Best Orthotics for Children with Overpronation – Early Treatment Can Make a World of Difference!
Has your child been diagnosed with a foot condition, and your doctor recommended orthotics but didn’t specify which ones to choose? Or, perhaps you’ve noticed concerns with your child’s foot posture or walking gait, only to be told they’ll “grow out of it”? While I’m not a medical professional, I’m a passionate shoe fitter who has helped countless children find the right shoes and orthotics for their specific needs. I encourage parents to be proactive in addressing foot issues—don’t settle for the “wait and see” approach when it comes to your child’s foot health.
Why You Should Avoid the “Wait and See Approach”
Parents need to understand that they have a limited window of opportunity to make a significant change in their child’s foot structure and gait mechanics. I have noticed how some medical professionals recommend waiting until the child reaches the age of six or seven 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. The earlier you take action, the easier it will be to manage the condition.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes and Orthotics
Furthermore, I strongly believe exceptional footwear and orthotics can change lives. What I have to offer you is my many years of experience trying and testing many different shoes and orthotics. I know which shoes and orthotics work best for children with overpronation from watching them walk and run to check whether they are walking straighter or not. While there is no such thing as a universal orthotic that works well for all children with overpronation, I have noticed that some orthotics are a lot more effective than others, and those are the ones I will describe shortly.
Before and After: The Impact of Orthotics
Seeing is believing. Before and after images of children with overpronation standing barefoot versus wearing supportive orthotics highlight the significant improvements in alignment and posture.
Does Your Child’s Age Matter for Orthotics?
Most children don’t fully develop their aches until they reach the age of five, so while there is a chance that your child’s foot posture and walking gait might improve without any intervention, I prefer not playing the waiting game and trying to correct the issue from an early stage.
I get many emails from families of children under the age of five who need guidance on whether they should fit their children in supportive shoes and orthotics, and I also get many emails from families of children over the age of five who wish they had intervened earlier.
The question is, how flat are your child’s feet? Not all flat feet are the same. Genetics is also a very powerful factor. If you or the grandparents have a history of flat feet, then there is a higher chance that your child might remain flat footed.
Key Features of Orthotics for Overpronation
1. Deep Heel Cups: Orthotics with deep heel cups help stabilize the rear foot, minimizing excessive inward rolling. This stabilization is crucial for maintaining proper foot alignment and preventing further complications. When a child has flat feet and overpronation you don’t only support the arch, you mechanically support the pieces of the foot that cause the foot to be flat, such as the heels.
2. Medial and Lateral Flanges: The orthotics I recommend help support the arch and surrounding structures, promoting proper foot alignment. These features are essential for distributing pressure evenly across the foot, reducing strain on the ankles and knees.
Should You Invest in Custom Orthotics?
Custom-made orthotics are often the best choice because they are tailored to your child’s specific foot shape and overpronation severity. However, while custom orthotics can be beneficial, they are often not worth the price for young children who quickly outgrow them. Custom orthotics can range anywhere between $300 to $600. This can be very expensive for a child who might outgrow them every 5 to 6 months.
The orthotics that I recommend are the closest you will find to a custom orthotic in terms of effectiveness. The difference is that you will pay a much lower price.
Best Orthotics for Overpronation: Improve Posture and Prevent Pain
littleSTEPS orthotics are the best orthotic insoles for overpronation as they offer exceptional arch and heel support, all while being less intrusive than other options. This unique design helps support your child’s feet without hindering the natural development of their foot and leg muscles, allowing them to grow stronger and more aligned on their own.
1. To place an order for littleSTEPS® Orthotics you must submit a Referral Code: JVFCS100121
2. It’s not necessary to remove the original insoles of the shoes when fitting this orthotic.
3. The 3/4 length design makes it easier to fit into various shoe styles.
4. Take a look at this chart to figure out what size to order based on your child’s shoe size.
The main purpose of orthotics is to allow your child to function properly. I want to emphasize that if your child is for example flat footed, the orthotics won’t mold your child an arch. They will help improve your child’s foot posture, walking gait, and walking gait.
Orthotics Are Like Glasses for Your Child’s Feet
I always like to make the analogy that orthotics or even supportive shoes are like glasses for your child’s feet. When you have bad eyes you wear glasses, does it cure your eyes? No, but it makes you see better and you can function normally. Orthotics and supportive shoes are like glasses for your feet.
The Crucial Role Shoes Play in Supporting Orthotics
Choosing supportive and deep shoes for your child is essential when using orthotics. Only a few shoes offer the deep, supportive structure needed to work effectively with orthotics. Without the right shoe, you risk reducing the orthotics’ ability to support your child’s feet properly. Since shoes are the connection between the orthotics and the ground, they need to provide the correct support and structure for maximum benefit.
Can Orthotics Make Your Child’s Feet and Legs Weaker?
What I recommend is providing your child with the right structural support without compromising muscle strength. This approach won’t weaken their muscles—it simply helps align their feet properly. Why wait until the misalignment becomes more severe as they grow? Addressing it early can make a huge difference in their long-term health.
AFOs and SMOs: Why They Should Be a Last Resort
While AFOs and SMOs can make a tremendous difference in a child’s walking gait and overall posture, most of the time they tend to spend more time in the closet than on the child’s feet. In addition, most families have such a hard time finding shoes that fit AFOs that they end up buying shoes that are overly big for their child’s feet. What help are the orthotics if the child ends up wearing shoes way too big and just tripping over them? This basically defeats one of the main purposes of wearing orthotics which is to improve the child’s stability.
Orthotics for children with overpronation can be helpful in providing support and stability to their feet. However, it’s important to consult with a pediatric podiatrist or orthopedic specialist who can properly assess your child’s condition and recommend the most suitable orthotic solution.
