The Best Heel Cups for Kids with Plantar Fasciitis
Has your child been complaining about heel pain or have they been recently diagnosed with plantar fasciitis? Insertable heel cups may be just what your child needs to support their heels, relieve some of this heel pain, and prevent further pain from developing. As a shoe fitter with hands-on experience, I’ve seen firsthand how the right shoe and heel cups can make a world of difference for children suffering from plantar fasciitis.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis involves inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes (plantar fascia). Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain.
While there are multiple potential causes of plantar fasciitis, increased levels of activity or the structure of your child’s foot (having a high arch or flat feet) are key contributors to developing this condition.
Furthermore, your child’s shoes may be affecting or even worsening their heel pain. Ill-fitting shoes, shoes that lack arch support, or shoes that have become worn out are all factors that put your child’s plantar fascia at risk of inflammation.
What is the Best Way to Treat Plantar Fasciitis in Children?
In most minor or moderate cases of plantar fasciitis, a combination of physical therapy (targeted heel/foot stretches and exercises) and wearing the right kind of supportive shoes, sometimes with insertable heel cups, is sufficient and extremely effective to treat this condition.
In more severe cases of plantar fasciitis, more invasive treatments may be necessary. Be sure to talk to your child’s doctor if they are still experiencing heel pain even with these standard treatments (physical therapy, supportive shoes, and heel cups).
Why Use Heel Cups?
In cases where a child is still experiencing some pain even with supportive shoes, they may need to wear a pair of heel cups inside of these shoes for extra support. I recommend first trying out supportive shoes and seeing if they help to lessen your child’s heel pain. If their pain persists, then I recommend looking into insertable heel cups. Of course, be sure to consult your child’s doctor or physical therapist before trying them as these heel cups are a type of small foot orthotics and may not be for everyone.
Key Features of the Heel Cups I Recommend
The best heel cups for plantar fasciitis provide these two key features:
1. Shock Absorption: The heel cup I recommend offers superior shock absorption. Its innovative multi-cell, multi-layer waffle pattern design, helps to absorb impact pressure (shock) and return impact energy back to the feet.
Since children are constantly in motion, this level of shock absorption is extremely important. Children experiencing heel pain when running, jumping, dancing, or participating in other high-impact activities may especially benefit from wearing these heel cups.
2. Heel Comfort and Protection: These heel cups provide immediate heel pain relief by both cushioning and supporting the key areas where their pain is located.
The extra cushion this heel cup includes reduces and prevents sore heels and shin splints, allowing your child to maximize their time and/or athletic performance on their feet.
Finding the right heel cups for plantar fasciitis can be transformative for children with heel pain. Over the years, I’ve assisted numerous families in selecting the best heel inserts, ensuring their children can continue their daily activities without discomfort. 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.
The Best Heel Cups for Kids with Plantar Fasciitis
Based on my experience as a passionate shoe fitter helping kids with heel pain by fitting shoes and heel cups, here are the top heel cups I recommend. These products have been selected for their effectiveness in addressing the specific needs of children with plantar fasciitis.
Tuli’s Heel Cups
- Order Tuli’s Heel Cups on Amazon
- These heel cups for plantar fasciitis can fit in most shoes
- Small Size – Fits from a little kid shoe size 10.5 to a big kid shoe size 6. Best for children under 80 lbs.
- Regular Size – Fits big kid shoe size 6 and above. Weight up to 175 lbs.
KidSole Heel Cups
- Order KidSole heel cups on Amazon
- Available from a little kid shoe size 11 through big kid shoe size 7
- Sport grip design allows the heel pad to stay in place while kids run and play
- These gel heel cups for plantar fasciitis can fit in most enclosed shoes
- Fits from a little kid’s shoe size 10.5 to a big kid’s shoe size 6. Best for children under 80 lbs.
How to Properly Fit Heel Cups Inside Your Kids’ Shoes
Properly fitting heel cups inside your child’s shoes is key to their effectiveness. I recommend checking out another resource where I explain the best way to fit your child’s heel cups. Ensuring the heel cups are correctly placed can help your child feel more comfortable.
Contact Me for Personalized Recommendations
Finding the right heel cups and shoes for your child’s unique foot shape can be challenging. Every child’s foot is different, and what works for one may not work for another. If you need specific heel cups or shoe recommendations tailored to your child’s needs, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m here to offer personalized advice and help you find the best solutions for your child’s foot health.
What Are the Risks of Untreated Plantar Fasciitis?
Although plantar fasciitis can generally resolve itself without treatment within a few months, for some children, plantar fasciitis becomes a chronic condition. Chronic plantar fasciitis can result in your child experiencing general foot, knee, hip, and back problems since this heel pain can impair their normal walking patterns.
When children experience heel pain they may change their walking gait to avoid putting too much pressure on their heels. Unfortunately, this new walking pattern can then lead them to put too much pressure on other areas of their feet that they are not supposed to. As a result, additional foot, knee, leg, and lower back pain can occur.
In these cases, treatments should be taken up as soon as possible to limit the effects of chronic plantar fasciitis. Furthermore, for any child who has plantar fasciitis, taking up a few easy treatments can help speed up their recovery process and relieve some of their current heel pain.
Proper footwear during these formative years can prevent long-term issues and ensure that children develop a healthy gait and posture. If your child is experiencing heel pain, being proactive with treatment can prevent more serious issues later on, such as chronic pain or the development of improper walking patterns.
