It’s normal to feel slight discomfort when you first begin wearing your new foot orthoses. Don’t worry—this is completely normal! Your feet have always functioned a certain way, and now they’re being given support to correct their usual positioning. Even if the change is subtle, your body needs time to adapt and regain balance.
The goal of a foot orthosis is to correct your posture, reduce pain and ensure the long-term health of your joints. Even if the change is subtle, your body needs time to adapt and regain balance.
In this article, we provide tips and walk you through the key steps to help you adjust more quickly to your foot orthoses.
Start out gradually
The adjustment period for foot orthoses varies according to the patient and the type of foot pain. It’s important to follow your healthcare professional’s instructions and stick to your treatment plan.
Generally, we recommend wearing your new foot orthoses only a few hours per day for the first two or three days, then a little longer each day. This will allow your body to adjust to the new foot positioning and help prevent prolonged discomfort.
If you experience pain in the first few days, remove your orthoses and put them back in the next day. Most patients who start out gradually get used to their orthoses in about a month. If discomfort persists, make a follow-up appointment so we can identify the issue and adjust your treatment.
Phasing in your orthoses slowly will make the adjustment period smoother, maximize effectiveness and prolong their lifespan.
Come back and see us
We recommend returning for a follow-up a few weeks after receiving your orthoses to make sure you’re adjusting well.
During this appointment, please let us know of any pain or discomfort, so we can make quick changes to improve long-term comfort.
Even if everything feels fine, an annual follow-up is strongly recommended. The lifespan of a custom foot orthosis varies depending on materials and usage. Regular follow-ups help your orthotist make sure your orthoses continue to provide the proper support and correction.
If you still have pain six weeks or longer after starting to wear your new orthoses, we recommend scheduling an adjustment appointment to ensure they are still suited to your needs.
