5 Questions Parents Have About Their Kids’ Orthotics – Let’s Keep Your Kids’ Feet Healthy!
Has your child been diagnosed with a foot condition that requires wearing supportive orthotics? Some of the most common reasons why children need to wear orthotics is when they have flat feet, weak ankles, overpronation, low muscle tone, or general foot and leg pain. Let me show you the answer to the most common 5 questions parents have about their kids’ orthotics.
Don’t Take the “Wait and See Approach” – Be Proactive!
Parents need to understand that they only have a small window of opportunity to make a significant change in their child’s foot structure and gait mechanics. I have noticed how some pediatricians recommend waiting until the child reaches the age of 6 or 7 to intervene. If you notice something wrong with your child’s walking gait or if your child is complaining about foot or leg pain you need to intervene as soon as possible.
5 Questions Parents Have About Their Kids’ Orthotics
Question #1: Do children need to wear orthotics for the rest of their lives?
The earlier you start treating your child’s foot condition, the higher the chances that your child won’t have to wear the orthotics into adulthood. I have seen that most children who are caught at an early age (between the age of 3 and 5 years old) don’t have to wear the orthotics past their teenage years.
Question #2: Do orthotics work inside any pair of shoes?
Orthotics don’t work in any type of shoes. Your child won’t get the full benefits that the orthotics have to offer if they are not fitted in the correct pair of shoes.
The orthotics need to be fitted in shoes that provide a stable base of support, firm heel counters, and extra depth. Shoes that come with shoelaces are also more effective than shoes that come with an alternative closure.
Some orthotics also tend to take extra room inside the shoes, so you might need to fit your child in wider shoes. I created a different resource that has a list of supportive and deep shoes for orthotics.
Question #3: Can orthotics improve foot posture and gait?
The correct type of orthotics can help improve your child’s walking gait and overall posture by preventing your child’s feet from turning inwards or outward. Let’s take a look at an image of a flat-footed child standing barefoot. Do you notice how the child’s feet are collapsing and turning inwards?
Now let’s take a look at the same child standing in a pair of the orthotics I recommend. Do you notice how the child’s feet are a lot straighter?
Orthotics do work as long as you provide your child with the correct type of orthotics and you fit them inside the correct pair of shoes. It’s hard to tell how effective orthotics will be for your child’s feet as it all depends on individual foot anatomy and the degree of your child’s condition. With so many orthotics in the market, it can be hard to choose which one might work best for your child. Here is a different resource that describes the best orthotic for children with foot problems.
Question #4: Should my child wear orthotics all the time?
The longer your child wears the orthotics, the better. However, this doesn’t mean that you can give your child a break or allow them to run around without wearing the orthotics.
Question #5: Will the orthotics mold my child’s feet an arch?
The orthotics won’t mold your child an arch, but they will prevent your child’s feet from collapsing and allow your child to walk and run straighter. This will affect your child’s overall posture.
Can Orthotics Weaken Your Child’s Feet?
No, orthotics won’t weaken your child’s feet. I like to use the analogy of how orthotics work like eyeglasses; they only work while you are wearing them, and they won’t weaken the child’s muscles in the feet and legs.
If you have any questions that I didn’t address please do not hesitate to ask your question in the comments section below or send me an email at:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Should Kids Wear Orthotics?
My answer is that children with particular foot conditions can benefit greatly from wearing an orthotic. The goal of an orthotic is to gently reposition the foot in a more optimized biomechanical position.
I have experienced firsthand how orthotics can be life-changing and improve a child’s walking gait and overall posture. I helped several children who were experiencing foot and leg pain while playing sports. They were ready to drop out of them but were able to continue playing thanks to wearing an orthotic.
If your child has been diagnosed with a foot condition and is required to wear orthotics, don’t panic! A lot of children have to wear orthotics and if caught at an early stage the orthotics will be a short-term solution to your child’s foot problems.
