Why Kids Need a Midyear Foot Exam
Did you buy your kids shoes for back-to-school? And did you think that you were done with worrying about their feet until summer vacation? Well, think again! Kids’ feet grow quickly—in fact, in the six months since school started, they could have grown as much as two shoe sizes! You’ll want to make sure kid’s shoes still fit, and that the year hasn’t taken a toll on their foot health. Use one of those winter break days to schedule a mid-year checkup with our podiatrist serving Westfield, Carmel, Noblesville, Fishers and Zionsville, Ind.
Midyear Pediatric Foot Exams
Many children will keep wearing their favorite shoes even after outgrowing them. That’s why you need to do a bit of foot-detective work, looking for signs of trouble. If children’s feet have blisters on the toes or heels, corns and calluses on the toes or ingrown toenails, these are all signs that they may have outgrown their shoes.
Also, shoes that still fit may need replacing. Check everyday shoes for signs of wear and tear, since these suggest the shoes aren’t absorbing shock properly. And that could leave kids with foot pain.
A Proper Fit for Kids’ Shoes
If you need to buy new shoes for your child, here are the most important features to include. First, choose a pair with just a bit of room for growing; about a finger’s width of space between the big toe and the shoe end if perfect.
While tempting, you should never buy shoes that are too big; loose shoes allow your child’s foot to slip and slide. And that increases the risk of foot pain, blisters and ingrown toenails.
Children’s shoes should also have a wide toe box, giving kids’ feet enough room to wiggle. Make sure they have lots of cushioning and shock absorption. And, if your child has flat feet, look for shoes with plenty of arch support, or ask us about orthotics for kids.
Not sure how to measure your child’s arch height? Unclear about their shoe fit, or just worried that your child isn’t walking, running or playing comfortably? Don’t assume he or she will outgrow this foot concern. Instead, call our office to schedule an immediate appointment with Dr. David Sullivan. At the appointment, we can check for current shoe fit, make suggestions for the best shoe style for your child, and address any concerns that may be causing foot pain or other complications.