Shoes for CMT – The Best Shoes for Kids with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

April 2, 2023 Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Juan Pablo Valenzuela 2 - Comments

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease cannot be cured, but there is one important factor you must consider and that is taking good care of your child’s feet, as your child’s feet are at an increased risk of injury and infection. There are certain shoes that can help relieve some of the pain that your child might be experiencing. These shoes are going to provide excellent support, and at the same time improve your child’s walking gait and overall posture. The right type of shoes can also help your child to stay mobile and prevent injuries.

Some children with CMT have high arches and develop foot conditions such as hammer toes, so it’s important for the shoes to also provide extra depth and rounded toe-boxes to not aggravate these conditions.

My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes and Orthotics

At the shoe store that I work for, we get referrals from physical and occupational therapists for children to be fitted with the correct type of shoes and orthotics, and the shoes make a tremendous difference in the way children walk and run. They also help reduce the foot and leg pain that the child might be experiencing.

The Importance of Being Proactive – Don’t Take the “Wait and See Approach”

I have been told by different doctors how a treatment that is introduced early in children with CMT is most effective, as it will be easier to slow this disease progression than to reverse it once it’s already in place. Wearing the correct type of shoes is really important for children with CMT, but many parents struggle to find well-fitting shoes for their kids because of their high-arched feet and hammered toes.

Symptoms of CMT – Keep an Eye on How Your Child Walks!

Some of the most common symptoms of CMT are:

  • Your child seems clumsier than his or her peers and more prone to falling.
  • Your child might develop foot deformities, such as high arches or hammertoes.
  • You will notice muscle weakness and decreased muscle mass in the feet and lower legs – it will also affect hands and arms as the disease advances.

How to Treat CMT? – Supportive Shoes and Orthotics!

The 3 most common methods of CTM treatment are:

1️⃣ Physical therapy: This is very effective as it helps prevent your child’s muscle loss by helping strengthen the child’s muscles. Physical therapy also helps prevent further nerve damage and deterioration.

2️⃣ Occupational therapy: This disease usually starts with muscle weakness in the feet and legs – it can later move into arms and hands, and occupational therapy helps strengthen the muscles used for these tasks.

3️⃣ Orthopedic devices: Special shoes with good arch and ankle support as well as supportive braces help provide stability and make daily tasks easier for your children.

It’s important to note that the weakness of your kids’ muscles might lead to painful foot deformities, difficulty walking and climbing stairs, and injuries as a result of trips and falls. The correct type of shoes can help support the child’s feet for easier walking and running, and minimize the pain that your child might be experiencing. Deeper and wider shoes can also help prevent the bunions from rubbing against the shoes.

Best Shoes for Kids With CMT – Supportive and Extra Deep

Below is a selection of the best shoes for children who have CMT – the shoes below can fit a child with medium (M), wide (W), or extra wide feet (XW). 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.

New-Balance-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
  • Available in laces and velcro
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
  • Available in laces and velcro
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite on Amazon or Zappos
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • 100% leather made
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style SRT Emilia by Stride Rite on Amazon
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • 100% leather made
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Timberland-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • Order the shoe style Tracks by Timberland on Zappos
  • Available for toddlers
  • Double velcro straps
  • Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
  • Water-friendly
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • Available for toddlers
  • Available in velcro and laces
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
  • Available in velcro and laces
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
orthopedic-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • Order the shoe style Gabi by Memo on Amazon
  • Available for toddlers and little kids
  • Double velcro straps
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Genuine leather and breathable mesh
  • Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization 
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
orthopedic-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • Order the shoe style Gabi by Memo on Amazon
  • Available for toddlers and little kids
  • Double velcro straps
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Genuine leather and breathable mesh
  • Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization 
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Saucony-shoe-for-a-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • Order the shoe style Cohesion on Zappos
  • Available for toddlers
  • Velcro closure
  • Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
  • Heel grid system for stable cushioning
  • Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Timberland-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • Order the shoe style Bootie by Timberland on Amazon
  • Available for toddlers and little kids
  • Double velcro straps
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Padded collar for a comfortable fit around the ankle
  • Water-friendly
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
orthopedic-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • Order the shoe style Mary Jane by Memo on Amazon
  • Available for toddlers and little kids
  • Double velcro straps
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
  • Rigid heel counter
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Saucony-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • Order the shoe style Cohesion KDZ on Zappos
  • Available for little and big kids
  • Velcro closure
  • Fits children with medium and wide feet
  • Heel grid system for stable cushioning
  • Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Saucony-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • Order the shoe style Cohesion KDZ on Zappos
  • Available for little and big kids
  • Velcro closure
  • Fits children with medium and wide feet
  • Synthetic and mesh upper
  • Heel grid system for stable cushioning
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • Available for little and big kids
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Velcro closure
  • ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
  • Mesh upper material features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • Available for little and big kids
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Velcro closure
  • ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
  • Mesh upper material features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • Available for toddlers and little kids
  • Available in laces
  • Fits children with medium and wide feet
  • Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • Available for toddlers and little kids
  • Available in laces
  • Fits children with medium and wide feet
  • Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • Available for little and big kids
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Velcro closure
  • Synthetic and engineered 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
orthopedic-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • Order the shoe style Ankle Support by Memo on Amazon
  • Available for little and big kids
  • Triple velcro straps
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • This is an orthopedic shoe
  • Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
orthopedic-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • Order the shoe style Chicago Corrective by Memo on Amazon
  • Available for little and big kids
  • Triple velcro straps
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • This is an orthopedic shoe
  • Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Adidas-high-top-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • Order the shoe style Own the Game 2.0 by Adidas on Amazon
  • Available for little and big kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Supportive outsoles and firm heel counter
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Adidas-high-top-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • Order the shoe style Cross Em Up Select by Adidas on Zappos or Amazon
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Non-marking outsole
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Saucony-shoes-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • Oder the shoe style Kinvara LTT by Saucony on Zappos
  • Available for little and big kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Cushioned footbed
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Saucony-shoes-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • Order the shoe style Shadow 6000 by Saucony on Zappos
  • Available for little and big kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Cushioned footbed
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • Available for little and big kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • Available for little and big kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Suede and mesh upper
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • Available for big kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Suede and mesh upper
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • Available for big kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Suede and mesh upper
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

Make sure that your child’s shoes are properly tied at all times to get the full support and stability that the shoes have to offer. I suggest that you apply this specific shoe lacing technique to get extra support and stability from the shoes.

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

Before you order your shoes online you need to be sure of your child’s exact foot size. I created a different article that helps parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.

The Best Orthotics for Children with CMT  – Extra Support for Their Feet!

When it comes to orthotics, I always recommend parents to talk to their physical or occupational therapist to see what they can recommend. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have your child to be evaluated for orthotics. Even if you must travel a long distance, it will be worth it! Some of our customers travel up to an hour to be properly fitted for shoes and orthotics.

If you are unsure about which orthotic to get for your child, the one below has worked well for many children with CMT.

1️⃣ Deep heel cup that helps control the alignment of the heel and lower leg.

2️⃣ Medial and lateral flanges to help keep the foot aligned over the orthotic.

Check Price

You Must Enter a Referral Code to Order this Orthotic

To place an order for littleSTEPS® Orthotics, you must submit a Referral Code in the Discount Window during the ordering process: JVFCS100121

You won’t have to remove the original insoles of your child’s shoes before placing this orthotic inside the shoes. Take a look at the chart below to figure out what size to order based on your child’s shoe size:

size-orthotics

If you decide to try this orthotic please take it to your local physical or occupational therapist along with the shoes, and see if the therapists agree with the shoes and brace as they watch your child walk.

Get in Touch for a Personalized Suggestion

Children’s shoe needs can vary depending on their foot shape 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.