KEVIN A. KIRBY, D.P.M.
Sports Medicine, Pediatric and Adult Foot Disorders, Foot Surgery
107 Scripps Drive, Suite #200, Sacramento, CA
95825
(916) 925-8111
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR FOOT ORTHOTICS
The functional foot orthotics that you have received today are an important part of Dr. Kirby's treatment plan for your foot or lower extremity biomechanical problem.
The following is a list of facts and suggestions about foot orthotics that will allow you to receive maximum therapeutic benefit from them.
Break-in Period: For most people the best break-in period is to only wear the orthotics walking or standing for 2 hours the first day, 4 hours the second day and 6 hours the third day.
[For athletes (i.e. runners, tennis players, etc.) the break-in period for the orthotics should include only 30 minutes of athletic activity the first day, 60 minutes the second day and 2 hours the third day.]
Once you have become accustomed to having the orthotics inside your shoes for up to 6 hours of walking or standing per day then you should be able to wear them all day long.
Most people can wear orthotics all day long within one week of receiving them.
If during the break-in period you experience discomfort in your feet, legs, knees, hip or back then try not wearing them for a day and then, the following day, start back at the beginning of the normal break-in period.
Minor aches and pains during the break-in period are fairly common occurrences and only indicate that the orthotics are doing their job of changing the mechanics of your musculoskeletal system during standing and walking.
Ordering Additional Pairs of Orthotics:
The orthotics that you received today were made from prescription models of your feet that were designed to treat the specific biomechanical abnormalities in your feet and lower extremities.
After your orthotics are initially made, the models of your feet are then optically scanned, digitized and stored on computer disk for an indefinite period at the prescription orthotic lab.
Additional pairs of orthotics may be made at any time (for a significant discount) for shoes ranging from sandals, dress shoes and sports shoes, depending on your needs.
If you want an additional pair of orthotics made, then let us know and we will have the new orthotics fabricated for you that will be specifically designed for your shoes and your activities.
Squeaking Orthotics: The white plastic orthotics may squeak inside your shoes.
The best way to eliminate squeaking of the orthotics is to put a liberal amount of baby powder inside your shoes before you put your orthotics inside your shoes.
Another way to eliminate squeaking orthotics is to rub candle wax on the outer edges of the orthotics before they are placed inside the shoes.
Shoe Considerations: Dr. Kirby will recommend certain styles of shoes for you to purchase when you get your orthotics so that the orthotics will work best at healing your injuries. The best shoes to prevent heel slippage are lace-up shoes such as walking shoes, running/jogging shoes or high top shoes since they have the most depth.
In addition, if the shoe has a removable insole, try removing the insole and then try the orthotic inside the shoe to see if this eliminates the heel slippage.
Because foot orthotics will take up some room inside your shoes, you will expect the shoes to fit slightly differently with orthotics inside.
You may need to shop for new shoes, with your orthotics, if all of your shoes feel too snug with your orthotics inside.
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