Best Shoes for Kids with Muscular Dystrophy – Comfort, Support and Stability

Has your child been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and you are looking for a pair of shoes to help improve your child’s stability? When choosing shoes for kids with muscular dystrophy, it’s important to prioritize comfort, support, and stability. I am a professional shoe fitter and I’ll provide you with a list of shoes that provide a stable base of support, firm heel counters, and that are lightweight and flexible at the same time. I will also help you make sure you order the correct shoe size online, which is essential for your kid’s foot health.

What Role Do Shoes Play in Helping Your Child with Muscular Dystrophy?

Muscular dystrophy can cause muscle weakness, instability, and difficulty with movement, so it’s crucial to choose footwear that provides proper support and stability. The correct types of shoes can help improve your child’s foot posture and stability.

Before and After Images

Before: “The “before” photo reveals a flat-footed stance, where the child’s feet are collapsing and turning inwards.

child-with-flat-feet-and-a-moderate-degree-of-pronation

After: “The “after” photo showcases a remarkable improvement, with the child wearing a pair of supportive shoes that I recommend. Do you notice how the child’s feet are a lot straighter? The substantial outsole and the firm heel counter of the shoes are preventing the child’s feet from collapsing and turning inwards:

child-with-flat-feet-wearing-supportive-shoes

How Do I Know Which Shoes Work Better than Others?

I have worked for a children’s shoe store for many years, and this experience has afforded me vast practical knowledge when it comes to treating and preventing children’s foot and leg problems. I am familiar with which shoe styles fit better than others and I can also guide you on how to order your kids’ shoes online.

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Many families ask questions in online forums such as Reddit or Quora trying to find out which shoes can help improve their child’s stability. Other parents who are going through the same situation tend to provide good feedback and recommendations, but it’s always better to consult with a medical professional or a shoe fitter who knows which shoes work better than others.

What is Muscular Dystrophy?

To be on the same page and raise awareness, let’s go over what is muscular dystrophy. It is a condition that weakens muscles over time and there are different types. However, it is relevant to note that each type begins at a different age and may cause mild or severe degrees of muscle weakness. The 2 most common types of muscular dystrophy are:

➡️ Becker Muscular Dystrophy: This is actually the most common and more severe form of muscular dystrophy. On average, it usually impacts more boys than girls.

➡️ Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: This type develops more slowly and symptoms may begin during the teen years.

4 Main Factors to Consider for Suitable Shoes for Your Kid

1️⃣ Cushioning: You want to look for shoes with ample cushioning to provide a comfortable and shock-absorbing base as this can help alleviate pressure on your kid’s feet and joints.

2️⃣ Stability: Shoes with a sturdy and supportive construction can noticeably help in maintaining balance and reducing the risk that your kid falls. You can opt for designs that have a wider base or a more substantial outsole for increased stability.

supportive-shoes-for-children-with-flat-feet

3️⃣ Lightweight and flexible: Shoes that are lightweight and flexible can enhance ease of movement and minimize the fatigue of your kid. You may also want to look for models made from breathable materials that allow for natural foot motion. Your kids’ shoes should bend at the toes but no further:

children's-shoes-with-the-correct-amount-of-flexibility

4️⃣ Round Toe-Boxes: I have noticed that some children with muscular dystrophy may have foot deformities or require orthotics. If this is the case with your child, then you need to look for shoes with wider widths to accommodate orthotics and offer more space for the feet, reducing discomfort and pressure.

It is important that you involve your kid in the shoe selection process and also seek their feedback on the feel of the shoe. Taking their preferences into account while prioritizing their comfort and well-being is crucial.

What Are the Best Shoe Brands for Children with Muscular Dystrophy?

Certain shoe brands specialize in orthopedic or adaptive footwear for children with special needs. However, I don’t like to recommend specific shoe brands as most families assume that all shoes from that brand will be appropriate for their child’s feet. In reality, there are specific shoes among each shoe brand that work a lot better than others.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best shoes for kids with muscular dystrophy. All of the shoes I recommend have been fitted by me at the shoe store where I work. Each shoe has been carefully selected in terms of comfort, support, comfort, and stability.

Best Shoes for Kids with Muscular Dystrophy – Comfort, Support and Stability

Some shoes on the list might be available in wide (W) or extra wide (XW) widths, but there are other shoes that even though they are not available in wide widths fit naturally wide. Read the description of each shoe to find out if it can fit your child’s foot shape, the features it provides, the type of closure, and the size that you should order to provide your child with the correct amount of growing room.

Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases. This allows us to create free content and resources for many families around the world. 

Keep in mind that you should contact your medical professional if your kid’s symptoms increase or worsen. A doctor will be most suited to provide personalized guidance based on the kid’s specific type of muscular dystrophy and medical history.

Important Tip: Make sure that you either pull the velcro straps or the laces of the shoes comfortably tight so your child can get the full support and stability that the shoes have to offer.

Has Your Child Been Diagnosed with Orthotics Such As AFOs or SMOs?

Some children with muscular dystrophy might be required to wear orthotics inside their shoes for extra support and stability. If this is the case with your child, you should look into other resources I created that describe the best shoes for AFOs or SMOs.

How to Get Your Kid’s Shoe Size Right and Improve Your Online Shopping Experience

More often than not, parents report that they have to order multiple shoes online before finding one that fits their kid’s unique feet. I understand that it can be challenging to find shoes for a kid with muscle dystrophy, especially if they also have an uncommon size or shape. Nonetheless, it’s critical to make sure that your child’s shoes fit properly, as shoes that are too wide or too narrow can create blisters, calluses, and ingrown toenails. 

Medical professionals concur that shoes that are too small hinder the proper growth of the foot, diminishing blood circulation, causing painful blisters, ingrown toenails, calluses, corns, and many other foot problems. Shoes that are too large might prevent your kid from maintaining grip on the ground properly, compromising your child’s stability.

For this reason, I created a different article to assist parents in determining their kids’ foot size and shape at home effectively and with ease. This easy-to-follow method allows parents to accurately determine their child’s correct foot length and width, as well as instep height.

Looking forward to finding additional resources? I also created articles that describe the best orthotics and sandals for children with low muscle tone.

Let’s Stay Connected – Questions, Feedback or Further Assistance

If you have any questions or need any further assistance, you can also contact us via email and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We are happy to help you find a different pair of shoes for your kid so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Thank you for reading! Please feel free to share this post with your community on social media as well as your experiences in the comments section below so other parents can benefit from your insights. Additionally, consulting with a pediatrician or a podiatrist can provide further guidance specific to your child’s needs.