Wearing & Caring for Your Orthotics
The Podiatry Clinics
Your orthotics have been selected or individually prescribed following your assessment.
They are designed to help manage the loads and pressures acting through your feet and lower limbs and form part of your overall treatment plan. Depending on your condition, this may also include exercises, footwear changes, activity modification and other treatments.
Getting Used to Your New Orthotics
Even when your orthotics feel comfortable straight away, we recommend gradually increasing your wearing time.
Suggested Wearing-In Plan
Most patients should aim to build towards comfortable daily use over approximately 1–2 weeks.
This is a guide rather than a target you must achieve.
If your feet or legs become uncomfortable after a particular length of time, remove the orthotics and return to the last comfortable wearing time before increasing again more gradually.
What Should They Feel Like?
Initially, you may be aware of:
- Pressure underneath the arch
- A different sensation beneath the heel or foot
- Your feet working slightly differently
- Mild muscular aching in the feet or lower legs
- Greater awareness of the orthotic on one side than the other
Mild awareness or temporary aching can occur while you adapt to a new orthotic.
It should gradually settle as you become accustomed to the device.
Your orthotics should NOT cause:
- Significant or increasing pain
- Sharp or persistent pain
- Blistering
- Skin breakdown
- Significant rubbing
- Persistent focal pressure
- New symptoms that continue or worsen
- Significant new pain in the ankle, knee, hip or back
If this happens, stop wearing the orthotics and contact The Podiatry Clinics for advice.
Your orthotics may simply require an adjustment.
Call 0121 285 5656Footwear Is Important
An orthotic and a shoe work together.
Where possible, choose footwear with:
- Adequate width for your foot
- Sufficient depth
- A secure heel
- Laces, straps or another secure fastening
- A stable sole
- Enough internal space for your foot and orthotic
Trainers and many walking shoes are particularly useful because their original removable sock liner can often be taken out to create additional space.
If your shoe has a removable insole
In many cases, remove the existing insole before inserting your orthotic, particularly with a full-length device.
Do not automatically place your orthotic on top of a thick existing insole unless your podiatrist has advised you to do so.
¾-length orthotics
These can often sit over the existing shoe liner, depending on the footwear and your individual prescription.
If you are unsure, please ask us.
Make Sure the Orthotic Is Sitting Correctly
Before putting your shoe on:
- Make sure the orthotic is sitting flat inside the shoe.
- Ensure it is pushed fully back against the heel of the shoe.
- Check that nothing is folded or trapped underneath it.
- Put your foot into the shoe carefully.
- Make sure your heel is sitting securely at the back.
- Fasten the shoe securely.
The orthotic should not slide significantly inside the footwear.
Walking, Running & Sport
Initially use them during normal everyday activities.
Once you can comfortably wear them during normal walking, gradually introduce them into:
- 1Longer walks
- 2Gym / activity
- 3Training
- 4Running / sport
Do not introduce new orthotics for the first time immediately before a long walk, race, match, holiday or major sporting event.
For runners and athletes, gradually increase training exposure rather than immediately completing your normal full training volume in the new orthotics.
Your podiatrist may give you a different progression according to your condition and activity.
Should I Wear Them All Day?
Once you have completed the wearing-in period and they are comfortable, use your orthotics according to the treatment plan discussed with your podiatrist.
For many patients this means wearing them regularly during the activities and footwear where they are intended to provide benefit.
Some orthotics are prescribed for particular activities, footwear or stages of rehabilitation.
Follow the individual advice provided by your podiatrist.
Moving Orthotics Between Shoes
You can usually transfer your orthotics between compatible footwear.
However, an orthotic that fits perfectly in a trainer may not fit correctly in a narrow work shoe or other low-volume footwear.
If you regularly use several different types of footwear, discuss this with us.
An additional pair or a differently designed orthotic may sometimes be more appropriate than repeatedly transferring one pair between very different shoes.
Looking After Your Orthotics
To help maintain your orthotics:
- Remove them periodically from your shoes to allow them to air
- Wipe them with a slightly damp cloth when required
- Allow them to dry naturally
- Keep them away from excessive heat
- Do not place them on a radiator
- Do not machine wash or tumble dry them unless specifically advised
- Do not attempt to grind, cut or significantly alter them yourself
If the top cover becomes worn, starts lifting or the orthotic appears damaged, contact us.
Many components can be reviewed, adjusted or refurbished without necessarily replacing the entire orthotic.
Check Your Feet
During the wearing-in period, check your feet regularly for areas of:
This is particularly important if you have diabetes, reduced sensation, poor circulation or another condition that increases the risk of skin injury.
If you have reduced sensation or have been classified as an at-risk foot, follow the individual wearing instructions provided by your clinician rather than relying solely on this general guide.
Don’t Judge Your Orthotics Too Quickly
Orthotics are not simply cushions designed to produce an immediate sensation of comfort.
They are prescribed to help manage forces and loads associated with your condition.
Although some patients notice improvement quickly, others require longer for symptoms and activity tolerance to change.
Continue with your other prescribed treatment — particularly rehabilitation exercises and activity or footwear advice — unless your clinician has advised otherwise.
Your 6-Week Orthotic Review
We normally recommend reviewing new custom orthotics at approximately 6 weeks.
This gives you sufficient time to wear them, use them during normal activities and assess how your symptoms are responding.
At your review we can assess:
- Comfort and fit
- Changes in symptoms
- Your ability to wear the orthotics
- Footwear compatibility
- Pressure or rubbing
- Whether the prescription is achieving its intended objective
- Whether any adjustments are required
If there is a problem before six weeks, do not wait for the review appointment. Contact us.
Your Orthotics May Need Adjustment
Orthotic prescription is a clinical process.
Occasionally an orthotic needs refinement after you have actually walked and lived in it.
An adjustment does not necessarily mean that your orthotic is incorrect.
Your response to the device provides useful clinical information, and small changes to cushioning, contour, posting, accommodation or fit can sometimes significantly improve comfort and function.
When Should I Contact the Clinic?
Please contact us if:
- You cannot progress through the wearing-in period
- Pain is increasing rather than settling
- You develop significant new pain
- You experience persistent rubbing or pressure
- You develop a blister or skin lesion
- The orthotic feels unstable or moves inside the shoe
- You cannot fit it comfortably into appropriate footwear
- The orthotic appears damaged
- Your symptoms significantly worsen
Longer-Term Orthotic Care
Your orthotics do not necessarily need replacing after a fixed period.
Their useful life varies according to:
We recommend periodic review to determine whether your orthotics remain appropriate.
Over time they may simply require:
rather than complete replacement.
If your symptoms, activity, footwear or foot function have changed significantly, a reassessment may be appropriate.