Insoles for Children – Wear and Care Information

Your child has been provided with Orthotic Insoles by either the Orthotics or Podiatry service.

Please follow the instructions given at their clinical appointment and use the enclosed information for further reference.

Why has my child been provided with insoles?

There are a number of reasons why insoles may be prescribed.

The main purpose of an Orthotic insole is to offer support to the foot structures and to rebalance the foot to prevent unwanted symptoms.

Some symptoms that may improve with use of an insole include:

• Lower limb pain                               
• Unwanted pressure or callus development 
• Poor balance and ankle stability
• Poor foot posture

The prescribed insoles have been provided to meet their clinical needs and have been customised (adapted) by their Clinician to treat their presenting symptoms. Only your child should use their insoles.

How often should my child wear their insoles?

When provided with their prescribed insoles, it is important for your child to increase their wear time gradually.

As their prescribed insoles may apply corrective forces and will attempt to rebalance the structures of the foot, it is important to adjust to these slowly and to monitor any changes, improvement or deterioration of symptoms. The insoles provided may change your child’s foot posture and walking pattern.

During your child’s appointment, the Orthotist or Podiatrist will have provided advice about wearing insoles, however we would generally suggest for your child to start wearing their prescribed insoles for approximately 30 minutes on Day One, increasing this period of time by approximately 30 minutes per day

Once your child is able to wear their insoles for five hours without any problems, they may start to wear them all the time.  

What should I expect when my child first starts to wear insoles?

The first time your child wears their insoles they may feel strange or a little uncomfortable, just like wearing a new pair of shoes. Do not be surprised if they feel a little discomfort in their legs during the early stages of wear.  Muscles will be adapting to new ways of working and this should gradually settle with time.

If there is a lasting discomfort that does not settle with time, they can reduce the amount of time they are wearing their Orthotic insoles and if this discomfort does not settle after 3-4 weeks you should contact the Orthotic department to request a review appointment.  

What shoes should my child wear with their insoles?

Athough insoles will offer support, they will only be fully effective if they are used with supportive/suitable footwear.  When purchasing footwear it is important to focus on the following characteristics:

• Footwear with a firm heel structure
• Footwear with a deep upper structure
• Footwear with a removable insole
• Footwear with a wide sole
• Footwear with a good lace or Velcro fastening

How should I care for my child’s insoles?

Insoles are very easy to care for.

By wiping your child’s insoles with a damp cloth or wipe, this will prevent bacteria building up and the materials becoming worn too quickly.

How often will my child’s prescription be reviewed?

The insole provision will not be reviewed routinely by their clinician however, we advise that you contact to arrange a review appointment for them if the following applies:

• Six months after supply
• Your child’s feet have grown by one shoe size
• You feel their insoles have worn and are no longer functioning effectively
• Their symptoms have returned
• You are concerned about a change in their condition

How do I contact the service?

• Orthotics Service-01429 522 471

• Podiatry Biomechanics Department, Lawson Street Health Centre, Stockton  –  01429 522471

• Musculoskeletal Department, One Life, Hartlepool 01429 522471

• Musculoskeletal Department, Lawson Street Health Centre, Stockton 01429 522471

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

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Telephone: 01642 624719

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