Cosmas O’Donnell

Relief from knee pain gets Cosmas back doing the things he loves!

Manager and Head colourist of a busy hair salon in Blackrock Dublin, Cosmas O’Donnell spends 12 hours a day on his feet.



“I love what I do, but the run up to Christmas can mean 14 hour days on my feet. The pain has been so bad that I’ve spent evenings with my feet up and an ice-pack on my knee. Can you imagine the scene? Four young kids running around, excited about Santa, and Dad unable to join in!


I have fallen arches so my knees tend to take the strain. A good friend suggested I visit Foot Solutions, so I popped into the Stillorgan store.


I was invited to go through the complimentary Foot-Assessment, which included a questionnaire, an assessment of how I walk and a scan of my feet to understand pressure points. I was recommended a set of custom made arch supports and cushioned shoes. The result has been amazing, honestly it was like getting my life back!


A few months later and the pain is almost gone. It’s so important for me, I’ve been a Martial Arts instructor for years, and I genuinely thought I was going to have to give it up. Of course, MA is something you do in your bare feet but this was starting to become really painful. The arch supports affected the muscle memory in my feet, so I’m experiencing a lot less strain after a two hour session of karate. I was recommended a knee support too, which really helps.


Being pain-free is extremely important. I work hard and I have a young family. Any spare time I have I spend with them, mucking around with the kids, out walking or kicking a ball. I’d hate to have had to cut back on that.


Foot Solutions has given me ten years of my life back! I can continue with the sports I love to play, and do my job without constant nagging pain. Better still, I look forward to evenings without my knee wrapped in ice!

Foot Solutions also helped my son. He loves playing soccer, and has big dreams about being the next Ronaldo, but he has fallen arches like his Dad. He’d be in a lot of pain after a game. Foot Solutions had a look at his feet too and recommended a set of suitable OTC arch-supports for his boots. He’s delighted, the pain went away, it’s fantastic for him”.


Don’t suffer on, visit your local Foot Solutions today..

Steve Morgan

March 28, 2025
Steve Morgan loves attending concerts at London’s many music venues.  However, in recent years, his enjoyment has been increasingly marred by foot and back pain that prevented him standing for prolonged periods. A keen sportsman, Steve, 44, has a high pain threshold, but about a year ago the discomfort became debilitating, limiting both his mobility and quality of life. Recommended by a work colleague whose mother had been successfully treated for a similar complaint, Steve made an appointment for a free, no obligation assessment at Foot Solutions. “The assessment was detailed, rigorous and really interesting” explains Steve. “All the consultants at Foot Solutions are highly-trained specialists and really know their stuff. I learnt that I have over-pronating feet which means that my arches flatten on impact with the ground. The recommended treatment was customised arch supports. The consultant explained the benefits without applying any sales pressure. After consideration, I decided to proceed with the purchase.” Have the arch supports helped? “They’ve been an absolute godsend” says Steve, “The foot pain has been massively reduced and the back pain has completely gone. I can now enjoy a night out with hardly any discomfort. Plus, my balance and posture have improved so much that I’ve realised that I’m taller than people I thought were bigger than me!” Would he recommend Foot Solutions? “Definitely” confirms Steve, “Foot Solutions are massive in America and it’s easy to see why. The assessment process is excellent, the products are superb and the staff are outstanding.” If you’re suffering from foot, back or joint pain, contact Foot Solutions today to arrange a free foot and gait analysis.

Colin Haylock MBE

March 28, 2025
Although officially retired as a Consultant Maxillofacial Prosthetist, Colin Haylock MBE still travels the world using his specialist life-changing skills to help rebuild people’s faces.  However, following a motorcycle accident which left his left foot badly deformed, Colin’s mobility was significantly restricted. “I was really struggling,” explains Colin, currently an honorary tutor at Guys Medical School. “Following the accident, my movement became painful and awkward and I had to drag my left foot sideways. The problem was accentuated during my travels when I was on my feet a lot of the time.” At first, Colin sought help from the usual channels, visiting casualty, a physiotherapist and even an orthoptist who prescribed rigid (and uncomfortable) half-sole inserts. Unfortunately, nothing worked. Then Colin decided to visit Foot Solutions in Richmond. “I’d been aware of the Foot Solutions free foot assessment offer for some time,” adds Colin “then one Sunday morning I called in to the store. I’m so glad I did because that visit changed my life for the better.” Colin was seen by Foot Solutions consultant Asif, who after taking a full case history, performed a series of tests and scans which identified in addition to the injury, a fallen arch which was exacerbating the problem. “Asif was extremely patient and thorough,” continues Colin, “he recommended custom-made arch supports and advised on suitable footwear, but applied no sales pressure.” Colin accepted Asif’s recommendations and followed his detailed instructions on how to use the arch supports. “I can now walk normally with virtually no discomfort,” says a delighted Colin, “Foot Solutions is a very good product and I am happy to endorse it.”

Heather Paine

March 28, 2025
Food Scientist turned designer jeweller, Heather Paine was finding her mobility and comfort increasingly marred by the effect of arthritis in her ankles and feet. This was exacerbated by a painful condition known as hammer toes, where the toe joints curl downwards, causing friction with footwear. After enduring much discomfort, Heather eventually had an operation in an attempt to reduce the pain. Following the surgery, she was prescribed rigid, three-quarter length standard orthotics, which could only be used in a limited range of very unflattering footwear. “I came across Foot Solutions in Richmond, and decided to call in. I was very patiently and thoroughly taken through a detailed foot assessment process including two scans. Custom arch supports were recommended and I was shown a selection of stylish, comfortable and orthotic-friendly shoes.  After I was fitted with my new orthotics and footwear, the improvement has been dramatic. Life is a lot less painful and I can wear nice shoes, sandals and boots. I recently went to Brazil and spent a lot of time on my feet without any discomfort! I am more than happy to recommend Foot Solutions.”