Pronation
Pronation is a
turning outward of the foot ankle, so that one has tendency to walk on the inner border of the foot. This
is a static deformity associated with flat feet and sometimes with foot and
arch pain. Major cause of pronation in children is poor quality footwear that
does not support the foot in general, ankle joints or stabilize the foot.
Babies when they learn to walk and stand are especially at risk to develop
pronation since their foot joints are very soft and sensitive to
deformation. Pigeon toe is often associated with pronation as whole body shifts and feet turn inwards. To prevent pronation buy overpronation boots for toddler with arch that will properly mold and develop posture and body gait. Quality European boots are considered best orthodics that you can
buy, therefore it is recommended that children wear quality, supportive toe boots
at all times. In some cases older children (age 3 and up) would be
required to wear orthodics to correct the problem along with supportive toe shoes.
However, to prevent any foot deformities from young age child should wear only
quality shoes so their posture and will develop correctly.Flat Feet
Flat feet in children 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 toddler 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 toddler
that are growing and developing a shape. Only European flat foot shoes for toddler made out of leather 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 toe in condition develops as low quality toe shoes worn frequently add to condition. In Toeing and Out Toeing
If a child has an in-toeing and their feet turn inward instead of pointing straight ahead when
standing, walking or running. Metatarsus adductus shoes for toddlers is seen in children with feet turning inwards. It is caused by wearing none supportive sneakers as a child. Child's body gait is affected and no support to the feet is provided. Corrective with good arch, ankle support, profiled soles will correct condition over time. Shoes manufactured in Europe are only quality ones with actual support for children. It takes about 3 years to correct condition with supportive only, (just do not rotate them with shoes from China with zero support as you never see any improvement). 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 toeing 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 produced for children in all European countries are quality and only shoes we put on our children to prevent toe in and pronation and other problems. Out-toeing shoes for kids is an opposite condition where child's feet are pointed excessively outwards. In-toeing and out-toeing usually does not cause pain or interfere with the way your child learns to walk. Although, severe in-toeing can cause young children to stumble or trip. Therefore, high supportive toe boots with arch support are needed to minimize the condition. If in-toeing continues special orthodics (made by podiatrist) are needed to line up posture and improve the condition.
A child who stands with their knees
touching but their ankles apart is said to have knock-knees. Knock knees 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 orthopedic shoes for knock knees toddler are needed. Also, strengthening and stretching
exercises will help to improve the posture.
TipToe Walking
Baby walks on tip-toes because baby's bottom was pointed down in the womb (breech position) or the mother had a condition called oligohydraminos in which she did not produced enough amniotic fluid. To correct the condition toddler needs high
supportive, quality shoes. The shoes will profile
the foot, stabilize the foot joints and over time minimize and stop tip toe over time. Make sure that child wears only quality high tops at all
times and that they are high and supportive. The stiffer, sturdier the better! Remember you can only make any difference in child's foot
when they are small and growing once grown no surgery exists to fix the issues.American Board of Pediatrics | European Ministry of Health Recommendations
They are significant differences in footwear recommendations posed by two different authorities American Board of Pediatrics and European Ministry of Health.
American Board of Pediatrics Recommends:
(NOT TRUE!) Barefoot or soft sole baby shoes.
(THAT IS WRONG!) Low quality shoes for kids made in China are allowed and approved.
(NOT TRUE!) Foot develops naturally with no restrictions nor support.
(NOT TRUE!) Shoes does not play any role in child's foot and posture development.
(TRUE) US podiatrists are not taught in medical schools about importance of footwear for growing and developing feet.
(NO THEY WILL NOT!) Toeing in, ankle pronation, weak ankles, tip toe walking will cure by themselves as the child grows.
(NO THEY WILL NOT!) AFO, SMO, will restore children feet to healthy state, not they will not since they lock the foot into one position.
(TRUE) Foot surgery in adulthood is performed only to relive pain and discomfort.
(PERMANENT PROBLEMS!) Adult with deformed feet will experience knee, ankles, spine pain, and posture problems.
(IS THAT A TRUTH!) Medicine in USA if for profit, so more kids with deformed feet and posture problems then more money for medical practice!
European Ministry of Health Recommends:
(TRUE!) Barefoot in protected environment (grass or sand only when foot contours to soft surface).
(YES TRUE!) High arch slippers for kids or leather shoes (proper heel support, arch support, flexible rubber soles).
(THANK GOD FOR THAT!) Cheap footwear from low cost countries (shoes for kids that are not made in China) are NOT allowed for import and sale in Europe!
(THANK GOD FOR THAT!) Kids footwear is regulated by European Ministry of Health.
(TRUE!) Foot develops due to formation and type of shoes child wears but they are also suitable for shoes for children's orthodics.
(IS THAT A TRUTH!) Shoes form and shape kids feet and posture so quality ones recommended to wear at all times!
(ALWAYS, ABSOLUTELY!) High quality, durable footwear, produced locally in Europe out of best quality materials.
(ABSOLUTELY!) Viewed as body developmental tool that would affect posture, knees, spine through entire adult life.
(TRUE!) Quality orthopedic shoes are used instead of orthodics, SMO, AFO's and provide far better result.
(ABSOLUTELY!) Medicine in Europe is not for profit so less kids and adults with deformed feet and gait, cheaper for the country.
(TRUE!) Quality shoes for toddlers act as a tool for prevention of all foot problems kids might experience when growing.
(SO TRUE!) They correct any deformity child might have from birth and protect and shape healthy feet and body.
(TRUE!) They correct ankle pronation, tip toe, supination, in-out toe, conditions in children.
(TRUE!) Healthy baby shoes called supportive, but we in Europe call them orthopedic shoes that is a correct medical terminology.
(TRUE!) Generations of European kids grew up wearing best shoes for kids feet
(IS THAT A FACT, TRUE!) If shoe is NOT manufactured in Europe according to quality standards it is NOT supportive nor orthopedic!
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, supportive 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 boots act as developmental and preventive tool.