Orthotics that fit properly can make a huge difference. I don;t
understand about the graphite, though. Each time I had new orthotics
made, they were made by an OT using a mold of my foot. The material
itself is plastic. Over the years the materials and style of the
orthotic has changed. At one time it was a small insert that fit under
the arch. Now the ones I have are attached to a full insole.

See an OT for a custom made orthotic. One you buy commercially is not
the same.
    Rose   @}>->--
    Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown, one seeks to understand it. RB

    Please remove "Ima" to reply.

Becky, I have two sets, both made by podiatrists. One is rigid and one is
semi-rigid. My RD wanted me to have the semi-rigid ones because he thinks
folks with RA need support that moves with the foot.

I prefer the rigid ones because they support my arch and metatarsals better.
It also makes a difference what type of shoes I put them in. My New Balance
are the most comfortable, with or without the orthotics. The cross-trainers
have a wonderful arch support for those of us with flat feet.

Disclaimer: I am not now, nor have I ever been, employed by New Balance or
any of their subsidiaries, holdings, etc. I in no way benefit monetarily, or
any other way, by espousing the wonders of their shoes.

Kelly C.

Hi Becky,

I am a hiker and I had to completely stop my wonderful sport due to foot
problems.

I have custom made orthotics and they are worth every penny I have ever
spent on them and they're not cheap.  I never, never go without my orthotics
and if I try to be "dressy" I really pay a price.

Hiker

Becky,

When I first got my plastic ones, I put them directly in my shoes and they
were sooooo uncomfortable.  An OT at school told me to put them *under* the
sock liner!  It made all the difference.

Mary Margaret

I wore them for a long time but finally got so the
burning in my feet was worse with them. I wear
Birkenstocks all the time now and that burning has
disappeared. Some people can't wear Birk's; some can. I
have now gone to the soft foot bed as well now and just
LOVE them. My mother has neuropathy in both her feet
and wears soft foot bed sandals all the time. I think
it is the cork that handles foot shock that makes them
so good for me. They even have lace up shoes if you
don't want sandals but I like sandals as my toes get to
move if they want to.
If your feet are flat, you will probably not find these
comfortable. Metophistos work better for people with no
well defined arch.
So what kind of shoe is your orthodic in at the moment.
How old are your shoes. When I had orthodics, I had to
buy a new pair of sneakers every three months. If I
bought two pair, I could go 6 months by alternating
them. Makes a big difference. And then nothing I did
helped anymore until I found the Birk's.
I used to be able to walk Wal-Mart and then a grocery
and still be able to go out that night. Before, a walk
in Wal-Mart would mean bed when I got home. Boggles the
mind that people can work in those places and not throw
up from the pain in their feet. Just shows you what
normal would allow us to do.
Duckie

I like my orthotics.  They were custom made about a year ago.  I've had them
adjusted a couple times to customize the fit and that made all the
difference.  My feet are better and don't get so tired when I walk.  I was
also told to go back once a year to check the fit and get a new surface put
on.  It sounds like you need the fit checked and probably a different
material as well.  Even with a few days to get used to them, orthotics
should feel comfortable the moment you first try them on and the doc.
shouldn't let you leave their office without checking the fit and doing a
walking test.

Skip

i suppose i'm not the best person to answer this, primarily because i don't
have RA, but do have OA.  however, i'm wondering if you've tried anything,
like and insole made of sorbathane (to absorb shock), over your "hard like
cement" orthodics?

and i'm wondering who made your orthodics for you?  personally, i think an
LCPO does a better job of customizing the fit.  the thing i find distressing
about having podiatrists fit you for them is that some pods will make a mold
of your non-weight-bearing feet and others will make weight-bearing molds.
both will argue that their method is the correct way to do it.  however,
each method will yield an entirely different result.  and for me, neither
corrected my pronation.

personally, i've had several pair of full-sized orthodics and ultimately
gave up on them in favor of customized thermo-cork heel to arch insert, with
a gel heel cup and better shoes.  (but then, i do have a full inch
difference in my leg lengths.)

kate