Best Shoes for Kids with Tarsal Coalition — The Best Treatment for Your Child’s Foot Pain!

April 20, 2023 Tarsal Coalition Juan Valenzuela 4 - Comments

Has your child been diagnosed with tarsal coalition and has a hard time performing daily activities due to pain and stiffness? Tarsal coalition is a condition most often seen in children and adolescents in which some of the bones of the rear and mid-foot are fused together. If your child’s doctor recommends supportive shoes to help distribute your child’s weight, stabilize the foot, limit motion at the joint, and relieve pain, you have come to the right place.

Don’t Take the “Wait and See Approach” – Be Proactive!

It’s important that you don’t leave this condition untreated as tarsal coalition can cause limping, muscle spams and frequent ankle sprains. It is also well known that tarsal coalition can cause flat feet. Do your child’s feet have any or all of the following conditions?

  • Collapsed and flattened arches.
  • Heel is deviated away from the midline.
  • Front of the foot is pushed out (like a duck).

My Experience Fitting Children for Shoes and Orthotics

I have helped hundreds of children with foot and leg pain find the correct type of shoes to significantly reduce or fully eliminate their pain. However, from all of the children that I have been able to help, only two of them were dealing with tarsal coalition, as this condition is not common and appears in adolescence when the bones grow and harden. This means that a child typically has no symptoms until between the ages of 8 and 16.

diagnosing-foot-pain-in-kids

One of the children I helped was treated with the correct type of shoes and orthotics, followed by physical therapy. Most children can be treated without invasive treatments such as surgery. However, the other child that came to the store had already gone through surgery as he was experiencing severe symptoms and the condition was interfering with his daily activities.

What is Tarsal Coalition? – Examples of Kids with Tarsal Coalition

Tarsal coalition is a type of flat foot. There are 2 different types of flatfoot, flexible or rigid, and tarsal coalition belongs to the category of rigid flatfoot. In flexible flatfoot, the foot has a normal arch at rest (not standing or walking), but it disappears once it comes in contact with the ground. In rigid flatfoot, the arch is not present, whether bearing weight or not.

Rigid flat feet are usually a result of abnormal formation of the joint and/or bones but can result from neglected flexible flat feet. When children have rigid flat feet, it creates a chain reaction of misalignment up the rest of their bodies. This results in abnormal strain and pressure acting not only on their feet, but on their ankles, knees, hips and back. The good news is that the correct pair of shoes can help realign your child’s feet and legs, improving your child’s walking gait and overall posture.

Children with Tarsal Coalition — Before and After Images!

Let me show you an example of a child with a rigid flat foot and what a difference the correct type of shoes can make.

Before Image: Standing Barefoot

Let’s start by taking a look at an image of a child with rigid flat feet standing barefoot. Do you notice how the feet are collapsing and turning inward? The right foot, in particular, is the one that’s collapsing the most:

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

Before Image: Unsupportive Shoes

Now let’s take a look at an image of the same child wearing her current sneakers. Keep in mind that the sneakers this child was wearing were unsupportive and provided a soft heel counter. Do you notice how the child’s feet are still collapsing and turning inwards?

child-with-flat-feet-and-overpronation

After Image: Supportive Shoes

Let’s see what happens when we fit that same child in a pair of shoes I recommend. Do you notice how the child’s feet are a lot straighter? The shoes provide a substantial outsole and a firm heel counter that prevent the child’s feet from collapsing and turning inwards. This is not an orthopedic shoe, just a regular everyday sneaker that simply provides better support.

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

How to Treat Tarsal Coalition in Children?

I always recommend parents treat tarsal coalition conservatively. The goal is to end their pain by providing them with a pair of supportive shoes, and depending on the degree of your child’s flat feet we might need to fit an orthotic inside the shoes for extra support and stability.

Shoes with a substantial outsole and a firm heel counter can help distribute your child’s weight, stabilize their foot, limit motion at the joint, and relieve pain.

Key Shoe Features for Treating Tarsal Coalition?

1️⃣ Substantial Outsoles: This feature helps distribute your child’s weight and prevents your child’s feet from collapsing by stabilizing the feet. Let me show you the difference in support between one of the shoes I recommend and a different style. Do you notice how the shoe on the right has a more substantial and supportive outsole compared to the shoe on the left?

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

2️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: This feature also helps prevent your child’s feet from collapsing and turning inwards by stabilizing your child’s feet from the ankles. Let me show you the difference in ankle support between one of the shoes I recommend and a different style. When I press on the heel counter of the shoe on the right it feels firm and supportive, and when I press on the heel counter of the shoe on the left it feels soft and flimsy:

children's-shoes-with-heel-support

3️⃣ Straight Lasts: This feature can help improve your child’s foot posture and stabilize the foot:

How to find out if your child's shoes provide straight lasts.

How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape

I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home. In that resource you will find out whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also be able to determine whether your child has a high instep or not.

Now that you know your child’s exact foot size and what features your children’s shoes have to offer I will show you a selection of the best kids’ shoes for tarsal coalition. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.

Kids’ Shoes for Tarsal Coalition – Stabilize the Foot and Relieve Pain

The shoes I recommend below are available in medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW) widths, so make sure that you order your child’s foot width accordingly. 

Little Kid Shoe Sizes (10.5 to 3)

  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
  • Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
  • Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Axon by Saucony on Zappos
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
  • Cushioned footbed
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Axon by Saucony on Zappos
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
  • Padded tongue and collar
  • Cushioned footbed
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Fresh Foam X 860 V13 by New Balance on Amazon
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Fresh Foam X 860 V13 by New Balance on Amazon
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride 
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
  • Lace-up closure
  • Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style TR14 LTT  by Saucony on Zappos
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Foam padding placed around your ankle collar and under the tongue for an incredibly comfortable fit and feel
  • Comfort sockliner molds to your foot with padding in the heel for ultimate cushioning at heel-strike
  • Engineered mesh for structure, stretch and enhanced breathability
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Cohesion TR14 LTT by Saucony on Zappos
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Foam padding placed around your ankle collar and under the tongue for an incredibly comfortable fit and feel
  • Comfort sockliner molds to your foot with padding in the heel for ultimate cushioning at heel-strike
  • Engineered mesh for structure, stretch and enhanced breathability
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

Big Kid Shoe Sizes (3.5 to 7)

  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
  • Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
  • Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Kinvara by Saucony on Zappos
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
  • Padded tongue and collar
  • Cushioned footbed
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Kinvara by Saucony on Zappos
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Foam padding placed around your ankle collar and under the tongue for an incredibly comfortable fit and feel
  • Comfort sockliner molds to your foot with padding in the heel for ultimate cushioning at heel-strike
  • Engineered mesh for structure, stretch and enhanced breathability
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
  • Lace-up closure
  • Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
  • Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
  • Lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and padded heel increases comfort
  • Firm heel counter
  • Supportive heel for active kids
  • Breathable mesh upper
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
  • Lace-up closure
  • Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Kinvara 14 by Saucony on Amazon
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Lightweight mesh upper
  • Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Arishi Fresh Foam by New Balance on Amazon
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
  • Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
  • Lightweight mesh upper
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Axon by Saucony on Zappos
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
  • Cushioned footbed
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

Make sure that your child ties the shoes properly to get the full support and stability that the shoes have to offer.

Get in Touch for a Personalized Suggestion

Without a doubt, children’s shoe needs can vary depending on their age, activity level, and any specific foot conditions they may have. If you have any questions or need any further assistance, you can also contact me via email and I will get back to you as soon as possible. I am happy to help you find a different pair of shoes for your child so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

If you try any of the shoes I recommend for a period of two months and your child’s walking gait doesn’t improve or your child still complains about foot or leg pain, then it’s time to try an orthotic inside the shoes for extra support.

Best Orthotics for Kids with Tarsal Coalition – Extra Support and Stability

Orthotics are simply arch support devices that provide extra support to targeted areas of the feet. When fitted inside the correct pair of shoes orthotics can be an effective solution to your child’s foot problems.

I have fitted and tested several different orthotics but there is one specific style I recommend that provides excellent arch and heel support but it’s not as invasive as other orthotics, meaning that it allows the child’s muscles to develop on their own.

Fits Toddler Shoe Size 5 up to Big Kid Shoe Size 3

  • Order the Footlogics full-length supportive insole on Amazon
  • Fits a toddler shoe size 5 up to a big kid shoe size 3
  • Medically approved insoles with targeted cushion and support
  • Deep heel cup with strong arch support
  • Made from lightweight yet supportive cushioning material with shock-absorbing heel and forefoot padding
  • They can be trimmed to size with scissors if needed
  • You need to remove the original insoles of the shoes to make the orthotics fit better

Fits Big Kid Shoe Size 3 1/2 and Above

  • Order the Footlogics full-length supportive insole on Amazon
  • Fits a big kid shoe size 3.5 up to a big kid shoe size 7 (available in adult sizes so you need to convert to kids’ shoe sizes)
  • Built-in metatarsal raise
  • Deep heel cup
  • Developed by Australian podiatrists
  • They can be trimmed to size with scissors if needed
  • You need to remove the original insoles of the shoes to make the orthotics fit better

Don’t forget to remove the original insoles of the shoes before placing the orthotic inside the shoes. If you fit the orthotic on top of the original shoe insoles, then you will be raising your kids’ feet, giving them the impression that their feet are coming out of the shoes. All of the shoes I previously recommended provide extra depth, which makes them ideal to fit orthotics.

If nonsurgical treatments do not relieve your child’s pain or improve their foot function, surgery may be considered. However, please remember that surgery should be used as a last resort since even though surgery can improve the long-term outcomes for your child with tarsal coalition, it can also be a stressful experience for you and your child.

If your child has already undergone surgery, your child’s doctor will recommend physical therapy or supportive shoes and orthotic devices, to help your child restore their strength and range of motion after surgery and recovery. The shoes recommended after surgery are the same as I would recommend a child should wear before surgery.