Have you noticed your child walking differently lately? Does it seem like your child is falling often and having trouble lifting the front part of his/her feet? If you noticed that your child drags his/her toes on the ground when walking that might be a sign that your child has a condition called foot drop. I am going to show you a list of the best shoes to help treat foot drop in children based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
This is quite a complex subject but my goal is to explain it in a simple way so parents can understand what they might be dealing with and how to treat this condition.
Children with foot drop experience weakness when attempting to lift their foot off the ground, which causes them to involuntarily drag the toes of the affected foot (it can happen in both feet) while attempting to walk. What happens is that to compensate for this dragging, children tend to lift their legs higher than normal when taking a step. For example, have you noticed your child lifting his/her legs high when taking a step, such as if there were climbing a stair? This is a common sign of foot drop.
Have you noticed your child’s shoes scuffed up at the front? Most parents assume that the shoe is made from low-quality materials, when in fact it’s a sign that the child is dragging his/her feet when walking. For instance, take a look at the image below. This shoe has been worn for only two weeks. Do you notice the wear and tear on the front part of the shoe?
Take a closer look at the green stitching on the top part of the shoe as it looks new and in perfect condition compared to the stitching on the front part of the shoe. This is a clear sign that the child is dragging his/her feet when walking.
How to Find Out if Your Child is Dealing with Foot Drop?
Below you can find the 3 most common signs that your child might be dealing with foot drop:
➡️ Children with foot drop are unable to walk on the heels of their feet, and they usually experience loss of balance when standing without support.
➡️ Children with foot drop may also display an uncontrolled “slapping” of the affected foot onto the floor each time they take a step.
➡️ Children with foot drop lift their legs high when taking a step as if they were climbing stairs.
If you believe your child is dealing with foot drop I strongly suggest that you make an appointment with your medical professional to confirm the diagnosis, so that treatment options can be explored and implemented right away. The earlier you take action, the better. I always suggest parents be proactive and don’t take the “wait and see approach” when it comes to treating their child’s foot condition. Waiting for the condition to resolve on its own can only lead to the condition getting worse and worse!
What Causes Foot Drop in Children?
Your medical professional will help you figure out whether your child’s muscles are simply not strong enough to lift the foot and toes and whether there is an underlying problem that is affecting the nerves or muscles. Foot drop is associated with numerous disabilities including cerebral palsy, stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury.
One thing is clear, foot drop should be treated right away and I will show you which is the most effective way to treat foot drop in children.
How to Treat Foot Drop in Children – The Most Effective Way!
With early detection and treatment, foot drop can be successfully treated in most children. I have helped several children with foot drop and I believe I can help your child too. While there are several treatment options, I have found that the least invasive and most effective one involves wearing the correct type of shoes and orthotics, followed by physical therapy.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes – Over a Decade of Shoe Fitting Experience!
How do I know this? For the last 10 years I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store that focuses in helping children with foot and leg problems. Over the years I became familiar with the best shoes and orthotics for children with foot drop. I have seen and helped several children with foot drop walk and run straighter, and I believe I can help your child too.
The goal is to find a pair of shoes and orthotics that can support the structure of the feet as needed and help your child redevelop his/her strength and control.
When treating foot drop in children I suggest the following 3 step approach:
- Supportive shoes with substantial outsoles and firm heel counters to hold your child’s feet in the normal position.
- Full-length orthotics or ankle brace to aid in walking and prevent tripping.
- Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles of the leg and foot.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Foot Drop?
1️⃣ Substantial Outsoles: This feature is going to help cushion and support your child’s feet every time it impacts the ground. Shoes with substantial outsoles will also help keep your child’s feet in the normal position.
2️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: This feature is going to support and protect your child’s ankles and help keep your child’s feet in the normal position. Always press on the back part of your kids’ shoes and make sure it feels firm.
3️⃣ Extra Depth: This is a key feature if your child needs to wear an AFO or an orthotic with his/her shoes. Shoes with extra depth allow the AFO or the orthotic to fit deeply inside the shoes, providing better comfort for your child’s feet. When fitting an orthotic inside your kids’ shoes it’s always better to go deeper instead of going longer.
4️⃣ Shoelaces VS Velcro Closure: Shoelaces provide better support and stability compared to an alternative form of closure. I strongly suggest that you provide your child with a pair of shoelaces instead of velcro closure.
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
I have put together a selection of shoes that provide these 4 important features. However, before you try any of the shoes I recommend we need to make sure that you know your child’s foot size. For example, do you know whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet? Do you know if your child has a high instep? If you are unsure of your child’s foot shape I strongly suggest that you start by reading the article below:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
Keep in mind that you won’t be able to order the correct shoe size online if you don’t know what your child’s foot size is to begin with.
The shoes I recommend are available in different widths such as medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW), so make sure that you choose your child’s foot width accordingly. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
Best Shoes to Help Treat Foot Drop in Children
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- 100% leather made
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- 100% leather made
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Constructed with a breathable textile lining and an OrthoLite® comfort foam insoles provide moisture transport, antimicrobial function, and long-term cushioning
- Water-friendly
- Double hook-and-loop closure for easy on and off
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support your toddler walker’s needs
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Removable insoles
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization
- Stiff and high ankle support
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization
- Stiff and high ankle support
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Double velcro straps
- This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
- Extra depth and width for orthotics
- Rigid heel counter
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Little and Big Kid Shoe Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a comfortable fit
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Triple velcro straps
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Triple velcro straps
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Durable leather/suede mesh upper
- Stability Web outsole technology provides added arch support
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits wide or extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- Supportive outsoles and firm heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas to help get more out of the shoes
- Lace-Up closure
- Non-marking outsole
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Reinforced toe cap for durability
- Padded tongue and collar for added support
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
- No-sew tip for durability where kids need it most
- Order this shoe half a 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and heel increases comfort
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and heel increases comfort
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Unsure About What Shoe Size You Should Order?
In each of the descriptions of the shoes, I indicate whether you need to order a half size or a whole size bigger than your child’s current foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Do not hesitate to contact me directly at my e-mail if your child has narrow feet and needs different shoe recommendations. My e-mail address is:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
How effective the shoes and orthotics will be for your child depends on individual foot anatomy, and unfortunately there might be cases in which a doctor may recommend surgery or electrical stimulation of the peroneal nerve. However, I always believe that the first step should be to try the least invasive option.
Do you Need to Fit Orthotics or an AFO Inside Your Kids’ Shoes?
Orthotics and AFOs can take up a lot of extra space inside the shoes. If your child needs to wear an AFO I suggest that you order the shoes a whole size longer instead of half a size.
I also suggest that you take a look at the article below as it will show you how to tie your kids’ shoes to keep the orthotic in place. My coworker who has over 30 years of shoe fitting experience taught me this shoe lacing technique and it works wonders for children who wear orthotics:
How to Tie Shoes with Orthotics – Stop Heel Slippage
Final Thoughts on Children with Foot Drop
Sometimes foot drop is temporary, but it can be permanent.
Taking a simple step can be frustrating for a child with foot drop! Helping your child feel more stable by walking and running straighter means increased function, increased confidence, increased physical activity, and increased independence!
Let us know in the comment section below if you have found a specific shoe or orthotic that has worked well in improving your child’s walking gait. I am sure other parents will find your feedback helpful.
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