Do you remember when you got your orthotics for the first time? It was a life changing experience, right? But between then and now, how long has it been? If you don’t remember, it’s probably been much longer than you think. Every day that you wear your orthotics you are impressing wear and tear onto them. But how can you tell if they are just well-worn, or if they aren’t doing their job anymore? There are a few simple signs that you can look for.
Common Signs to Watch For
Every once in a while, you should be testing the status of your orthotics. You can do this by pressing down on the arch of the orthotic section and seeing how it reacts. If it compresses under the pressure, it’s probably time to look at getting an appointment for new ones. You can also test their wear by actually wearing them—standing on them without your shoes. If you can bend your legs and have a straight line from your toes to your knee, your orthotics are most likely in good shape. If not, you should make an appointment.
Wear Time Affects Your Orthotics Too
Orthotics will cause discomfort if they are no longer able to support you, it’s just part of the design. It’s important to remember that many factors will impact how your orthotics are working for you, including how long you’ve had them and how often you use them. Older orthotics could be made of less durable material, and so they might degrade faster than the newer versions. At the same time, if you are wearing them every day for hours and hours, say for work, they are, of course, going to break down faster than any other orthotics.
Orthotics are meant to enhance mobility and comfort as you live your life. If you have noticed a return of pain in your feet or you feel that they are no longer working for you—get an appointment to see what else can be done. PTI Orthotics is Colorado’s best kept secret for foot care—make sure you utilize that care to the fullest. Give us a call today to find out how we can help you find relief, or to find out how we can return you to a life free of pain. And if you want to read more about us and about what we do, you can do so on our blog; it’s filled with interesting insight and articles that have been curated for you.