Your orthotics were carefully designed to improve the biomechanics of your body, but this change does not happen overnight. Think of it as tire alignment for your feet and your body has to get used to it gradually. When you first start wearing your orthotics, you are asking your body to change a pattern of walking it has established for a lifetime. This is not easy and can take up to eight weeks to accept. It is normal to have some cramping, aching, and discomfort during this break in period.

 

 

BREAKING IN PERIOD: Wear your orthotics for only one hour the first day even if they feel great. Increase your time in the orthotics by one hour each day until you have reached five hours a day comfortably. Then you can wear the orthotics for a full day. Everyone is different; it is OK if you can only wear the orthotic for 15 minutes increasing each day. DO NOT RUN OR WORK OUT IN ORTHOTICS UNTIL YOU CAN WEAR THEM COMFORTABLY FOR FIVE HOURS!!

 

CARE: Do not put your orthotics in the washing machine or dishwasher. They will melt. Clean them with a damp cloth and if need be, deodorize them with Lysol spray and/or baby powder.

 

DISCOMFORT: Mild to moderate discomfort during the break-in period is normal. If you experience severe discomfort or blisters, stop wearing orthotics and contact the doctor.

 

FOLLOW-UP: Orthotics need to be periodically assessed for material failure and changes in your biomechanics. The usual pattern of follow-ups are 2 weeks after they are dispensed to assess for adjustments needed, 6 weeks if needed, 6 months, and then one year. Yearly check ups are essential to assess for biomechanical changes and breakdown of the devices. With children, every six months is needed to assess growth patterns. Closer follow-ups may be indicated in difficult cases and in athletes.

 

 

LONGEVITY: Contrary to popular belief, orthotics do not last forever. The average orthotics last about two years. After this period of time, the material starts to bend and correction is less than optimal. This break down may be accelerated with weight, activity level, and being exposed to heat. Marathon runners and people who work 40 hours a week on their feet should replace their orthotics once a year.

 

Run Happy! And Biomechancially Balanced!