How to patch a hole in my orthotics?

Factual Questions
1

I wear custom-made orthotics to help with my plantar fasciitis and other general foot pains. They work pretty well.

I got this pair in December and I noticed a few days ago that I’d worn a hole through one (and almost through the other) at the same place, just below the smaller toes on each foot. I’d rather patch the hole if I can rather than go to the podiatrist and have a new pair made - my insurance covers most of the cost, but it’s still $60 that I don’t want to spend if I don’t have to.

Anyone know of any kits/devices/whatsits out there that would do the trick, or do I just need to shell out for a new pair?

2

I don’t think you can; the uneven surface of a patch would defeat the purpose of a custom orthotic. Also, four months is a horribly short time to wear a hole in one of those things; they should last a year or two at least. I know $60 is a lot of money when you’re strapped for cash, but a couple hundred bucks for feet that don’t hurt constantly is a bargain. Get new, better orthotics.

3

Best way is to put a new shoe liner in over the top, like a liner from an old pair of shoes or a cheap shops 1mm thick liner.

Your othotics will then last for years when you put a liner above them.

4

I’m familiar with two types - a relatively rigid hard plastic type about as flexible as a hard plastic spoon (the big thick kind) - and the sort of combination type which has various layers.

I totally agree with your suggestion for that combination type - you probably can also find products at target and such (in the area with Dr Scholls and stuff) that you could cobble together (pun intended) to fix what you need.

I haven’t done this with custom orthotics themselves, but have done it with OTC type inserts.

5

Bondo?

6

You can most certainly patch the hole. If they are like the custom orthotics I’ve had, the actual insert is a hard plastic, right? Then, in theory, you should be able to get an epoxy to patch it with. You may need to drill a few holes around the hole to give the patch something to hold to, and it may take a bit of research to find the best material to use, but I don’t see why you can’t patch it.

My bigger concern would be why it is worn and where else has material been worn away, thus changing the overall shape of the insert? After wearing out is such a short time, you may want to take it back to your doctor and see if he can help. When I got mine, I believe I was told they had a lifetime guarantee (they cost $350 in 2000 dollars).

I wore them for 3 years or so, swapping them into new shoes as needed. Then, I saw an infomercial for “Walk Fit” brand inserts on TV one night for less than a nickel on the dollar for what I was paid for the custom inserts. I bought a couple of pair and have been buying them ever since. I haven’t tried the Platinum series, yet. When I first got the Walk Fit, I thought they were equivalent to the custom ones. Now, it’s been so long since I used the custom ones, I couldn’t say.