Pause for a moment and reflect on the things you take care of. Of course, there are big things like your family, your home, your car, and yourself. But let’s dig a little deeper. Perhaps you take care of your contact lenses? Did you remember to charge your cell phone last night? Who fed the dog? And when’s the last time you washed your custom orthotics?

Sometimes, in the push and shove, we lose track of the small things. Our personal possessions don’t always receive the best care. But we’re here to help! The saying goes, “If you take care of the small things, the big things take care of themselves”. Well, we believe that caring for your custom orthotics, is caring for your well-being and poor maintenance comes with a cost.

Read on to learn how to properly care for the devices that support your entire body.

Wearing Instructions

First things first, it’s important to break them in gradually to avoid injury and irritation. For the first few days of wear, check your feet (or your child’s feet) periodically for redness or points of pressure. As your body is adjusting to this new alignment, it’s important to wear the orthotics for only 1 to 2 hours a day. Your arches, knees, hips, and back may be irritated if you wear them any longer.

By day three, you can increase the wear to 2 hours at a time, with a 2 hour rest period. Again, monitor the condition of your feet.

By day four, let comfort be your guide. Continue to increase the wear of your custom orthotics each day, but continue to monitor your feet for signs of pain or pressure.

Cleaning Instructions

Custom orthotics are not permanent fixtures at the bottom of your shoes. Take them out once a week and give them a gentle scrub with soap and warm water. Never machine wash your orthotics. Don’t attempt to soak them and don’t place them in the dryer or apply heat of any kind. Your orthotics should always be air dried and completely dry before placed back into your shoes.

While washing, inspect them for debris or signs of wear and tear. No part of the orthotics should be experiencing excessive wear.

Lifespan

The lifespan of custom orthotics varies and depends on a few factors, such as your activity level, size, and frequency of wear. When you begin to notice excessive wear or if you see anything out of the ordinary, it’s time to contact the team at Preferred Foot & Ankle Specialists. We’ll get you in for an appointment.

It doesn’t take much time to care for your custom orthotics. A few minutes here or there spent doing maintenance is better than having to invest in buying a whole new pair. And you can easily expand this philosophy beyond material possessions. There truly are positive effects and psychological benefits to caring for your things. In many ways, it’s akin to caring for yourself. If you have questions about caring for your custom orthotics, give us a call at (480) 497-3946. We look forward to your visit.

Download our Healthy Foundations coloring page here!