At this time of year, many parents will be going through the process of getting their children ready for the new school year. Often this involves buying new school shoes and given the amount of time that your child will be wearing their school shoes, this is one fit that’s important to get right.

So here are some tips from our Podiatrists for choosing the best fitting shoes for your child:

• Ensure there is one thumb-width between the end of the longest toe and the end of the shoe
• Look for shoes with a removable insole so that they can be removed when your child’s feet grow
• Look for shoes that have a stiff heel counter (when twisting the shoe it should be stiff)
• Look for shoes that are flexible at the forefoot (when bending the shoe it should bend at the forefoot, where the foot naturally bends during walking)

While you are going through the process of deciding on new shoes for your child, this is also an ideal time to arrange for your child to have his or her feet checked by a qualified Podiatrist. Early detection and treatment for childhood foot conditions goes a long way toward reducing the chance of functional problems later in life, therefore if you have any concerns about your child’s feet it is a good idea to have this professionally assessed.  

One condition which is commonly seen in children is “flat foot”, where the arches of the feet are flattened. The treatment of flat foot varies depending on the age of the child, but will generally include advice for strengthening exercises, recommendations for supportive footwear, and possibly orthotic treatment. Recent research has linked flat foot in children with poor physical performance, and noted that treatment of flat foot by a qualified Podiatrist may help to improve your child’s physical function and performance.

If you would like to make an appointment for your child to see one of our Podiatrists in Brisbane or the Gold Coast, please contact us on 1800-4-ENTIRE.