Insoles – Information for patients and carers

Orthotics department

What are they?

Insoles or functional foot orthoses are inserts that are put inside your shoes to influence and improve the function of your foot. They are designed to reduce or absorb pressure or alter how hard and long the muscles in your legs and feet work.

There are two main types:

Functional foot orthoses

These are used to reduce strain on an injury to help it heal and ease your pain.

Accommodative insole

These are cushioned to ease pressure from a particular area on the foot. This could be from a deformity caused by things like arthritis, or an area of high pressure which could lead to corns or calluses, or because sensation is reduced leading to possible neuropathy.

The insole will form one part of a prescribed care plan to help your condition improve, along with home exercises, footwear advice and possible lifestyle changes.

Insoles can have an effect on your whole body and so you must look after them all the time.

What to expect when first wearing your insoles:

• Less room in your shoes. This can be helped by removing the original liner or changing footwear.
• Possible aching in your feet, legs, upper thighs or lower back. This should only be a mild pain.
• The feeling of a lump in the arch of your foot.
• A feeling of walking on the outside of your foot.

These feelings should wear off quickly if you wear the insoles in gradually. By following the wear in advice, most problems can be avoided, resulting in you getting the best from your insoles as quickly as possible.

Do not wear your insoles for sport or any rigorous physical activity like long shopping trips, until the wearing plan has been completed and you are totally comfortable with them.

Wear your insoles for 30 minutes on the first day, then 60 minutes on the second day, increasing the wear by up to 30 minutes each day, until you have built up to wearing the insoles all day.

It is normal to feel some strain or aching in your feet, knees, hips or lower back. If this becomes too painful remove the insoles until the discomfort goes away and then try your orthoses again starting the wearing plan from the beginning.

Caution

After a few weeks you should be wearing your insoles for most of the day, when you are on your feet for prolonged periods or doing any significant amount of walking.

We recommend that insoles should be worn for a minimum of 7 hours per day, 7 days per week.

• If you are wearing your insoles during sporting activity you should build up your tolerance walking before any sports are tried.
• If you have any prolonged increase in pain, persistent pressure marks which lasts for 30 minutes after removing the insoles or rubs, remove the insoles and contact the department for a review.

Care of the insoles/orthoses

• They should be cleaned by wiping them down with a damp sponge with gentle soap and air dried.
• They should not be placed fully in water or put on a direct heat source such as a radiator to dry.
• It is best to remove your insole from footwear overnight to air.

Reviews, refurbishments and replacements

Your Orthotist may arrange a review appointment after you receive your insoles so they can be checked. Please bring your insoles to any review appointments, even if they are no longer worn due to pain, damage or no longer fit. This way the Orthotist can check the fit of the insoles and adjust or repair them if necessary.

You are entitled to one pair of insoles at any one time.

Our opening hours are: Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 4.00pm and you can contact us on 01274 082929

You can find us at: Orthotics Department, Level 6, West Riding House, 41 Cheapside, Bradford, BD1 2NB Contact us on 01274 082929