If you have difficulty walking in your shoes or experience pain when running or standing, your podiatrist may prescribe custom orthotics to improve your comfort. These devices are placed inside shoes to ensure you experience less pain and strain when in motion. Over time, however, they may lose their efficiency. Here are three signs that it’s time to replace your orthotics.

Is It Time to Replace Your Orthotics?

1. You Have Lifestyle Changes

Sometimes it’s not so much the orthotic itself that changes, but your own lifestyle. If you’re pregnant, for example, your feet may become wider, and your usual orthotics may not fit as comfortably. If you suffer an injury, the same problem might occur. Replacing them is the best way to ensure that you can continue to move around comfortably.

2. You Use Them Regularly

The more that you wear your custom orthotics, the more likely they are to develop wear and tear and lose their integrity over time. While everyday walking isn’t likely to break down your orthotics, jogging every morning and wearing them through the remainder of the day can cause premature failure. A general rule of thumb is to plan on more frequent replacement if you wear them while exercising.

3. You Notice Aesthetic Changes

Often, you can tell that your orthotics are no longer in the same shape that they once were by the way that they look. The soles, which should normally be supportive, may thin out with time. That reduces their efficiency and may cause you to feel strain when you walk or run. The material may even develop cracks or other structural deficiencies that affect the orthotics’ ability to keep you comfortable. If they don’t work properly, it’s time to replace them. 
 

If you seek a reliable podiatrist to prescribe custom orthotics, turn to the team at St. Peters Foot & Ankle in St. Peters, MO. Proudly serving patients throughout St. Charles County, the doctor treats everything from sprained ankles to bunions. Visit the website for more information, or call (636) 720-0190 to schedule an appointment.