Is Your Child Wearing the Wrong Size Shoe?

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When a child wears shoes that don’t fit well, it’s not just a matter of discomfort. Poorly-fitting shoes can actually cause damage to your child’s feet, affect their posture, and knock them off balance (leaving them prone to clumsiness and falls).

Too small

Children’s feet can grow at a remarkable rate. It’s not unusual for kids to grow out of their shoes in a matter of just a few weeks. And unless they complain, you may not even realize it. Meanwhile, tight shoes may be preventing the proper development of their feet and toes. Tight shoes put kids at risk for ingrown toenails and a toe deformity called hallux valgus. They’re also subject to forming corns, calluses, and blisters anywhere on their feet.

Too big

When buying new shoes for your kids, you may be tempted to get something they can “grow into.” But shoes that are too big can also cause problems such as blisters because the foot is sliding around inside the shoe. There’s also the real danger of a kid tripping over a shoe that’s too long for them.

Just right

Keep your child safe and avoid foot problems by making sure their shoes fit properly:

  • Catch any growth spurts early on by checking their shoes often at home.

  • When you buy shoes, have their foot measured. Don’t just guess their size.

  • If one foot measures larger than the other, buy for the larger foot.

  • Make sure there’s about ½” of space between their big toe and the end of the shoe.

  • Buy shoes of good quality that have excellent arch support.

Healthy feet literally form the foundation of your child’s healthy body. If shoes seem to be giving your child a problem or if you suspect that something’s wrong with their feet, don’t let a potential problem follow them into adulthood. Instead, make an appointment for a checkup with board-certified podiatrists Dr. Samantha Boyd, Dr. Hal Ornstein, Dr. Dan Phan, and Dr. Joseph Saka at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center. We have offices in Jackson and Howell (Monmouth County), New Jersey. Contact us online or call us at (732) 905-1110.