When our Centerville foot doctors at Sunshein Podiatry recommend orthotic correction to a patient, usually one of the first questions they have is about durability. It makes sense, of course. After all, getting a set of medical devices is a little more involved than simply buying some gel insoles off the rack at the pharmacy. You’ll need to make an appointment for a foot exam, have a mold taken, and come back to our office in a few weeks later to pick up your custom orthotics and make final adjustments. If you’re going to put in all that effort, and potentially pay a little bit more, you want to make sure your orthotics not only work great, but also last you a good long time!
Well! We have great news on that front.
How Long Will My Custom Orthotics Last?
Keep in mind: they aren’t indestructible. They'll wear out eventually, or you may even outgrow them if your activities or body mechanics change enough over time. However, compared to the cheap, flimsy insoles you can buy over-the-counter—which usually wear out after a couple of months—almost all the custom orthotics we design specifically for your needs will serve you well for at least a year, and typically more like 3–5 years, on average. We’ve seen some go even a lot longer than that!
The two main differences with medical orthotics involve the quality of the materials, as well as the tailoring to the individual. In addition to being more structurally durable overall, custom orthotics handle forces more efficiently since they fit your feet exactly, rather than approximately.
So, how many years will you get out of your specific pair of orthotics? It depends on factors such as:
- Material construction. Rigid and semi-rigid orthotics made from materials such plastic or graphite tend to last longer than soft orthotics made from materials like silicone or cork.
- Your weight. Additional weight puts more strain on orthotics, causing them to wear out a little faster.
- How you use them. If you enjoy a lot of vigorous, high-impact activities, you'll need to upgrade those orthotics more frequently. But, you should still be as active as you want to be—that’s the whole point of wearing orthotics in the first place.
- How often you wear them. We typically recommend using your orthotics every day, all the time. However, some people may choose to get multiple pairs, or pairs for different types of shoes, or shoes only worn for specific activities. By rotating orthotic inserts, you can increase their lifespan.
- How life treats you. Chances are, the way you walk at age 70 isn’t going to be the same as the way you walked at age 40. Your feet won’t even be exactly the same shape and size, as they continue to grow and flatten as you get older. So a pair of orthotics that fits you perfectly now won’t necessarily fit you perfectly for the rest of your life.
How Will I Know When It’s Time to Update My Orthotics?
Acting quickly to repair, refurbish, or replace your orthotics when they're no longer effective is important to avoid another frustrating round of foot and ankle pain.
At Sunshein Podiatry, our experienced medical team strives to make this process as easy as possible for you, which is why we strongly recommend you come see us for an orthotics check-up appointment once a year after you receive your orthotics. We’ll examine your feet and orthotics, evaluate your walking gait, and talk to you about your activities, goals, and any symptoms you might be having. If we catch something in the early stages, we can usually tweak your orthotics to keep them in top shape long before they start to really wear down.
That said, there are a few other telltale signs that you might need new orthotics, or at least get your next check-up on the schedule:
- Return of pain (or new pain). Make no mistake: discomfort is always a sign that something is wrong. You may need new orthotics, or you may need an additional or a different form of treatment.
- Signs of damage. A few scuffs or scratches are probably fine. Cracks, creases, and other signs of structural deterioration are not.
- Lifestyle changes. Significant events or transformations that occur after you first get your orthotics can cause you to need new ones. Examples include gaining or losing a lot of weight, pregnancy, recent knee surgery, and other notable changes.
- Tread wear. Every now and then, check the soles of an older pair of shoes. If you notice uneven or unusual wear patterns, it probably means your orthotics aren’t balancing correctly.
In one month, you could be lacing up your running shoes without that familiar dread. Three months from now, you might be planning that hiking trip you've been putting off for years. Six months from now, you'll be the one telling friends they need to stop suffering and get help. But only if you take the first step today and make an investment in custom orthotics that will benefit you for years to come.