Like of all of our posessions, our foot orthoses and braces need to be maintained on a regular basis. It is a rather simple process and with regular inspection small imperfections can be caught and repaired before they become big problems. Taking care of your device will help it to last longer and perform better. Here are some things that you can do:
- Look over your device everytime you use it for any cracks, tears or imperfections. If you see anything unusual, call your provider for an appointment. Often small defects can be repaired easily. Larger defects may require the fabrication of a new brace.
- Plastic orthoses may be cleaned by wiping them inside and out with a damp soapy cloth. Make sure all of the soap is wiped out of the orthosis. Dry with a towel.
- Do not place orthosis near a heat source - anything that is too hot for your hands is too hot for the orthosis.
- If you have squeaking of your brace or foot orthosis inside of your shoe, a small amount of baby powder inside the shoe may stop the noise.
- If you have metal joints on your brace, follow the specific instructions from your provider for care of the joints. Some joints require lubrication. All joints should be kept clean and dry.
For more specific information check the Use & Wear page on this site.
