Find the right shoes
Buying the right shoes is vital
It’s that time of year again... school’s out and parents are getting organised for a new year ahead.
Buying a new pair of school shoes is a top priority for many parents.
Challenges arise when parents, eager to ensure that their children’s feet are healthy, have to deal with their children’s desires to wear shoes that are fashionable.
Allowing your teenager to understand why particular shoe styles may be damaging to their feet will make them more willing to compromise and choose fashion shoes that are better for their feet.
Points to consider when selecting shoes:
Heel Height: The height of the heel should neither be too flat nor too high. A heel height of about 2cm or so is ideal.
Area of Heel: Ensure that the heel is broad and has a large surface area. Wearing a heel that has a small surface area increases the likelihood of injury.
Shape of Toe Box: Ensure that the toe box is round and allows sufficient room for the toes to move. Pointed shoes squeeze toes together and put unnecessary pressure on the front of the foot. Regular use can cause permanent joint deformities and skin lesions, including blisters and callouses, to occur.
Material / Fabric of Shoe: Leather is a preferred option for a school shoe since it is breathable, conforms to the shape of the foot and is water resistant. Some leather shoes have a lower percentage of leather in the outer material than others. The higher the percentage of the leather, the better the quality of the shoe. Also check that the outer sole has a good grip.
Support: Growing feet require support. Ensure that the school shoe has straps, buckles, laces or zips. If a slip on shoe is worn, make sure it comes high up on the foot. Shoes that lack support put more stress on the lower limbs since the little muscles in the feet have to work harder to achieve stability.
Size: Children’s feet will grow at different rates. Growth spurts can occur, meaning that a child’s feet may go up a half or even a full size within a particular academic year. Because of this, it is a good idea to check that your child’s shoes fit properly at the start of every term. It is important that shoes are not too small in length or too tight.
When trying on a new pair of shoes, make sure there is a 1cm gap between the top of the shoe and the longest toe.
PE/ Sports Shoes: Traditional gym shoes are not good for a child’s feet since they lack support and encourage feet to sweat. Since, however, many schools have strict uniform policies; it’s not always easy to get your child into a good quality sports shoe. If traditional gym shoes have to be worn, get your child to wear a good quality pair of sport socks with them. Opt for lacing up gym shoes instead of slip on ones. Younger children should be taught to tie laces properly as early as possible. Velcro fasten shoes are a temporary option whilst younger children learn to develop this skill. Teenagers, who are required to do a lot of running or train at a more advanced level, should not use traditional gym shoes. Proper sports shoes designed specifically for the activity they are doing, must be worn. Injuries frequently occur in individuals who exercise in footwear which is inappropriate. Walking style varies from toddlerhood to late adulthood and the foot itself varies in shape at different stages of development. Toddlers typically ‘ cruise’ – walking on tip toes, holding on to objects to support them as they manoeuvre around a room. Since their feet are not yet fully developed, their foot shape typically takes on a triangular appearance. As teenagers progress through puberty, they may seem to have an ‘ abnormal’ gait ( walking style). Girls often appear to be knock- kneed, many young people seem to have a ‘ gangly’ gait and often one limb will grow at a faster rate than the other. Problems with bone development can be caused by a condition called osteochondritis. This can create pain in the lower limbs and create anxiety. Excessive movement in young feet can put stress on soft tissues, contributing to sprains and strains, achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis. Eventually, however, as growth continues, things tend to even out and symptoms settle down. Get the shoes right, educate your child about foot health and get them to stretch before and after exercise. If problems arise, seek advice from an MSK ( musculoskeletal) specialist podiatrist. For more information and to contact Mags, e- mail: info@ podiatrysolutions.co.uk or call 07900948814. Mags is an MSK Podiatrist at Podiatry Solutions – Ayr and Glasgow. www.podiatrysolutions.co.uk