How Often Should You Replace Orthotic Insoles?

If you own a pair of orthotics, you know how amazing they can be for correcting your posture, keeping you in alignment, and making sure that you do not experience any more foot pain that plagued you in the past. They can even correct back and knee problems.

There are so many reasons to love a pair of custom orthotics, but one thing to consider is how often you should replace them. While custom orthotics can last a long time while still being effective, they are not meant to last forever.

This means that at some point, you will need to replace them to still the benefits from them that you desire. But how often should you replace orthotic insoles? Let’s take a closer look at when you should replace your custom orthotics to make sure they last a long time.

The way that you use the orthotics and how much you wear them out will often determine when it is time to get them replaced. Each person is different.

Some people will be able to wear them for the full five years, while others may need to replace the orthotic after just a few years. Each person will wear out the orthotic differently.

You will need to take a look at your orthotic and then determine when it is time to do a replacement to keep getting the benefits that you desire. Some of the things to look for when it is time to replace your custom orthotic include

Increasing Pain

• If you start to notice that your back, ankle, or foot pain is returning, then this is a sign that the orthotic is no longer working and you need a new one. The orthotic was designed to give you support for a long time, but it can wear down and not be as effective as it was in the beginning.

• You will know this has happened when you experience more pain. You should be able to wear the orthotic and not have pain while jumping, jogging, or standing.

• Another sign that it is time to replace your orthotics is corns or calluses returning or worsening. If these signs start to show up, it is time to replace your orthotics with a new one.

Replacing Orthotics Based On Age

• You can also take a look at how long you have owned the custom orthotics. Most of these orthotics will last between one to five years.

• If the orthotic is made out of hard plastic to provide support, then the replacement will be every three to five years. But if they are made them out of foam or soft plastic, you may need to replace them each year.

Overused Orthotics Should Be Replaced

• The amount of time that you wear the orthotic can determine when it needs to be replaced as well. If you just wear them for support during athletic events, then you will find that they will likely last longer compared to wearing them all day every day at work.

• Activities like jogging and running or high-impact spots often will also wear out the orthotics compared to just wearing them around the office at work. Think about how much you use the orthotics and the types of activities that you do with them when deciding when is best to replace them.

Wear And Damage

• One of the signs you need new orthotics is if there is major wear and tear. Pull the orthotics out of your shoes and take a look at them. How do they look?

• Do they look nice and new still or do you notice that they are broken, the soles are wearing thin, and a lot of cracks? If the inserts are looking pretty worn down and thin, then it is time for you to go visit your doctor and get a better pair.

Uneven Wear On Your Shoes

• You can take a look at the bottom of your shoes to help you determine whether it is time to get a new pair of orthotics. Keep in mind that your orthotics are supposed to be in place to correct any unusual deformities in the feet. This can include the alignment of the body.

• Look at the shoes. If you see that there are some signs of uneven wear on the shoes, this is a sign that the orthotics are not doing the job as well as they did in the past. You need to get a new pair of orthotics before the pain starts to come back and cause a good deal of pain and other issues.

Changes In Lifestyle

• If you are making drastic changes in your lifestyle, it is time to update your custom orthotics and ensure that they can keep up with all the new work you will be doing. For example, maybe you are taking on a more physically active job, you just had major knee surgery, or you are pregnant.

Each of these will have different demands on the body and you will need a new custom orthotic to help handle some of these changes and keep your feet strong and healthy. Your doctor will be able to help you create a new custom orthotic that will handle all of these big life changes so you don’t have foot pain.