Do Orthotics Make Sense for Kids Shoes?

05 Dec Do Orthotics Make Sense for Kids Shoes?

Custom Orthotics for Children’s Shoes?

Children can suffer from a range of foot problems. Can custom orthotics help them?

Early Foot Troubles

It can often be difficult to know if a child’s feet are developing normally, or if your child is walking the right way for their age. In their first few years of life, children’s feet are flexible and resilient. Their feet are constantly developing, and they will literally outgrow most foot problems.

If they don’t, it’s time to talk to a podiatrist who specializes in children’s foot care. You should always contact a foot care specialist if your child is experiencing pain, swelling, a refusal to walk or other serious signs of foot trouble.

How Custom Orthotics Can Help Children

What if your child’s foot problem isn’t something they can outgrow? There are times when you should consider custom orthotics as part of your child’s treatment.

Flat Feet

If your child is 8 years old and still has flat feet, the condition is probably permanent. Although it can’t be cured, your child can learn to live with it by using the right footwear and custom orthotics.

Orthotics can help alleviate pain, help your child walk straighter and avoid the long-term complications of flat feet. Many children with flat feet are reluctant to play sports because their feet hurt when they do. With custom orthotics, they’ll be more willing to participate in sports and other activities.

Sever’s Disease

This is the medical term for what we call “growing pains.” It’s caused by a strain of the Achilles tendon. Sever’s disease is common in children between the ages of 8 and 14. If your child is having foot-related growing pains, consider custom orthotics to ease the strain on the Achilles tendon.

Sports-Related Injuries

Children who are active in sports might find custom orthotics helpful. They can help support and protect the feet during high-impact activities. If your children play football, basketball, soccer or other sports that put a lot of strain on their ligaments, talk to your child’s podiatrist about custom orthotics.

Children can develop sports-related injuries that include:

• Achilles Tendonitis.
• Ankle sprains.
• Turf toe.
• Plantar fasciitis.

When they do, custom orthotics can be an important part of their treatment and rehabilitation.

Alternative Treatments

Children’s feet grow quickly. They will probably outgrow the orthotics in a year or two. That’s something else to take into account when you get orthotics for them.

If your child needs the orthotics for a serious foot problem like flat feet or Achilles tendonitis, custom orthotics are probably necessary until the problem is corrected. If your child has a less serious foot problem, talk to your podiatrist about alternative treatments that can help you get good results. These might include:

• Supportive shoes.
• Over-the-counter orthotics.
• Stretching exercises.
• Physical therapy.

We Help Children Have Happy Feet

If you have any questions about how your child’s feet are developing, contact Shuman Podiatry & Sports Medicine. Our Loudoun County clinic welcomes patients of all ages and is especially warm and friendly to our youngest visitors. Contact us today to get them started on a lifetime of healthy, happy feet.