Prescription footwear
This information is is for people who have been prescribed footwear.
Can my footwear be worn by anybody else?
No, your footwear has been prescribed for you and should not be worn by anyone else.
How should I care for my feet?
You should do the following on a daily basis:
- Inspect all parts of your foot that come into contact with the footwear. Check for red marks, abrasions, bruising or wounds. Use a mirror or ask someone for help if necessary.
- If you are experiencing discomfort or the skin is markedly red or broken, please contact the orthotics department immediately for advice.
- Always check your footwear for stones or debris before putting them on.
- Wear good quality, well fitting, and preferably seamless socks.
If you have any concerns regarding your footwear, please
contact the Orthotics department to seek advice or request a review appointment.
How long should I wear my footwear?
This will be individual to each patient. Please follow the instructions given by your orthotist written in the following table.
| Date | Length of time footwear should be worn |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | 20 mins indoors, check skin. Repeat later in day if no issues. |
| Day 2 | Up to an hour indoors, check skin. Repeat later in day if no issues. |
| Day 3 | Wear for up to 2 hours indoors, skin check hourly. |
| Day 4 | Wear up to 4 hours indoors, skin check hourly. |
| Day 5 | Wear for a short walk outdoors, and check feet on return. |
Providing there have been no issues upon checking your feet, you can start to increase consistent wear time of your shoes
and gradually increase activity day by day.
Is it my responsibility to maintain my footwear?
It is your responsibility to ensure your footwear is well
maintained. If your footwear has adaptations to the sole, the orthotics department will repair your footwear when required.
Your orthotist will advise you whether you’re entitled to have your footwear repaired by the Orthotics Department.
If you lose/misplace or throw away your footwear, you will be charged the cost to replace it, as per current Trust policy.