Parents: Avoid Kids' Foot Problems With the Right Shoes

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Parents: Avoid Kids' Foot Problems With the Right Shoes

http://www.footphysicians.com/kids/backtoschool.htm

Before you head to the store to buy your kids shoes, follow these

helpful guidelines to prevent or minimize foot problems from poorly

fitting or worn out shoes.

If the Shoe Fits…

Your child's feet can grow up to two sizes in six months, so you

need to account for growth when buying shoes. That doesn't mean you

should buy shoes that are too big—oversized shoes cause the foot to

slide forward, putting excessive pressure on the toes. A good fit is

about a finger's width from the end of the shoe to the tip of the

big toe.

Tight shoes can cause blisters, corns and calluses on your child's

toes, blisters on the back of the heels or worse, ingrown nails,

which can become infected. Signs of infection from ingrown nails

include pain, redness or fluid draining from the area. If you notice

any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with a foot and ankle

surgeon,

who can perform a simple, safe in-office procedure to remove the

nail.

Check Those Shoes!

Shoes lose their shock absorption over time, so inspect new and old

shoes for proper cushioning and arch support. Replace any shoes with

wear and tear around the edges of the sole. When buying shoes, check

to see that the toe box flexes easily and the shoe doesn't bend in

the middle of the sole.

Worn-out shoes elevate the risk for heel pain, Achilles tendonitis

and even ankle sprains and stress fractures.

Children With Flat Feet

Children with flat feet need shoes with a wide toe box, maximum arch

support and shock absorption. The best shoes to buy are oxford, lace-

up shoes that have enough depth for an orthotic insert, if

necessary.