General information
Insoles may be prescribed for a variety of reasons. They can help to correct the alignment of your feet and legs and or redistribute pressure to relieve painful areas and protect your feet from abnormal pressure. Proper alignment is important for balancing and distributing your body weight more evenly, thereby reducing excessive pressure and stress on your feet, ankles and other body parts.
In most situations, insoles are able to correct mild to moderate foot problems, reduce associated pain and protect feet from future problems. Because each person is unique, so is his or her response to treatment. As you adjust to this new and proper alignment, you may experience some discomfort. The adjustment period usually ranges from one to six weeks when the recommended wearing guidelines are followed.
Children will also experience this period of adjustment to wearing insoles. It is important that parents check their child’s feet on an ongoing basis to take into account any growth. As a rough guide insoles will continue to fit for approximately two shoe sizes of growth.
Wearing
Your insoles have been prescribed for you and they are intended for your use only.
Your insoles are designed to conform to the shape of your feet and may feel slightly ‘strange’ due to the realignment of the foot and pressure distribution and will therefore require a gentle break-in period.
Wear time
Start slowly, only wearing you insoles for a maximum of one hour on the first day, with low to moderate activities. Increase the wearing time each day, by one to two hours until you are comfortable wearing your insoles all day.
Do not use your insoles during peak activities, such as work or sports for example, until you are comfortable wearing your insoles for several hours without discomfort.
If you experience any pain or discomfort, remove the insoles from your shoes for at least two to four hours and then try them again. If the pain persists, stop wearing them and make an appointment to see the Biomechanics Specialist for a review.
The greatest long-term benefits are achieved when you are consistent about wearing your insoles on a daily basis.
Shoes
Select good shoes with proper support and always try them on with the insoles in place to ensure proper fit. Suitable fitting and supportive footwear is vital to the function of the insoles and overall comfort.
The best type of shoes to wear with your insoles should have a closed back and toe; come over the top of the feet like lace-up sport shoes; low heels; a removable liner; and slightly wider width to accommodate the insoles.
Be sure to wear tights, stockings or socks to minimise the possibility of skin irritation.
Ensure the insoles fit flat in the shoe and are not folded up or creased. During use, ensure that footwear is secured as tightly as is comfortable. Your insoles should be transferable between most of your shoes.
Exercises
Sometimes the required wearing time of the insoles can be decreased by following a regular exercise routine to strengthen the leg and foot muscles. Advice about such exercises, if appropriate, will be discussed during your appointment.
Skin care
Check your feet carefully every day. Any reddened or tender areas could indicate a problem with the fit of your shoes or the insoles.
Please make a biomechanics review appointment if you feel any prolonged discomfort, rubbing or chaffing.
Durability
A wide variety of materials are used to make insoles and enhance durability while providing the necessary comfort and support for your activity level. With most of the materials today, your insoles should last about 18 months with moderate use and proper care.
However, if the material on the bottom of your insoles gets worn, or if your insoles break, contact the department. Do not attempt to fix the insoles yourself.
Care
Clean your insoles at least once a fortnight to reduce bacterial growth using a damp cloth and allow to dry naturally in the air. Avoid drying in direct sources of heat (such as on the heater or using a hair dryer).
During the night, remove your insoles from the shoes to allow a natural drying process.
Entitlement
You are entitled to one pair of insoles. Further pairs can be purchased from named suppliers and the biomechanics department will adjust as necessary.
Remember
Please remember to bring your insoles with you when attending appointments, even if they are worn out or no longer fit. If you have any questions about the type of insoles you have been recommended, please talk to the biomechanics specialist.
Contact podiatry foot protection
Document control
- Document reference: DP7829/07.17.
- Date reviewed: April 2017.
Page last reviewed: October 17, 2024
Next review due: October 17, 2025
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