Follow-Up and Maintenance
Follow-up as a cycle
Follow-up confirms that the device still meets the plan. Set intervals based on risk: sooner for neuropathy, diabetes, vascular disease, fragile skin, new device, or changed activity; longer for stable, low-risk patients. At each visit, ask about pain, function, wear time, and falls. Inspect skin, both feet, shoes, and the device for wear, fracture, compression, odor, or contamination. Reassess fit after weight change, edema, surgery, or new footwear. Adjust, repair, or replace as needed, document the change, and communicate with the care team. Teach daily self-inspection and when to call.
Traps
Questions often test whether you schedule follow-up at all. Errors include relying only on pain scores, not inspecting the device, assuming a device lasts indefinitely, and missing persistent redness or new wounds. Do not over-adjust a device without reassessing the cause of discomfort.
Worked example
At a two-week check of a new orthosis, the patient reports improved comfort but has redness over the first metatarsal that persists after removal. Inspect the shoe, sock, and device, identify the pressure source, adjust or remake as indicated, and shorten the next interval.
Rule of thumb: new devices and high-risk feet need early, repeated checks; persistent redness is a finding, not a normal break-in sign.