Getting used to orthotics in 5 easy steps (number tbd) – overview of benefits of orthotics plus tips for getting used to wearing orthotics including gradually increasing wear time, follow up appointment to check for fit, be patient (how long should wait t

Orthotics have the benefit of supporting the feet that need that. If a person’s arches have fallen, it can cause pain in the arch, ankle or even the knee. Correcting this issue can help relieve pain that a person experiences.

Orthotics are also good at providing shock absorption for the feet that need that.  Injuries to the feet can cause sore spots on them, calluses and even ulcers. Most people don’t want these problems and orthotics are a way to help get these problems under control.  They provide cushioning and pressure relief to the “sore spots”

Orthotics can be used to help make the foot more stable and to prevent ankle sprains. These orthotics may be a bit taller than the ones normally seen because they need to be a bit taller to do what they need.

Orthotics can also be used to help relieve some types of knee pain if they are angled in the correct way.

Some people say they got orthotics to reduce the early abnormal wear.  That may well be the case, but they are also correcting other problems in the foot that led to the abnormal and premature wear on the shoes in the first place!

Getting used to orthotics can take some getting used to and may need some care to do this.  If you have a more significant correction that needs to be made, it can take some adjustment to get you accustomed to walking in a more healthy position.

There are a number of steps that you can use to help with this process.

  1. Make sure they feel comfortable when you get them. There are issues that may be easily fixed when you pick them up that take a moment to be fixed!
  2. Wear your orthotics for 2 hours to start with and gradually increase by an hour or so each day. If you get to about 4 or 5 hours and have discomfort somewhere, do not increase the next day – stay at the same time wearing them until that feeling goes away.  Progressing too soon can cause an injury that will take longer to heal and for you to be active again.
  3. NO MARATHONS until you are used to them. Use them for normal daily activities to start with. If you engage in too much physical activity with the orthotics too soon, it can bring on an injury that could take some time to heal up.
  4. Make sure they fit in all your shoes Orthotics are made to fit your foot. If they do not fit in the shoe properly, they will not be be interface that you need between the shoe and your foot!
  5. Follow up appointments are a great idea – especially if you have questions about something. It may take about 2 weeks to get up to wearing them full time.  If something is not right before then, call and get an appointment. If they feel OK, a followup appointment in two to three weeks can be a quick visit with the Pedorthist to make sure that all is well.  You may not see something that needs to be adjusted to make them work even better for you.

Please come see a Pedorthist for more specific answers to questions that you have about orthotics and see how you can keep active in a healthy way.