Orthoses
Information for the issue of a new foot orthoses, getting used to your othoses and additional information.
Instructions for the issue of a new foot orthoses.
Your symptoms are consistent with those caused by mechanical problems associated with posture and the way your foot functions when walking.
These problems can sometimes be corrected with the use of functional orthoses. These are designed to improve foot function and posture, thereby eliminating or reducing any abnormal movement and forces that may have caused you injury.
Often orthoses will form only part of your treatment and you may also be prescribed specific exercises. If this is the case, it is important that you do these excercises, as without them your recovery will be delayed.
As the orthoses are intended to make adjustments in your posture and the way in which you walk, it is possible that you may experience minor aches and pains for the first few days. This is because some muscles are being used differently, causing some overtire. For this reason you are advised to undergo a breaking-in period. This period of adjustment may take a week or two and you should avoid unusually long walks for the first month while your muscles fully adjust.
On the first day, the orthoses should be worn for only an hour. Increase the wearing in time by an extra hour each day, until you are wearing them all day.
If you are going to wear them whilst participating in any sporting activites, you will probably need a different adjustment programme. If this is the case, you will need to discuss this with your podiatrist before wearing the orthoses when playing sport or training. In most cases you should not wear your orthoses for playing sport until you are comfortably wearing them all day for normal walking.
Sometimes orthoses need to make significant adjustment to gait and some people can experience more than the usual adjustment 'pains'. If this happens to you stop wearing the orthoses and contact your podiatrist, so that together you can review the orthoses and your breaking-in programme.
If you experince any back, hip or knee pains you should stop wearing the orthoses immediatley and inform your podiatrist.
Getting used to your Orthoses.
At first, your orthoses may feel unusal and even slightly uncomfortable. This is to be expected.
After some time they will become more comfortable provided the 'wearing in' instructions are followed closely.
WEARING IN
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Do not be in a hurry to wear them all day - it takes time to reverse what has developed over a long period of time.
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Start by wearing the devices for ONE HOUR on the first day, increasing by one hour each day until they can be tolerated all day long. E.g 1st day - one hour, 2nd day - two hours etc.
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If you find that you cannot wear them for the prescribed period for that day, DON'T WEAR THEM ON THAT DAY.
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The next day go back to the period you felt comfortable wearing them and only increase the wearing time by 30 minutes. IF THEY ARE COMFORTABLE.
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Your podiatrist will review your progress in approximatley 6 weeks. By this time you should expect to be wearing the devices for 8-10 hours a day.
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Do not be surprised if you feel a little discomfort in the legs or back during the early stages of wearing the devices, muscles will be adapting to new positions and functions.
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If you find your shoes are slipping off at the back, then you may need to try other shoes, or other styles. Try ones with a deep heel counter. Heel grips may also help in the shoes.
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If you do not follow these instructions closely then you may find a long delay in getting used to the devices, and a delay in getting any benefit from them.
How to Order Additional Pairs of Orthoses
The orthotic laboratory usually will keep your casts for one year. If you would like additional pairs of orthoses within a year of your biomechanical evaluation (BME) appointment, the lab usually would be able to use your casts to make a new pair of orthoses. Therefore if you request additional pairs within one year of your BME, we can prescribe these to you without charging any appointment fees. You will need to attend an orthotic fitting appointment, but no fee is charged for that appointment. A reduced fee is also charged to your orthoses.
If you require additional orthoses following a peroid greater than one year from your BME appointment, or your foot position deteriorates significantly over time, we will need to repeat your BME appointment and take new casts of your feet. We must then charge for your appointments and orthoses.
Additional Orthotic Information
Your orthoses have been made to a high standard, by a professional orthotic laboratory, using the highest quality materials.
Guarantee
The guarantee against breakages of your orthoses is dependant on the material used and its thickness. The guarantee for your orthoses is two years, Lifetime guarantee against breakage due to reasonable wear and usage.
Reburbishment
The top cover of your orthoses will need recovering approximatley every 12 to 18 months, depending on how your orthoses are used. This will involve your orthoses being sent back to the laboratory to be refurbished. This usually takes 2 to 3 weeks, and a fee will be charged for this service.
Orthotic Review Appointment
We have advised you how to start wearing your orthoses, and to gradually increase the wearing in period. We do recommend you return approximatley 6 weeks after your orthoses have been issued, so we may review your progress, and advise any further self care advise or treatment that may be benefical to you.
The orthotic laboratory will alter your orthoses free of charge during the first three months from the date of issue. It is crucial you attend the review appointment, so any necessay alterations can be identified and arranged at no further cost to you.
Annual Review Appointment
We strongly recommend that you attend your Annual Orthotic Review appointments, annually after your orthoses have been fitted to you. With some patients, their condition or foot alignment may deteriorate with time. At your annual review appointment we will check your orthoses still provide the correction for your foot and lower leg alignment that you require. We will assess you for muscle imbalances and an exercise programme will be issued to you if required.
We can also check the condition of your orthoses and recommend refurbishment if needed. Other advice for example footwear or sports training advice can also be provided to you at this appointment if appropriate.
