Toe shoes for kids medical correction shoes

In toeing and out toeing kids shoes

Knocked knees best medical shoes for toddlers

PRONATION

FLAT FEET

Flat feet is a genetic condition that it is passed in the family genes (not necessarily from mother or father), they occur because the tissues holding the joints in the foot together (called tendons) are loose. In infants and babies, the fat in the foot is also a factor. As children grow older, these tissues tighten and form an arch, most often by the time the child is 2 or 3 years old. By adulthood, most people have normal arches. However, in some people this arch may never form. Aging, injuries, illness or cheap footwear without any arch support may harm the tendons and cause weak feet to develop. Therefore, quality supportive footwear is especially required for little child that are growing and developing a shape. Only European quality footwear made out of leather or canvas with leather orthopedic innersole will help a child to form proper arch and correctly shape little toes. Weak feet do not cause pain in children but later in life as an adult it might be a factor in posture defects, and knee pain. Frequently pigeon toe condition develops as low quality toe shoes worn frequently add to condition.

IN TOEING AND OUT TOEING

If a child has an in-toeing gait, it means that their feet turn inward Metatarsus adductus (pigeon toe) instead of pointing straight ahead when standing, walking or running. In-toeing (pigeon toe) is seen in children with feet turning inwards and it is caused by wearing none supportive shoes as a child. Child's body gait is affected and no support to the feet is provided. Corrective shoes with good orthopedic arch, good ankle support, good profiled soles will correct condition in time. Shoes manufactured in Europe are only orthopedic ones with actual support for children. It takes about 3 years to correct condition with supportive shoes only, (just do not rotate them with shoes from China with zero support as you never see any improvement). Supportive orthopedic shoes form, support and shape kids feet while cheap shoes made in China deform and destroy your child's posture, feet and body gait. Child feet grow up to age 15 and only up till then you can make a change and improvement with good shoes. There is no way to correct pigeon toes in adults, condition stays permanent. Orthodics given from the doctor will not transform kids feet either, only good shoes with good ankle support are able to do that over time. That is why quality shoes produced for children in all European countries are orthopedic and only shoes we put on our children to prevent pigeon toes and pronation and other orthopedic problems.

Out-toeing (pigeon toe) is an opposite condition where child's shoes are pointed excessively outwards.  In-toeing and out-toeing (pigeon toe) usually does not cause pain or interfere with the way your child learns to walk.  Although, severe in-toeing (pigeon toe) can cause young children to stumble or trip. Therefore, high supportive toe shoes with arch support are needed to minimize the condition. If in-toeing (pigeon toe) continues special orthodics (made by podiatrist) are needed to line up posture and improve the condition. 

KNOCK KNEES

A child who stands with their knees touching but their ankles apart is said to have knock-knees. Knock-knees usually become apparent when a child is two or three years old and may increase in severity until about age of four. Concerns only really arise if the condition is first noticed after the child is six years old or if one leg is more affected then the other. Knock knees may appear to be present in children who have weak feet or who are overweight or tight around the hips. To improve the condition special orthodics along with high supportive leather toe shoes are needed. Also, strengthening and stretching exercises will help to improve the posture.

TIPTOE WALKING

AMERICAN BOARD OF PEDIATRICS VS EUROPEAN MINISTRY OF HEALTH

They are significant differences in footwear recommendations posed by:

American Board of Pediatrics Recommends:

Barefoot or soft sole shoes (NOT TRUE)

Low quality NONE orthopedic footwear imported from low cost production countries is allowed and approved (THAT IS WRONG!)

Foot develops naturally with no restrictions nor support (NOT TRUE!)

Shoes does not play any role in child's foot and posture development (NOT TRUE!)

Once child's gait and feet become deformed (pronation or pigeon toe) expensive custom orthodics, SMO, AFO's are made (average cost $3000 to $5000) that are not comfortable for kids to wear and will not restore kids feet into healthy position). SMO's AFO's completely do not work on children's feet, they limit their ability of walking, they extremely uncomfortable and there is no human made shoe that would fit any SMO or AFO device! Please tell me how child supposed to walk in plastic, oversized, motion limiting boot? How would they positively impact their feet and posture if child cannot even move in them? In 20 years we been operating orthopedic shoe store we never, ever seen on child with AFO, SMO that made any positive impact on their feet - not even one child! (THAT IS THE TRUTH!)

US orthopedic doctors are not taught in medical schools about importance of good shoes for growing and developing feet. (TRUE)

Pigeon toes, ankle pronation, weak ankles, tip toe walking will cure by themselves as the child grows (NO THEY WILL NOT!)

Foot surgery in adulthood is performed only to relive the pain and discomfort (TRUE!)

As an adult person with deformed posture will always experience feet, knees, spine pain, and posture problems (PERMANENT ORTHOPEDIC PROBLEMS FOR ENTIRE LIFE!)

Medicine in USA if for profit, so more kids and adults with deformed feet, posture and gait problems more profit for medical practice! (IS THAT A TRUTH!)

European Ministry of Health Recommends:

Barefoot in protected environment (grass or sand only when foot contours to soft surface) (TRUE!)

Supportive slippers or leather shoes (proper heel support, orthopedic arch support, flexible rubber soles) (YES TRUE!)

Cheap shoes from low cost countries (China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam) are NOT allowed for import and sale in Europe! (THANK GOD FOR THAT!)

Footwear is regulated by European Orthopedic Ministry of Health so local European orthopedic shoes are only allowed for sale in any European country (THANK GOD FOR THAT!)

Foot develops due to formation and type of shoes child wears (TRUE!)

Shoes form and shape kids feet and posture so quality, supportive shoes are recommended to wear at all times! (IS THAT A TRUTH!)

High quality, durable orthopedic footwear, produced locally in Europe out of best quality materials (ALWAYS, ABSOLUTELY!)

Viewed as body developmental tool that would affect posture, knees, spine through entire adult life (ABSOLUTELY!)

Quality orthopedic shoes prevent a need for any uncomfortable orthodics, SMO, AFO or surgeries person might need in a future (TRUE!)

Medicine in Europe is not for profit so less kids and adults with deformed posture and gait, cheaper for the country (ABSOLUTELY!)

Quality shoes (we call them there orthopedic) act as a tool for prevention of all orthopedic problems kids might experience when growing (TRUE!)

They correct any deformity child might have from birth and protect and shape healthy feet and body. (SO TRUE!)

They correct pigeon, ankle pronation, ankles, tip toe, supination, in-out toe, conditions in children (TRUE!)

That is why they are called supportive, foot forming shoes, we in Europe call them orthopedic shoes since that is a correct medical terminology (YES! AND GENERATIONS OF KIDS GREW UP ON THEM IN EUROPE AND THEY HAVE PERFECT FEET AND POSTURE!)

If shoe is NOT manufactured in Europe according to orthopedic standards it is NOT orthopedic! (IS THAT A FACT, TRUE!)

Do not accept "European styled" shoes that claim to be orthopedic and made in Europe (amazon and zappos are full of them) but in reality they are not, they are manufactured in low cost countries for cents with the cheapest materials possible. They have no supportive features so they basically useless for kids feet and they will cause more harm to foot development. (TRUE!)

European, genuine shoes manufactured in given European country by local factories with orthopedic standards in mind are the only effective shoes for your kids feet. If the regular price on them is below $85 they are not European made nor orthopedic - they are just copies from China, Vietnam or Sri Lanka. (TRUE!)


Watch the video about importance of European orthopedic shoes for all children.

The statistics between those two recommendations differ greatly since in Europe number of children with deformed feet is basically none existent. Children wear only quality, leather supportive shoes at all times and their feet and posture is perfectly formed. There is simply no need for orthodics, AFO, SMO's therapy or surgeries since quality shoes act as developmental and preventive tool.  In USA majority of children display various feet deformities (pigeon toe, ankle pronation, tip toe walking) since local shoes allowed for sale in department stores are low quality and not supportive. There is no quality control since majority of shoes are produced in low cost production countries (China mainly) out of low quality materials. They have zero orthopedic features and that is why kids feet getting deformed in USA due to cheap shoes they been wearing.

QUALITY AND AVERAGE PRODUCTION COSTS

European shoes are expensive in general since labor, quality materials and manufacture costs are high. Average pay or any leather worker in Europe ranges from 10.20EU to 25EU an hour (varying from country to country) therefore, locals gets paid living wages for quality products they produce. The footwear they produce is made out of best quality leathers (no harmful CFC's), has orthopedic support, it is well measured and fitted on average child's foot. The quality of the products is superior and designs of the shoes are one of a kind.  Average production cost of the child's pair of shoes is about 25EU to 50EU per pair plus importing costs, adult shoes range from 60EU to 120EU per pair plus importing costs. (designer shoes costs much more since designer label has its own value in eyes of worldwide customer). European local department stores and major chains sell kids shoes for an average 69EU to 150EU per pair and adult shoes for 150EU - 350EU per pair (varying from country to country). However, customer is guaranteed quality, comfort and durability every time. 

In contrast to the shoes mass produced in China, the average pay of a leather worker is $0.60 an hour. (city worker makes an average $1.04 an hour but in the province is $0.41 an hour). The shoes that every Chinese factory produces are made out of low quality leather that contains various dye chemicals including Lead and Mercury (read the article about Chinese leather imports to USA,tainted kids shoes imported to USA) The shoes are never measured nor fitted, have no orthopedic support of any kind and they heavily deforming child's feet during wearing process. The average cost of the child's shoes produced in China is $2 to $4 dollars per pair and that is including import costs. Local stores and major chains in USA sell them for an average of $50 to $60 dollars per pair. Well, talking about 600% profit! The average production cost of an adult shoe in China ranges from $9-$13 per pair including import costs. The local USA department stores and major shoe chains sell them for $150 to $300 per pair. Again, talking about huge profit and zero quality for USA client!

Now, ask yourself what kind of quality product are you getting when average production cost of the shoe your child wears is $3 and $11 for an adult? Why the shoes that you buy every season smell, fell apart, and give you discomfort? More importantly, how would they form and benefit your child's feet when quality is none existent? Is that maybe a corporate greed that outsources production jobs to China and forces local customers to settle for pure junk? Why USA footwear brands that used to produced locally closed down moved to China but are still allowed to sell and profit in USA?

If the toe shoes were produced in USA (let's just hope we will see that in our lifetime) the average cost of a shoes will be the same or even higher then European one's however, the shoes will be quality, well made locally by workers who would be paid living wages. Let's just hope America returns to pre-China product invasion where we the customers have a choice to buy local products that are functional, quality and do not fall apart after seasonal wear.       

LOW QUALITY FOOTWEAR

Low quality footwear that will cause foot pronation, decrease the arch support, cause pigeon toe and over time completely deform child's feet. It is all caused by cheap shoes folks! Any shoe brand sold on USA market is made in China and it is NOT ORTHOPEDIC. Orthopedic means supports and form kids feet and posture correctly. Only shoes manufactured in Europe are supportive for kids feet. We call them orthopedic toe shoes there and every child wears them. Children start with good toe shoes and wear them till teen years (feet grow till age 15) and end up with well formed feet and posture. That is why avoid buying local shoes (all made in China) since they destroying your kids feet and posture in more ways then you can imagine. Orthodics will not help either and doctors visits since the system is USA to sell you orthodics in a first place and profit from child orthopedic problems. Child will NOT outgrow knock knees, pigeon toe, ankle pronation - it is not going to happen without proper supportive European made shoes.

Children with deformed feet will develop feet and spine and posture defects not to mention sore, deformed and ugly feet. Therefore, Europeans buy only quality, orthopedic shoes for their children and when they became adults themselves they do not display any feet deformities. Is it worth paying $80-$100 on average for a pair of quality, orthopedic shoes? YES it is, since buying quality shoes is like buying "developmental health product" that your child definitely needs! Child only needs 2 pairs of good shoes per season (5-6 months or 4 pairs per whole year) for rotation. Do not rotate them with local cheap shoes because you never see any improvement. Whatever quality shoe improves and resets the foot, the cheap one destroys the foot line up. So, in conclusion the type of shoes (quality or cheap ones) you have as a child that is how your feet and posture will develop.