Do Your Orthotics Need to Be Refurbished or Replaced?

There are many compelling reasons to choose custom orthotics over store-bought inserts. The biggest one, of course, is that they just plain work better. This ought to make sense, since they’re crafted for you and no one else, after a licensed professional conducts a complete evaluation. Another important benefit? Durability.

Because they’re made of top-notch materials, custom orthotics that are well maintained may last for several years. Better yet, they can often be repaired or refurbished rather than replaced, in order to keep them in top working order. Still, all good things eventually come to an end, and you don’t want your orthotics to wear out their welcome, either.

Should you be replacing custom orthotics that you’ve owned for some time? Here are a few telltale signs that you should get your orthotics checked:

• Foot pain is coming back. This could be a sign that your orthotics are wearing out or breaking down. It could also be a sign that your foot shape is changing, and so the customized fit of the orthotics isn’t quite so perfect anymore. Depending on your situation, we may be able to refurbish soft materials or adjust the shape of the orthotics.
• You notice corns, calluses, blisters, or other skin irritation. Again, this can be a sign that your orthotics aren’t providing the right support or fit any longer.
• Your shoes show uneven wear patterns. If your orthotics are working properly, they ought to balance your weight evenly and correct abnormalities with your walking gait. Uneven tread wear between your left and right shoes indicate a problem in at least one of these areas.
• You notice cracks, compression, or other visible signs of wear in the orthotics themselves. Broken orthotics cannot provide the support you need, and may even make things worse. If you notice any structural damage, or padding that has worn thin, bring them in. We’ll help determine whether they can be repaired or need to be replaced.
• You’ve had a significant lifestyle event or change since your orthotics were prescribed. Lifestyle factors can significantly influence the kinds of forces and pressures applied to your feet, in ways that can make your existing orthotics less effective. Just to name a few examples: losing or gaining a lot of weight, a knee or back injury, surgery, pregnancy, etc.
• It’s been at least a year since your last orthotics checkup. Just like you would (or at least should) give your car a tune-up and an oil change at regular intervals, it’s good practice to get your orthotics checked regularly—even if you haven’t noticed any obvious problems. Minor adjustments here and there can extend the life of your orthotics while ensuring they always provide the best possible performance.

With regular maintenance and just a bit of luck, custom orthotics may provide years of pain-free locomotion. But if you notice yours aren’t looking, working, or feeling quite as well as they used to, please visit our office in Ladera Ranch for a checkup. Refurbishing or replacing custom orthotics can often be the best move! To schedule, please call (949) 364-9255.