How to Reduce or Eliminate Your Child’s Foot Pain – Free Virtual Foot Evaluation
Has your child been complaining about foot or leg pain, and you’ve been told by a pediatrician to wait and see? You’re not alone — and in most cases, you don’t have to wait. After more than a decade fitting shoes for children with foot conditions, working alongside physical therapists, occupational therapists, and pediatric specialists, I’ve seen firsthand how often the right pair of shoes makes the difference between a child in pain and a child who runs without complaint.
This page walks you through a free virtual foot evaluation I offer to every parent. In less than ten minutes, I can assess your child’s foot shape, identify likely conditions, and give you specific shoe and orthotic recommendations — without a clinic visit.
Why Early Evaluation Matters
The first seven years of a child’s life are the most important window for foot development. During this period, the bones, ligaments, and connective tissue are still forming — and the right footwear can actively guide that development in the right direction. Waiting until pain becomes severe, or until a child is older, reduces the degree of improvement that’s achievable.
Many families come to me after months or years of being told to wait. The most common regret I hear from parents is that they wish they had acted sooner. If your child is showing signs of foot or leg pain — or if you’ve noticed something about the way they walk or stand that concerns you — now is the right time to investigate.
The Free Virtual Foot Evaluation
I offer a free virtual assessment to help you identify your child’s foot condition and get specific shoe recommendations without leaving home. The process takes less than ten minutes and requires only a short video or three photos of your child’s feet, plus a foot length measurement.
Here’s exactly what to do:
Step 1: Record a Short Video or Take Three Photos
Option A — Video (preferred) A short video of your child’s feet gives the most accurate assessment of foot shape, arch type, and any gait issues. Record your child walking away from the camera on a hard floor, then standing still while you slowly pan around the feet. See this example video for guidance.
Option B — Three Photos If you prefer photos, take one from each of these three angles:
This image helps determine whether your child is flat footed and whether your child has a high instep or not.
This image helps determine whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet.
This image helps determine whether your child has rolled ankles or not.
Step 2: Measure Your Child’s Foot Length
Stand your child on a piece of paper on a hard floor. Mark the heel and the tip of the longest toe (which may be the second or third toe, not the big toe). Measure the distance between the two marks in centimeters or inches. Measure both feet — one is often slightly longer than the other. Size for the larger foot.
We will input your child’s foot measurements in the standard foot measuring tool (Brannock device) to retrieve your child’s exact foot length.
You can also follow this video guide for step-by-step visual instructions.
Step 3: Email Everything to Me
Send your video or photos, your child’s foot length measurements, and the country you live in (for region-specific shoe availability) to:
customerservice@fittingchildrenshoes.com
Feel free to include any additional information that might be relevant — whether your child has been diagnosed with a specific condition, what kind of pain they’re experiencing, what shoes they’ve been wearing, or anything else you’ve noticed.
I’ll respond within 24 hours with your child’s exact foot shape, a likely assessment of any conditions I can see, and specific shoe recommendations — including width options, where to order, and whether orthotics are likely to help.
What Happens After the Evaluation
Once I’ve reviewed your child’s video or photos and measurements, I’ll send you:
- Your child’s foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide)
- Your child’s likely foot condition based on what I can see
- Specific shoe style recommendations — not general categories, but exact models with links
- Whether orthotics are likely to be beneficial, and if so, which type
- Sizing guidance — how much larger than the measured foot length to order
This is the same process I go through in an in-person fitting at a specialized children’s shoe store, adapted for families who can’t visit in person. I’ve helped families in dozens of countries through this process.
If you’d like to support this resource so it remains freely available to families worldwide, you can make a donation here. Every contribution helps ensure parents everywhere can access accurate, personalized guidance for their children’s foot health.
