Find Out If Your Child’s AFOs Are Too Long – This Method Works for AFOs with Full Footplates

July 12, 2025 AFOs Juan Valenzuela 0 - Comments

Has your child been prescribed AFOs, only for you to struggle finding shoes that fit over them? Are you ending up buying shoes that are way too big just to accommodate the braces? If you’re needing shoes more than a size and a half larger than your child’s actual foot size, it’s a red flag that the AFO footplate may be too long—or that a different shoe option is needed. Remember, AFOs fitted into oversized shoes lose one of their key purposes: providing proper stability for your child’s feet and legs. Let’s make sure your child’s AFOs—and shoes—fit just right.

Examples of AFOs that Were Fitted Too Long

You might have noticed that AFOs are sometimes made longer than your child’s current foot size. Often, this is intentional—medical professionals may add extra length to allow for growth so your child can wear the AFOs longer. While a little growing room is perfectly fine, there’s a limit. If the AFO footplate is too long, it becomes nearly impossible to find shoes that fit properly, leading to discomfort and defeating the purpose of the braces in the first place.

How to Check If Your Child’s AFO Footplate Is Too Long?

Keep in mind that this method is specifically for children whose AFOs have a footplate extending over the toes. If your child’s braces stop short of the toes, a different fitting approach may be needed.

Image of a child standing on AFOs barefoot.
Step One. Have your child stand on the AFOs and check how much space there is between your child’s longest toe and the end of the AFO footplate. Make sure that your child is standing straight and the heels are all the way back and sit well in the heel cup against the AFOs. You should also make sure that your child is not curling the toes.
Step Two. There should be 0.9 centimeters or 3/8 inches of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the AFO footplate to allow the correct amount of growing room. If the AFO footplate is bigger than 0.9 centimeters or 3/8 inches then you will end up having to buy overly large shoes that will compromise your child’s stability.

What Can You Do If the AFO Footplate Is Too Long?

If that’s the situation with your child’s AFOs, I strongly recommend taking the AFOs back to your medical professional to have it trimmed—it’s the only real solution.

Reach Out with Any Questions

If you are unsure whether your child’s AFOs are too big, too small, or fit just right, you can send me an image such as the one above and I will be able to figure this out for you. Once you have the image/s ready you can send them via email.

How Long Should Your Child’s AFOs Last?

This depends on each child’s growth rate, but AFOs should last approximately anywhere from 9 to 12 months. Make sure to examine your child’s skin regularly. If the skin is sore or irritated remove the AFO(s) and contact your medical professional.

What Shoes Work Best for Children Who Wear AFOs?

I have created several resources over the years for families of children who wear AFOs, but the one that families found the most helpful is one that describes the best sneakers for AFOs.

While it is possible to buy AFOs off-the-shelf, in most cases children receive custom braces. I strongly suggest that you speak with your medical professional before buying AFOs off-the-shelf.

Remember that every child’s situation is unique, but you are not alone in this journey. A great way to ease the stress of your situation is to connect with other families and also feel free to ask your questions in the comments section. Please consider that it is not unusual for the AFO to feel uncomfortable to begin with and therefore, we suggest your child break it in slowly.