Top 3 Most Common Kids’ Foot Problems – The Best Kids’ Shoes for Flat Feet, Rolled Ankles, and Toe-Walking
Do you have a child who is complaining about foot pain? There might be several reasons why your children complain about foot pain, but one thing is clear, pain is not normal, and when children experience pain, their bodies are telling us that there is a problem. In this resource, we will discuss the top 3 most common kids’ foot problems: flat feet, rolled ankles, and toe walking.
The Importance of Being Proactive
I have spoken to several families who took their children to their medical professional due to their kids’ foot pain, but they were told not to worry, and that their child will eventually outgrow the pain. I always recommend parents to be proactive and don’t take the “wait and see approach” when it comes to treating their children’s foot conditions. Leaving your children’s foot conditions untreated can only lead to the condition getting worse.
What Are the Top 3 Most Common Foot Problems in Children?
Let’s start with the most common problem of why children experience foot and leg pain.
Number 1: Flat Feet
One of the most common reasons why children experience foot pain is from having flat feet. This type of foot is relatively common in children, especially in toddlers. Most toddlers are flat-footed since their arch can develop until the age of 5, and no intervention is required unless the toddler starts complaining about foot pain or there are visible signs of poor posture.
Flat feet is also referred to as pronation. We all have a certain degree of pronation, but when it’s excessive that’s when most issues arise. When pronation is excessive it’s usually referred to as overpronation.
These are the most common symptoms of children who have flat feet and that parents should watch out for:
- Tripping or falling
- Muscle fatigue or soreness
- Hip pain
- Back pain
- Instability
- Growing pains
- Not willing to participate in sports or normal activity
- General fatigue
Treatment and Management of Flat Feet
The most effective way to treat children with flat feet is through supportive shoes. In certain cases, the child might need an orthotic for extra support to be fitted inside the shoes depending on the degree of the child’s flat feet.
Let me show you what a difference the correct pair of shoes can make in treating your child’s flat-footed condition. Below are a couple of images of flat-footed children standing barefoot and then wearing a pair of supportive shoes.
The correct type of shoes won’t mold your child an arch, but it will help your child walk and run straighter and improve your child’s overall posture.
What Are the Best Shoes for Kids with Flat Feet?
I created a different resource that showcases a selection of the most supportive everyday sneakers for kids with flat feet.
Number 2: Rolled Ankles
Rolled ankles, or ankle instability, occur when the ankle frequently twists or turns, often leading to sprains. This condition can cause discomfort and may affect a child’s ability to participate in physical activities. Rolled ankles in children are commonly caused by weak ligaments or muscles around the ankle joint. Previous ankle injuries can also lead to instability, as can poorly fitting footwear or uneven surfaces.
Treatment and Management
Initial treatment for rolled ankles often involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). If the issue persists, a healthcare professional may recommend physical therapy to strengthen the ankle or the use of a brace for additional support. Properly fitted shoes with good ankle support can also help prevent future occurrences.
Make sure that when you press on the heel counter of your kids’ shoes it feels firm and not soft or flimsy. Let’s take a look at the images below for better visualization purposes. As I am pressing on the heel counter of the shoe on the right image I can feel it feels firm and it doesn’t easily bend. However, as I press on the heel counter of the shoe in the image on the left you can see how it bends because the heel counter is too soft.
What Are the Best Shoes for Kids with Rolled Ankles?
There is a different resource that describes sneakers with firm heel counters for kids with rolled ankles.
Number 3: Toe-Walking
Toe walking is a walking pattern in which a child walks on the toes and there is no contact between the heels and the ground. This behavior is common in toddlers as they learn to walk but can become concerning if it persists beyond the age of three.
In many cases, toe walking is simply a habit that children outgrow. However, it can also be associated with conditions such as tight calf muscles, developmental delays, or neurological disorders like cerebral palsy or autism.
Treatment and Management
Treatment may involve physical therapy to stretch and strengthen muscles, or in some cases, the use of braces or casts. In rare instances, surgery may be necessary to lengthen the Achilles tendon.
I have helped several children who were toe-walking find the correct pair of shoes that helped “ground” them and walk heel to toe. The type of shoes that I recommend for children who toe-walk are ones that are rigid at the front.
What Are the Best Shoes for Toe Walking?
You can access a list of rigid shoes that can help discourage toe walking in a different resource I created.
Get in Touch for a Personalized Suggestion
Without a doubt, children’s shoe needs can vary depending on their age, activity level, 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 recommend specific shoes tailored to your child’s unique foot shape and condition.
Hi! Thank you so much for your very informative articles! I have the same question as Sharon above, my daughter does overpronate and still does some tiptoe walking but has a narrow foot. She is 5 years old and wears a size 1 (little kids? The one that comes after 13 toddler). What supportive sneakers
and shoes would you recommend?
Thank you!
Hi Ailis,
For children with narrow feet I usually recommend Asics, but there are only a few Asics kids’ shoes that are effective in treating and correcting overpronation as well as toe walking. Below you can find my recommendations:
Option 1
Option 2
Make sure that you apply this shoe lacing technique once the shoes arrive:
How to Tie Shoes for Kids with Narrow Feet – Make their Shoes Fit and Feel Better!
I hope this helps.
Hello,
My daughter is 8 years old and still likes to walk on her toes when she is at home. What type of shoes do you recommend for her that she can wear in the home? She currently wears a size 2 in big kids.
Hello Davy,
I wrote several articles on toe walking children, and there are certain shoes that are really effective in preventing a child from walking on his/her toes. The longer time that your daughter can wear her sneakers, the better. If you want to allow your daughter to go barefoot around the house to give her a break from her shoes you can do so, just make sure it’s for no more than 3 to 4 hours. The longer that your daughter wears her sneakers, the better.
if you don’t know what shoes to provide to your daughter for everyday wear. please take a look at this article:
Shoes for Tip Toe Walking Children – Prevent Your Kids from Walking on Their Toes!
If you want your daughter to wear something different than her sneakers, there is a particular sandal that she can wear around the house:
Sandals for Toe Walking – Let’s Prevent Your Kids from Walking on Their Toes!
The rolled ankles/ overpronation describes my child perfectly! However, she also has very narrow feet (a D in UK widths and ‘Narrow’ in North American). What brands might accommodate this? You have NB for rolled ankles and ASICS and Saucony for narrow feet. Is there a brand for both?
Hello Sharon,
I don’t like to generalize and label one shoe brand as being the best one for a particular foot condition. Among each shoe brand, there are a few specific shoe styles that will help treat a child with rolled ankles/overpronation.
What is your daughter’s shoe size? That will help me send you specific shoe recommendations.