Careful Back-To-School Shopping Prevents Foot Problems

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American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons

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Shoes that look "cool" will be on the top of many kids' back-to-school shopping lists, but parents should look beyond fashion to find shoes with proper fit and support while being aware of the warning signs of common foot problems, according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS).

"The hottest colors, gel insoles, lights and other gimmicks are not as important to healthy developing feet as a well-fitting shoe," said Marlene Reid, DPM, FACFAS, a podiatric surgeon in Chicago's western suburbs. "Children need supportive shoes to aid in the proper development of the bones and muscles of the foot while providing comfort and stability."

Reid added that children can experience problems during the school year from poorly fitting shoes, including blisters, ingrown toenails, poor performance in sports and distraction from classroom work.

Certain styles, such as trendy platform shoes, don't allow for proper foot function and stability. Younger children may not have developed the proper balance and muscle support to safely wear platforms and high heels. And Reid said wearing high heels at any age can cause ankle sprains, pain in the ball of the foot and other problems.

The ACFAS offers the following tips for shoe shopping:

• First, examine the shoe itself. A shoe should have a firm heel counter (stiff material on either side of the heel), adequate cushioning of the insole, and a built-in arch. It should be flexible enough to bend where the foot bends-at the ball of the foot, not the middle of the shoe.
  
  
• The child's foot should be sized while standing up, with full weight bearing.
  
  
• There should be about one-half inch of space (or a thumb's width) between the tip of the toes and the end of the shoe. The child should be able to comfortably wiggle his toes in the shoe.
  
  
• Have the child walk around the store for more than just a few minutes wearing the shoe and her normal type of sock. Ask her if she feels any pressure spots in the shoe. Feel the inside of the shoe for any staples or irregularities in the glue that could cause irritation. Examine where the inside stitching hits the foot. Look for signs of irritation on the foot after the shoe is worn.
  
  
• Shoes should not slip off at the heels. Children who tend to sprain their ankles will do better with high-top shoes or boots.
  
  
• Both feet should be measured, and if two different sizes, shoes should be chosen that fit the larger foot best.
  
  

For sports, "cross trainers" are fine for a general athletic shoe, such as for physical education classes. But if a child is involved more heavily in any single sport, he should have a shoe specifically designed for that sport. Reid said the back-to-school season also is a good time for parents to be on the lookout for foot troubles. "One common problem among 7-to-10-year-olds is that of flexible flat feet - the foot may have an arch when not bearing weight, but become flat when standing," Reid explained. "This type of flat foot often is associated with a tight Achilles tendon."

Other warning signs of flexible flat feet can occur if children often complain that their legs get tired easily, they need to rest often, they can't keep up with other kids, and they have leg cramps at night that cause them to wake up crying. These symptoms should be checked out by a qualified foot and ankle specialist. Very often the situation will improve with simple leg stretches and/or orthotic devices worn in the shoes.

As the school year progresses, shoes should be replaced if they become too tight or the heels wear down. Shoes that wear out too quickly or unevenly may indicate that a standing or walking problem exists and should not be ignored. Similarly, "growing pains," fatigue, tripping, pigeon-toed or "sloppy" walking can signal a problem. In certain cases, special shoes, heels or orthotic inserts can help.

The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons is a professional society of 5,000 podiatric surgeons. Fellow of the College are Board Certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, and reflect a high level of professional foot care, training and education. With a focus on preventative acre and conservative treatment, members provide high-quality, comprehensive care of the lower extremity.

Aug. 21, 2000

CONTACT: Parents who have concerns about their child's foot health can find a podiatric surgeon to consult by contacting the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons' Foot Health Institute toll-free at 1-888-THE FEET, or on the Internet at http://www.acfas.org .