Wheeled Shoes Raise Safety Concerns, Say Chiropractors

[Guest guest]

Wheeled Shoes Raise Safety Concerns, Say Chiropractors

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=65333

With the popularity of wheeled shoes on the rise, doctors of

chiropractic are expressing concerns about safety, both for the

children who use them and others who must dodge children skating in

crowded shopping centers and parks.

The shoes, most recognized by the dominant brand name, Heelys®,

resemble normal sneakers but have removable wheels in the heels.

Although parents have purchased more than 4 million pairs of the

popular shoes, some malls and schools have banned Heelys® due to

safety concerns.

" Parents should be concerned about Heelys® and other wheeled

sneakers because of the potential for head, wrist, elbow and ankle

injuries due to falls, as well as the possibility of injuries due to

altered gait patterns, " says Dr. Conway, a member of the

American Chiropractic Association from Athens, Wis. " When wearing

the shoes on a surface that isn't skatable, children must walk on

their toes. This altered gait forces their posture into unnatural

positions, and if worn regularly for walking, this could potentially

cause strain on growing bodies, especially in the foot, ankle and

lower back. "

Conversely, when skating in the shoes, children are forced to put

their weight on their heels. By doing so, they can easily lose their

balance, putting them at a higher risk for falls and resulting

injuries to the back of the head, elbows and wrists. Because many

children consider Heelys® to be shoes rather than athletic gear,

they fail to wear the proper safety equipment -- which can be

especially dangerous when children fall on slick tile or cement

surfaces.

The American Chiropractic Association offers the following safety

tips when wearing Heelys® and other brands of wheeled shoes:

-- Always wear the proper safety equipment including helmets, wrist

guards and protective pads.

-- Use the shoes for recreation only -- not for regular wear -- and

always remove the wheels when walking in the sneakers.

-- Do not allow children to wear the shoes in crowded malls, near

busy streets or other areas where collisions with other pedestrians -

- or worse yet, automobiles - could occur. Urge children to be aware

of their surroundings and mindful of fellow pedestrians.

-- Remind children to be aware of how their bodies feel. Pain is the

first sign of a problem.

-- If an injury does occur, remember RICE - rest, ice, compression,

and elevation. Ice the injury for 10 to 15 minutes, then remove the

ice for about an hour and reapply. Using ice will help reduce the

pain and inflammation.

[Guest guest]

Heeleys make me nervous. I am glad I am not the only one that noticed.