Orthotics and Prosthetics

Shoes:  Wear & Care

While being fitted with your new shoes, your Pedorthist or Orthotist instructed you on how to break in and care for your new shoes.

Socks

• Always wear clean, non-elastic cotton socks with your shoes.
• Smooth out all wrinkles before putting on the shoes, making sure that they have not been pulled too tightly over your toes.

Shoes

• For the first few days, wear your new shoes several 30-60 minute times per day.  Inspect your skin each time you remove your shoes.
• Do not increase wearing time until you are sure that the shoes are properly fitted and your skin is tolerating the supportive pressures (see Self Examination below).
• Use a shoe horn every time you put on your shoes.  This will prevent the supportive heel counter from breaking down.
• Keep your shoes laced tightly enough so that your feet will not slide forward in the shoe.  Do not lace your shoes so tightly that the laces cause pressure marks.
• Inspect shoes daily to ensure that the heels and soles are in good condition.  Excessively worn soles will alter your foot alignment which could result in exacerbation of your condition.
• Maintain the uppers by applying a good paste or wax polish to keep the leather soft.  If they get wet, allow them to air-dry: never use heat to dry them.   The use of shoe trees over night will maintain the shape and prolong the life of the shoe.

Self-Examination

• After wearing your shoes for 30 minutes, remove your shoes and socks and look at the skin on your feet.  Use a mirror to see all areas of you feet.
  • Reddened areas may indicate excessive pressure.
  • Check the time it takes for the reddened areas to disappear.  If the reddened areas are gone in 30 minutes or less (or if there are no reddened areas at all) you may put your socks and new shoes back on again and recheck after another 30 minutes.
  • If the skin inspections continue to look good (redness dissipates in 30 minutes) you may double the time that you wear your shoes each day.
  • Remember to look for pressure areas every time you take off your shoes.
• If you notice pressure areas that do not go away in 30 minutes, do not put shoes back on, but try again the next day.  If the pressure areas still do not go away within 30 minutes, do not wear the shoes.  Call your Pedorthist or Orthotist for an appointment so the problem can be corrected.
• Check the skin on your feet every night. 

If you have any question or concerns about your shoes or foot problems, please contact your Pedorthist or Orthotist.  Your foot health and comfort are very important to us.