Break-in and Care Instructions for Your Custom
Footbeds and Orthotics
INSTALLATION, BREAK-IN AND CARE OF YOUR ORTHOTICS /
FOOTBEDS
CARE:
Your Foot Dynamics orthotics are fabricated using
the highest quality materials and they should
require very little maintenance. The body or shell
of the orthotics will generally last 5 or more years
depending on patient weight and activity. The
orthotics will likely need to be refurbished every
2-3 years. If they need to be cleaned, this is best
done by gently wiping the top surface with soap and
water. Avoid immersing your orthotics. If they get
wet, remove them from your shoes and let them air
dry. Do not use excessive heat. If your orthotics
need repair or refurbishing, please see your
provider or call Foot Dynamics at (518) 798-3338 for
instructions for return to the lab. Your orthotics
are guaranteed for 90 days for effectiveness and 1
year against breakage or excessive wear. Because of
the wide variety of footwear, activities and for
convenience you may want to have more than one pair
of orthotics. Your impressions will be held for 90
days. If you are interested in a second pair please
inquire with your provider during this period. Foot
Dynamics also offers a wide variety of
orthotic
designs for sport specific and specialty footwear.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS/NOTES:
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GENERAL INFORMATION:
Your new Foot Dynamics orthotics have been custom
fabricated to your unique foot model and are
designed to provide maximum comfort and appropriate
biomechanical control to address your special needs.
Initially your body will need time to adjust to this
new foot posture. It is very important that you
follow the recommended break-in program to prevent
any unnecessary discomfort or injury. Overuse of the
devices during the break-in period may result in
foot/arch discomfort as well as ankle, knee, hip or
back pain. If these symptoms occur, reduce or
suspend use as described in the Break-in
instructions. Be sure your shoes are in good
condition and not broken down. Shoes that are
excessively worn will significantly diminish the
effectiveness of the device. It is recommended that
new orthotics be installed in new shoes.
INSTALLATION:
Full Length Designs: Remove any existing sock liners
or shoe inserts from your shoes. Some shoes have sock
liners that are glued in. These may need to be
removed to provide enough space for your new
orthotics. Your orthotics have been sized to the
tracing and/or size provided to us. If they are too
large to fit into your shoes this may cause
wrinkling of the top cover. If this occurs, take the
sock liners from your shoes and, after lining up the
heels, carefully trace the forefoot shape and trim
your orthotics with scissors. Be careful not to cut
too much off. The orthotics should lie flat on the
bottom of the shoe with minimal rocking. Shoes
without a removable sock liner may require the use
of a 3/4 or 7/8 length design due to space
limitations in the shoe. 3/4 & 7/8 Length Designs:
Place the orthotics in the shoes locating the
orthotics as far back into the heel cup as possible.
Check to see that they lie flat and do not rock
excessively on the bottom of the shoes. When putting
on the shoe, be sure the orthotic remains completely
back of the heel counter. Once in the shoes, the
orthotics should feel fairly natural to your feet.
They should provide contact over the entire bottom
of your feet and feel roughly the same from left to
right. The orthotics may feel slightly different in
various footwear. They will settle a bit in the
shoes as they are worn.
BREAK-IN:
Your new orthotics will take some time to get used
to. It is recommended that you wear them in only one
pair of shoes during the break-in period. Start by
wearing them no more than two hours the first day
and increase wear time by one hour each day. It may
take from one to two weeks before you can wear them
comfortably all day. Avoid running or other intense
activities with the orthotics until your feet have
had an opportunity to adjust to the new foot
posture. For runners, it is possible that some
irritation may also develop in the arch, usually
just behind the big toe. If you feel a hotness
developing in this area take the orthotics out
before a blister is formed. Lubricating this area
may be helpful until the skin becomes toughened up.
If you experience discomfort in your feet, ankles,
knees or back while wearing your new orthotics, take
them out of your shoes and reduce the wear time by
one hour each day until the discomfort disappears.
Resume the normal break-in procedure, increasing
wear time by an hour per day. If after 2 weeks, you
are still having difficulty adjusting to the
orthotics, contact your orthotics provider or Foot
Dynamics at (518) 798-3338 for instructions. Your
orthotics may need to be adjusted. Do not attempt to
adjust the orthotics yourself. !
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