Kids frequently don’t voice their complaints about any foot issues they may experience. However, your child’s doctor may advise orthopedic shoes when the issue flares up.
But what are orthopedic shoes specifically, and what should you consider when making your first purchase?
Kids’ Orthopedic Shoes: What Are They?
To begin with, orthopedic shoes for kids are specially designed to provide support for the foot, ankle, and leg. Orthopedic footwear can aid in the treatment and prevention of certain conditions that your child may be experiencing, including overpronation, knock knees, rolled ankles, flat feet, etc.
If the right footwear is offered, children with flat feet or other similar conditions can walk and run more straightly and maintain better posture in general. Orthopedic shoes are designed with extra depth in the shoebox and additional padding to help those who have an abnormal gait.
A Buyer’s Guide to Orthopaedic Shoes for Kids
For the first time, it might be overwhelming to purchase orthopedic shoes for kids. To make sure that the process goes smoothly, you can adhere to the steps listed below.
1. Think About the Season
Consider the season you’re in and decide what kind of footwear to purchase.
In the winter, boots will be more useful for your child because their small feet need protection from the snow and rain. Furthermore, in subzero temperatures, tiny toes must be kept warm!
Similar to this, kids’ orthotic sandals are practical and fashionable if you’re getting ready for summer. As the weather warms up, your child’s feet need to be able to breathe.
2. Keep the Occasion in Mind
Do you need kids’ orthopedic shoes for a particular occasion, such as a sibling’s birthday party? Or do you prefer that they dress a little more casually for all-day play?
Purchase a pair of kids’ orthopedic shoes that you can dress up or down for any occasion in either case. It just goes to show that choosing orthopedic footwear for your kid needn’t mean giving up on style. Many orthopedic shoe brands still follow the most recent fashions.
3. Select an appealing design.
Let’s face it: just because you enjoy wearing a pair of shoes doesn’t guarantee that your child will feel the same way. For this reason, it’s crucial to seek their advice before purchasing any new orthopedic footwear for juniors, babies, or toddlers.
Remember to take color into account. According to studies, young kids favor specific colors over muted tones, such as blue, red, purple, and orange. It’s important to spend money on clothing that your child will enjoy wearing repeatedly.
4. Take into account the Materials
Consider how orthopedic shoes will perform for your children in addition to how they look and feel. Will they endure? Is it simple to keep them clean?
Leather, for example, can be cleaned with a single swipe of a cloth. They’re also extremely durable.
5. Compare Prices
To be clear, corrective shoes for toddlers, babies, or juniors can be quite expensive. You must, therefore, get what you pay for.
However, even though orthopedic shoes may be expensive, you must also think about the potential cost of not giving your child the shoes that will make their problems easier. You run the risk of making their symptoms—and overall condition—worse.
The benefit of investing in kids’ orthopedic shoes is that they will last for many seasons. Buy within your means, but remember that there are countless advantages for your child’s posture, feet, ankles, legs, and gait!
6. Verify that they fit correctly
kids’ orthopedic shoes work best when they fit properly. Because of this, make sure your kid tries on any shoes you’re both interested in purchasing.
Get your child to try on the shoe that appears to fit their feet according to the measurement you took. Make sure they put on the same kind of socks they plan to wear with their new shoes.
To find out how they feel, ask them to stand and move around in the shoes. Make sure the shoes fit from the start—avoid buying shoes that may or may not stretch over time.
Before allowing your child to wear the shoes, inspect the soles.
7. Allow space for growth
Finally, keep in mind that when purchasing orthopedic shoes for kids, comfort should come first. Avoid purchasing new shoes if your child appears uneasy while trying them on.
Above all, make sure that they don’t restrict movement by being too tight. Shoes should have some room to accommodate foot swelling following exercise or in warm weather.
Children’s corrective shoes are an essential purchase to support strong feet, ankles, and legs and ultimately avoid or treat walking disorders. Even with careful selection, your child’s shoes may not always fit well, necessitating the assistance of an orthopedic shoe repair specialist to modify the shoes. American Heelers can assist you in modifying the orthopedic shoes for your kid no matter where you are in the United States, including Cleveland, Ohio.