Whether it’s sand, water, dirt or grass, kids will be busy running, swimming, climbing and jumping this summer. Inappropriate footwear can lead to aches, pains and sprains to those pliable and fragile feet, say Ivan Farrugia and Erica Bartolo, two experts from the Primary Health Care Department.
Flip flops
In order to prevent tripping and maintain good contact with the inner sole of the shoe to improve support, it is best to avoid flip-flop type of sandals unless they have a built-in arch support. Flip-flops can lead to problems including stubbed toes, broken toes, blisters, arch and heel pain, tendinitis and sprained ankles. Flip-flops do not offer kids enough protection or support for daily wear. They are fine only for brief periods of time at the pool or beach. We see many children with foot pain after a long summer of walking barefoot or wearing unsupported sandals as well as injured toes and feet from sandals and flip-flops that lack protection.
We see many children with foot pain after a long summer of walking barefoot or wearing unsupported sandals as well as injured toes and feet from sandals and flip-flops that lack protection
Shoes to consider
There are better alternatives to your traditional flip flop. Sport-style sandals offer more coverage and support than flip-flops and are also a better choice than open-toed sandals for balance and support.
Toddlers and new walkers, who at this stage in development commonly have flat feet, do not need arch support from a shoe, but instead require a shoe that provides a substantial amount of flex to allow their feet to move freely.
Toddlers benefit from closed-toe shoes that are relatively close-fitting (foot stays stable and in place). Open-toed shoes do not provide the amount of stability that a closed-toe shoe does. They are learning many new gross motor skills and require good support for all of the challenging new balance activities, as well as learning to walk in the grass, mulch or sand.
Shoes for older children
Footwear in school-age kids should provide more support, cushioning and flexibility at the ball of the foot. Pre-teens and teenagers’ feet are nearing maturity and those who play sports will require sport-specific support from their shoes.
The right fit is essential
Once you’ve found the right shoe for your child’s need, it is important to find the right fit. We recommend measuring the foot while your child is standing and allowing about a half-inch of growth room at the end of the shoe. Always use the shoe shop’s measuring stick to obtain the length and width of your child’s foot as a starting point to finding the right fit. You may be amazed how much your child has grown!
Matching the right shoe to each summer activity is also important in protecting growing feet.
We recommend that children wear sneakers during the summer for daily walking, running and jumping. There are various lightweight, breathable and washable options, with proper heel cushioning, mid-foot support, flexibility, good traction and rounded edges to decrease stumbles and falls.
If you do want a sandal for going to the beach or due to summer heat, choose a sneaker type sandal with cut-outs and mesh – a much better choice than flat, non-cushioned flip-flops. Foot problems in children are mostly due to poor footwear, but gait problems may also occur. A short visit to our clinic may sort it out and get your children running, jumping and playing with other kids, safely and pain free, this summer!
Ivan Farrugia D Pod SR Pod M Pod A MSc Podiatry (Glasgow) SR Ch UK, is a podopaediatric specialist at the Primary Health Care Department. Erica Bartolo B.Sc.(Hons.) Melit., SRPod., MPod.A. is a state registered podiatrist at the same department. This article has been brought to you by the Primary Health Care Department which offers services in the health centres, district clinics and in the community.