Featured Zones

Children's Shoes
by: Johnie Test
Have been checking to see if your child has the right size of shoes?

Too tight of shoes can lead to all those things we hate on our own toes: hammer toe, bunions, corns,etc. Too loose of shoe and the child can loose their footing and be more prone to falling and having injuries. The top tips from the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society are: Most children have one foot larger than the other, so always measure both feet. Do not expect the child to "break in" the shoes. Children's shoes should feel comfortable immediately. Children should wear shoes shaped like their foot, with plenty of room to wiggle their toes and the shoe should provide enough room for the foot to grow. Allow an adult's thumb's width of room from the end of the longest toe to the end of the shoe. The heel of the shoe should fit well and not slide. We all know how the rubs on the ankle feel. Ouch! The sole should protect the foot from injury and provide cushioning. I am a fan of the traditional white child's shoe for infants, but the AOFAS only dictates that the shoe should be made out of material that gives and breathes, such as leather.