01 Apr

Orthopaedic Footwear FAQ’s

Over recent years, we have seen an increase in demand for orthopaedic footwear. This incline reflects the rise in foot problems reported by young adults. Many experts believe that this is attributed to an upsurge in the number of people exercising as well as a rise in poorly fitted footwear. When prescribed orthopaedic footwear patients often have many questions, see below some of our most common FAQ’s regarding your prescriptive shoes. For more information, please contact marketingteam@steepergroup.com and we will put you in touch with a clinical expert.

Why have I been prescribed orthopaedic footwear?
There are different reasons why you may have been prescribed orthopaedic footwear. Some of these are:

To support or control unwanted foot and ankle motion
To accommodate excessive foot and ankle swelling
To accommodate irregular foot shapes or bony changes in your feet
To protect feet at risk of injury or pressure sores

All orthopaedic footwear is designed to accommodate your needs

When do I get my orthopaedic shoes?
Your orthotist will assess and discuss what available options there are to suit your needs. Once a treatment plan has been agreed, he or she will measure, take drafts and/or moulds of your feet. Depending on the complexity of the prescription, the shoes may need to be checked at an intermediate stage. Your orthotist will inform you of the process.

When do I wear my shoes?
Once you are used to your footwear, they should be used as much as possible.

How long should I wear them to get used to them?
We recommend you break your shoes in slowly by gradually increasing the time you use them for every day. Start with one hour a day increasing by half an hour or one hour daily. If your feet are at risk of developing pressure sores, your orthotist may advise you to break them in slower. Always check your feet for signs of pressure, blisters, cuts or anything unusual. You may get some red marks, but these should disappear after 15-20 minutes. Inspect your shoes regularly for any signs of unusual wear, damage or alien objects.

Why do my shoes look so bulky?
We do try to improve the design and style of our orthopaedic footwear regularly, but you have to remember that the shoes have been designed to fulfil your clinical needs.

How many shoes can I have?
If the footwear is found to be beneficial, once you are used to them, we will supply you with a second pair. These can be made to a different style and colour providing they fulfil the treatment needs.
Patients are entitled to a maximum of two pairs of shoes at one time, rather than every year. We will not replace the shoes unless they are beyond economical repair, they are unsafe and could cause problems or the orthotist decides they are no longer suitable to treat your condition.

Where can I get my shoes repaired?
Your orthopaedic footwear belongs to the NHS and therefore your hospital will send them to be repaired whenever needed. Please check with your hospital when they can be dropped in and collected. Please make sure that your shoes are clean and clearly labelled otherwise they may not be accepted.

Care of your Footwear:
It is your responsibility to check and make sure that your footwear is maintained properly and fit for purpose. Check the inside of your shoes regularly to make sure the liner is still intact and to make sure there are no loose items inside. Remove the insoles also to make sure the base of the shoe is still in good working order. If your shoes get wet, please remove the insoles and let them dry naturally at room temperature. Newspaper and shoe trees can be used if needed to maintain the shape.

Leather: Excess dirt should be scraped off with a blunt knife or brushed off with a soft bristle brush. Leather can be gently washed with water and a clean cloth. DO NOT soak or immerse in water. Polish with a leather conditioner or wax if required.
Suede/Nubuck: Gently brush away any dirt with a soft bristle brush. DO NOT soak or immerse in water. Any stains can be removed using a proprietary solvent. Ideally, spray your footwear with a suede/nubuck protector before you first wear them.
Neoprene: Gently brush away and dirt with a soft bristle brush. Neoprene can be gently washed with water and a clean cloth. DO NOT SOAK or immerse in water.

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Orthopaedic Footwear FAQ’s

Steeper Group - Our Insights