Shoe Raises for Children

What is a children's shoe raise and why might it be needed?

If your child has a leg length discrepancy, a raised shoe on one side will help to balance out their leg lengths and reduce the strain put on their joints as a result of the difference in length. This raise can be either internal, external or, in some cases, a combination of both. Internal raises sit inside the shoe like an insole, and can be up to 1.5cm. There is no upper limit on the height of external raises - your orthotist will help your child determine the best height for them on an individual basis. External raises are incorporated into the sole of the shoe. You can combine both an internal and external raise to split the raise both inside and outside of the shoe, this minimises the external raise as much as possible.

The benefit of a shoe raise for Children?

Lots of people may have a small leg length discrepancy without ever realising it, in fact most people’s leg lengths are not exactly symmetrical - however, for those with a greater than average discrepancy - or what we call ‘symptomatic’ discrepancies their impact can be huge.

Leg length discrepancies can cause a wide range of issues, including a modified gait pattern, pain in the knees, groin, hips and lower back. Walking with a compensatory gait for a long time can also cause your child long term damage to their tendons, ligaments and joints.

A shoe raise can help to restore balance to your child’s body and even out their gait - this reduces the strain on their body and the risk of long term issues and will help to reduce the associated pains caused by uneven leg lengths.

What is a ‘Symptomatic’ discrepancy in Children?

A symptomatic discrepancy is a leg length discrepancy that causes pain and/or gait deviations regardless of the size.

Should all leg length discrepancies be addressed?

If your child has a leg length discrepancy that lies outside of normal ranges, but does not cause them any pain currently, it is still recommended to address this with a shoe raise. This is because without treatment the strain can have a cumulative effect that leads to long term damage. Leg length discrepancies that are painful and cause hindrance to walking should always be addressed, no matter the size.

What are shoe raises made from for Children?

Internal shoe raises can be made from a few different types of material, but mostly they are commonly made from EVA which is a type of firm foam. External shoe raises can also be made of several different materials, but the most common is a High Density Plastazote. is a light weight, yet durable material often used for soleing shoes.

What will a shoe raise for children look like?

Internal shoe raises look much like an insole - they can be flat, or with corrective properties such as an arch depending on your child's needs.

External shoe raises are integrated into the sole of the shoe. The sole unit is essentially sliced in half, separating the shoe and the tread, the raise is then inserted into the sliced area and then the tread is re-attached. External shoe raises are always planned to look as inconspicuous and purposeful as possible, with the utmost care put into selecting the best colour match and profile matching for the shoe.

What kind of shoes are suitable for raising?

For an internal raise the shoe must be deep enough to comfortably fit inside the shoe, alongside your child’s foot. A deep shoe like a trainer, or any style with a thick, removable inlay will be suitable to hold this sort of raise.

Selecting a suitable style for an external raise will mean looking for a shoe with a solid sole unit. Shoes with ‘air pockets’ or a honeycomb structure will not maintain their integrity during the raising process. If you’re in doubt, your orthotist will be able to make suggestions of suitable styles during your appointment.

Can I have my child’s shoe raised without an assessment appointment?

Under certain circumstances this can be arranged:

Only if all three of these criteria are met can your child have their shoe raised without an assessment appointment first.

If you’re interested in having a shoe raised without an appointment please contact us via email at office@childrensorthotics.co.uk

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 height for your child’s needs. If at this point they do not feel a shoe raise is appropriate for your child, they will suggest alternatives. 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 raise your child’s shoes or provide them an internal raise.

What will happen at my child’s fitting appointment?

Once their shoes are ready, your child will be booked in for a fitting appointment. At the fitting appointment our Orthotist will ensure the orthotic fits your child properly, and is as comfortable as possible - if necessary they might make some small adjustments in the clinic. Once your orthotist is happy with the way the device fits, they will discuss how to wear-in their new orthotics properly. A few weeks after this fitting appointment, a review appointment will take place to check on your child’s progress.

How Can I Arrange an Appointment with Children's Orthotics for an AFO?

The first step towards getting your child’s treatment underway is to contact us at Children’s orthotics to get booked in for an initial assessment appointment. The best way to do this is to book online here, or to call us on 0330 088 3949 to speak to one of our friendly customer service advisors.

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