Children’s orthopaedic footwear

What is orthopaedic footwear?

Orthopaedic footwear has been specifically designed with biomechanical benefit in mind, they offer more support than regular footwear, give the toes plenty of room to develop naturally, and can be a great solution for children that need a little more stability at the ankles or through the foot. Most often Orthopaedic footwear takes the form of a boot. Stability is increased by utilising additional structures inside the upper (the part of the boot or the shoe that covers your child's foot), by using stiff materials such as leather and carbon fibre, and sometimes by adding metal or carbon fibre shank into the sole unit.

What kind of issues can orthopaedic footwear help children with?

• Instability of the ankles

If your child trips and falls often, often rolls or ‘goes over on’ their ankles - it could be that they are suffering from some instability at the ankle joints. Using an orthopaedic boot that comes above the ankle could offer them enough support to reduce the frequency of falls.

• Delayed walking

Orthopaedic footwear is a common treatment pathway used for children with delayed walking to encourage them to begin their walking journey. The added support provided by these boots can be enough to encourage them to progress in their mobility.

• Hypermobility of the foot

If your child has a hypermobile foot, your orthotist may choose to use orthopaedic footwear to stabilise the many bones in their feet.

• Tiptoe walking

Orthopaedic footwear can also be used to encourage children who tiptoe to walk with their feet flat. These shoes act as a reminder when worn - they are slightly stiffer than store bought shoes, making them more difficult to overpower and reminding your child of their optimum foot positioning.

Benefits of orthopaedic footwear for children

What types of Orthopaedic footwear are available?

Orthopaedic footwear can come in many styles and colours. Most commonly your child will be recommended a boot - this is because boots offer the most support for those who need it. That being said, there are plenty of styles of shoes available - your orthotist will be able to show you suitable footwear at your child’s assessment appointment.

How long will my child’s orthopaedic footwear last?

This will vary greatly on how quickly your child is growing - smaller children tend to outgrow their shoes quicker than older children will. It also depends on your child's activity levels - more active children tend to wear out shoes more quickly. On average orthopaedic shoes tend to last between 6 months and a year - but the best way to know if your child needs new shoes is to visually identify this.

Signs of wear that indicate your child might need new footwear:

• If their toes are at the end of their footwear

As many of these shoes can be very sturdy it can be hard to press the shoe to establish where the toe is.The best way to check where the toes are in relation to the length of the shoe, is by removing the inlay from inside your child’s shoes and holding it against the sole of their foot to see how much room is left at the end of the inlay. You may even be able to see the impressions of toe marks in the inlay - this is another good way to establish how much room is in the end of the shoe.

• If the footwear has lost its structural integrity

A loss of structural integrity is a natural by-product of continued use of the footwear. If you've noticed that your child is able to overpower the shoe easily, and the leather is soft or has developed a crease where the leather has given way in a specific area due to repetitive bending, or if the footwear initially made a difference but this is no longer the case - these can all be indicators that the footwear needs replacing

• Excessive wear and tear

If the shoe has excessive wear, it will have reduced control and correction of the foot. Excessive wear can look like softened leather, excessive creasing in the upper, worn away heels or deep wear on the soles.

What will happen at my child’s assessment appointment?

At your child’s assessment appointment our orthotist will accurately assess your child’s condition to establish the correct footwear for your child’s needs. This assessment will involve discussing your child’s symptoms, lifestyle and goals. Their walking will be observed and a full range of motion plus muscle power tests undertaken. The orthotist will then take this opportunity to take any measurements they may need to order your child’s footwear.

What if my child is not suitable this type of footwear?

At Children’s Orthotics we are always aiming to give your child the device that best suits their individual needs. Your orthotist will use the assessment appointment as an opportunity to check whether Orthopaedic footwear is suitable for your child. If they feel that it’s not the right choice of orthotic intervention for them, your orthotist will make alternative suggestions of devices they think would be more in-keeping with your child’s needs and lifestyle. They will be able to explain their reasoning for this in the assessment appointment with you, and discuss any differences in pricings.

What will happen at my child’s fitting appointment?

Once their footwear is ready, your child will be booked in for a fitting appointment. At the fitting appointment our Orthotist will ensure the footwear fits your child properly, and is as comfortable as possible - they will also discuss how to wear-in their device properly. A few weeks after this fitting appointment, a review appointment will take place to check on your child’s progress with the footwear.

How do I arrange an assessment for orthopaedic footwear?

To get in touch or arrange an appointment, you can call us at 0330 088 3949 or email office@orthotics.co.uk.