Foot Orthosis
While being fitted with your foot orthosis (FO), your Orthotist will instruct you on how to wear and use your FO effectively. Some points to remember:
PROPER FIT
- Similar to a new pair of shoes, a correctly fitted orthosis may seem uncomfortable at first. During the first few days, alternate times in and out of your FO while noting any red or sore areas. As you build up tolerance, increase wears time as advised by your physician or Orthotist.
- If you experience any sharp and/or jabbing pressure from your FO (especially along the edges or over bony areas) contact our Orthotist.
- Change in bone structure and/or body size may cause your FO to fit unsatisfactorily. Visit with your physician or Orthotist on a regular basis to see if any changes in the FO are necessary.
SELF-EXAMINATION
- Examine the condition of your skin daily. Contact your Orthotist immediately with any persistent soreness or irritation caused by your FO.
KEEPING YOUR ORTHOISIS CLEAN
- To clean your orthosis, wipe with a damp cloth and completely dry with a towel, or allow your FO to dry at room temperature.
STOCKINGS
- Clean cotton stockings should be worn with your FO.
- Keep the stockings wrinkle-free.
SHOES
- Your orthosis should work well in most types of shoes; however, the shoe will be tighter when the orthosis is added. Athletic shoes work well when the inlay sole is taken out. Remember, shoes or athletic type shoes will wear out faster on the inside rather than the outside when wearing an FO.
If you have any questions or concerns about your foot orthosis, please contact your Orthotist. Your health and comfort are important to us.
WEARING SCHEDULE
Only increase the wearing time if you are able to wear it fairly comfortably.
You may experience some discomfort in other parts of the body such as in your knees, hip, back, and neck.
Your orthosis may need to be adjusted. For this reason, it is important to keep your scheduled follow-up appointment to maintain the optimum fit and function of your orthosis.
If a squeaking sound is detected from the orthosis rubbing in your shoe, a light dusting of talcum powder should remedy this noise.
To facilitate wearing of your orthosis, you must follow these instructions as closely as possible.
Your orthosis is a highly specialized device. As with any such device, the orthosis requires regular maintenance. It is very important that you see your Orthotist at least every six months for a check-up and maintenance of your orthosis.
