Key Takeaways:
A custom orthotics fitting at Wilks Advanced Foot Care starts with a hands-on exam and gait evaluation, moves to taking a precise image of each foot, and ends with a dispensing visit where Dr. Jason Wilks checks the fit inside your shoes. A gradual break-in period helps your body adjust. Well-cared-for devices typically last several years.
If you’re done with store-bought insoles and ready for a more effective specialized solution in orthotic devices, naturally, there are a lot of questions. How many appointments does it take? Does any part of the process hurt? How long will a custom pair last once you have it?
For a prescription insert you’ll wear nearly every waking hour, those are fair things to ask.
Dr. Wilks has spent more than 25 years fitting Douglas County patients with medical custom orthotics at our family-owned Roseburg practice. His process has one simple goal: design the right device that matches your feet, your shoes, and the way you actually spend your day.
Table of Contents
What Happens During a Custom Orthotics Fitting?
Most of our patients complete the process in two main visits. The first gathers information, and the second makes sure the finished devices perform the way they should.
Your Evaluation and Gait Assessment
The first visit focuses on why your feet hurt. Dr. Wilks examines your feet and ankles, checks joint motion and arch structure, and watches how you walk. He’ll also ask about your job, your activities, and the footwear you rely on most, so bring those shoes along. A mill worker on concrete, a teacher who stands all day, and a weekend hiker on the North Umpqua Trail each put different demands on their feet.
Capturing the Shape of Each Foot
If medical orthotics are right for your condition, Dr. Wilks captures a precise image of each foot. That impression, combined with his exam findings, becomes a prescription. It tells the lab how much arch support to build in, where to relieve pressure, and which materials to use.
Some devices are functional, designed to control faulty motion. Others are accommodative, built to cushion and offload sensitive areas, such as orthotics that protect diabetic feet from pressure sores.
The Dispensing Visit
When your orthotics arrive, you’ll return to our office to try them on. Dr. Wilks checks how they sit in your shoes, watches you walk in them, and looks for any spot that presses or rubs. Minor tweaks can often be made on the spot. We’ll also help you find footwear with enough depth and a removable insole to properly hold your new devices.
How Do You Break In New Orthotics?
Your feet and legs need time to adjust to a new position. A typical approach is to wear the orthotics for an hour or two on the first day. Then add time gradually over the next week or two until you’re comfortable wearing them all day. Dr. Wilks will give you a schedule best suited to your condition.
Mild arch or leg fatigue during that stretch is normal—however, blisters, sharp pain, or new numbness are not, and they’re worth a call to our office. If you have diabetes or neuropathy, check your feet daily for redness during break-in, since reduced sensation can hide a rubbing spot.
How Long Do Custom Orthotics Last?
With proper care, many prescription orthotics last for several years. The American Podiatric Medical Association notes that prescription devices are made from high-quality materials meant to last many years, far longer than store-bought inserts.
Not every part ages at the same rate, though. The supportive shell usually outlasts the top cover, which compresses and wears with daily use. Your body weight, activity level, and daily wear time all affect the timeline.
Children are the exception to the multiyear rule. Growing feet outpace a pair of orthotics quickly, which is one reason a yearly check—such as a back-to-school foot exam—is worth scheduling.
A few simple habits protect your investment:
- Keep them away from heat. Car dashboards, clothes dryers, and heater vents can warp the materials.
- Let them air dry. Pull them out of sweaty shoes overnight so moisture escapes.
- Clean them gently. Wipe the top cover with a damp cloth and mild soap rather than soaking or machine washing it.
- Bring them to follow-up visits. Dr. Wilks will check for wear and talk through your orthotic and bracing options if your needs change.
Wilks Advanced Foot Care also backs its custom orthotics with a six-month satisfaction guarantee.
When Will You Know It's Time for New Orthotics?
Medical insoles rarely fail all at once. Watch for these changes to know when it’s time to upgrade your inserts:
- Cracks, flattening, or a shell that no longer holds its shape.
- A top cover that’s worn through, peeling, or packed down.
- The pain your orthotics originally relieved starting to return.
- A significant change in weight, a pregnancy, a new diagnosis, or foot surgery.
- A growth spurt or a change in shoe size for your child.
Don’t let foot discomfort keep you from the active lifestyle you love. At Wilks Advanced Podiatry, we’re happy to answer all your questions about custom orthotics to protect your health and investment.