soles shoe, the pad is less annoying. I wonder, though, if it would also be less effective. My long term hope is to be able to cure the neuroma and not just alleviate the pain. This pad causes the metatarsals to separate instead of compress. I can already feel a significant decline in the pain and hardness of the neuroma after just a few days of wearing the inserts. Virtually no signs of the neuroma in my minimally affected foot and a big decline in my other foot which could get to the point of being unbearable to walk on. As I move forward towards preparing for this year’s ski season, I am also using PT approved stretches and exercises, using ice as necessary and I am also likely to try toe separators when not wearing shoes. These inserts will fit in my ski boots and I am hopeful that they will prevent pain as well. I was advised by a ski boot fitter to come back in the fall to get custom inserts made but I believe these will do the job. They have been terrific in the four pairs of shoes I have worn them in so far. The inserts will even fit in high heeled shoes but I am avoiding wearing those shoes for now. Remember, my goal is ultimate cure, not just pain relief. It may be unreasonable, but it is worth a valiant effort. The inserts do take care of the pain relief and hopefully will lead to the cure as well.

These have been a game-changer for preventing my Morton’s Neuroma from flaring. I first bought about 10 yrs ago when I was looking for my mom, and I tried a pair too. I now use in every pair of shoes except sandals, and they fit wonderfully since they don’t go into the toe box of a shoe. Because I’ve been buying for so long, I have about 6-7 pairs and they do not seem to wear out. Well made, great product and I receive a “thank you for being a repeat customer” too, which is a nice touch.

Good

The delivery was more streamlined with the second order. The insole was exactly what I wanted.

Beaucoup Plus de douleur que de bienfait ! Elles sont à la poubelle ! N'achetez pas d'un tierce vendeur au travers de Amazone Pas de retour possible, pas de remboursement, pas d'échange

Happy with product, but wish it had a non slip bottom to help keep it in place.