FOOTPRINTS
AN INFORMATIONAL NEWSLETTER FOR PATIENTS OF APMA MEMBER PODIATRISTS
SEPTEMBER 2017
FALL EDITION
COOL FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL:
FOOT-FRIENDLY TIPS FROM TODAY’S PODIATRIST
BACK-TO-SCHOOL IS AN EXCITING TIME FOR PARENTS
AND KIDS, BUT BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING CAN
BE ANOTHER STORY. LET TODAY’S PODIATRIST HELP
TAKE SOME OF THE STRESS AWAY WITH THESE SEVEN
HELPFUL SHOE-SHOPPING TIPS!
1. Children’s Feet Change With Age. Shoe and sock sizes may
change every few months as a child’s feet grow.
2. Shoes That Don’t Fit Properly Can Aggravate The Feet. Always
measure a child’s feet before buying shoes, and watch for
signs of irritation.
3. Never Hand Down Footwear. Just because a shoe size fits one
child comfortably doesn’t mean it will fit another the same
way. Also, sharing shoes can spread fungi like athlete’s foot
and nail fungus.
4. Examine The Heels. Children may wear through the heels
of shoes quicker than they outgrow the shoes. Uneven heel
wear can indicate a foot problem that should be checked by a
podiatrist.
5. Take Your Child Shoe Shopping. Every shoe fits differently.
Letting a child have a say in the shoe-buying process promotes
healthy foot habits down the road.
6. Always Buy For The Larger Foot. Feet are seldom precisely the
same size.
7. Buy Shoes That Do Not Need a “Break-In” Period. Shoes
should be comfortable immediately. Also make sure to have
your child try on shoes with socks or tights, if that’s how
they’ll be worn.
DO YOU KNOW YOUR
1-2-3s?
Examine your child’s shoe with the
1–2–3 test:
1
Look for a stiff heel. Press on both
sides of the heel counter. It
shouldn’t collapse.
2
Check toe flexibility. The shoe
should bend with your child’s toes.
It shouldn’t be too stiff or bend too much
in the toe-box area.
3
Select a shoe with a rigid middle.
Does your shoe twist? Shoes should
never twist in the middle.
Doctors of podiatric medicine are podiatric physicians and surgeons, also known
as podiatrists, qualified by their education, training, and experience to diagnose
and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg.
AMERICAN PODIATRIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
9312 Old Georgetown Road • Bethesda, MD 20814-1621
www.apma.org
KEEP YOUR CHILD’S FEET HAPPY & HEALTHY AS THEY GROW
Whether it is a precious baby’s first steps or a quick-maneuvering teenager’s winning soccer goal, healthy feet and
sure-footedness make milestones in a child’s life possible. Starting at birth, paying close attention to your little one’s
feet from proper grooming to gait will ensure a solid foundation as your youngster grows. After all, their feet are meant
to last a lifetime! Here are some suggestions to help ensure normal development as your child grows:
INFANCY (birth to 1 year) TODDLER (1–3 years)
Look carefully at your baby’s feet. A
child’s feet grow rapidly during the first
year. Podiatrists consider this period to
be the most critical stage of the foot’s
development. If you notice something that does
not look normal to you, contact a podiatrist.
Keep your baby’s feet unrestricted. No shoes or
booties are necessary for infants. Footwear can
restrict movement and can inhibit toes and feet
from normal development.
Provide an opportunity for exercising the feet.
Lying uncovered enables the baby to kick and
perform other related motions that prepare the
feet for weight bearing.
Keep bare feet indoors. Walking
barefoot allows your toddler’s foot
to grow normally and to develop
its musculature and strength, as
well as the grasping action of toes.
Assess your child’s walking pattern or gait. It is
not uncommon for little ones to walk on their
toes. However, persistent toe-walking is not normal.
A podiatrist can examine a child to make a proper
diagnosis and determine the best treatment option.
Pay attention to unspoken signs. If your child is
limping, tripping, or always wants to remove one
or both shoes, these actions may be an unspoken
sign that the shoes don’t fit properly.
YOUNG CHILD (4–8 years) PRETEEN (9–12 years)
Take your child shoe shopping. It’s
important to have your child’s feet
measured before buying shoes.
Never hand down footwear. Just
because a shoe size fits one child
comfortably doesn’t mean it will fit
another the same way.
Establish good outdoor footwear practices. Wear
flip-flops around the pool and in the locker room
to prevent bacterial infections. Make sure winter
boots fit properly. Kids should be able to wiggle
their toes, but boots should immobilize the heel,
instep, and ball of the foot to help prevent
blisters, chafing, and ankle or foot injuries.
Play it safe with sports. Sports-related
foot and ankle injuries become
common as children start participating
in athletic activities. Contact your
family podiatric physician if you
notice a sports injury.
Promote healthy pedicures. It’s
important your child learn how to
trim and polish nails safely. Visit
www.apma.org to see a “Pedicure
Pointers” tip sheet.
Buy shoes that do not need a “break-in” period.
Properly fitted shoes should never require a
“break-in” period.
