Orthotic Guidance and Information sheet
You have been issued with orthoses. These insoles/orthoses have been prescribed specifically for YOU and suit your unique concern. Medical devices aim to improve foot function and decrease symptoms in your feet or legs.
Use this guide to find the most suitable shoes for your orthoses:
- Deep heel cup, wide toe box and well supportive footwear.
- If you have been given a FULL length device and your footwear has a removable insole, please remove this and replace it with your new orthoses.
- Slightly elevated heel up to 2.5cm
- Consider a lace up trainer, buckle or Velcro type shoe to support the orthotic device.
- The orthotics are only as good as the footwear you wear them in and therefore may not fit into unsupportive footwear, high heels or sandals.
How to introduce your orthotic devices:
Your orthotics have been prescribed and designed to reduce abnormalities in your foot posture and/or function which can affect your legs, ankles, knees, hips and lower back. This may change how you use these muscles and joints so it is important to break in your orthotics slowly otherwise they can make your muscles and joints tired and painful. The adjustment period can take up to 6 weeks until they are comfortable. It is common to feel like you are slipping out the back of your shoes slightly when you first break in your orthotics. If this continues, please review your choice of footwear.
Allow a slow and gradual break in period. We advise:
- Day 1: Wear your new orthoses for 1 hour
- Day 2: Wear for 2 hours
- Day 3: Wear for 3 hours
- Day 4: Wear for 4 hours
- Continue increasing wear time by one hour per day until they feel relatively comfortable.
- Reduce your usage or have a rest day if you are feeling sore or fatigued by the orthoses.
After 2-3 weeks, you should be wearing your orthoses for most of the day.
- You can now start introducing your orthotics into your sports and increased levels of activity.
- Everyone responds differently to orthoses, so please use this information as a guide only. If it takes you twice as long to break them in, that’s ok. Even if they are feeling fine, please follow the steps above with caution.
Caution!
- Your Podiatrist recommends a review in line with your treatment plan.
- The orthotic top cover may wear out after a few years.
- Do not put your orthoses in the washing machine.
- You may experience one or more of the following symptoms: Aching ankles, knees, hips, thighs, lower legs, back or discomfort on the soles of your feet. Symptoms should settle down within a few months.
- Should these symptoms continue, or deteriorate, please remove the orthoses and then contact the clinic directly to book a review appointment as the insoles may need further adjustment.