How to choose orthopedic shoes for children with bunions: useful tips

With hallux valgus, a comprehensive approach is needed to eliminate the defect.In addition to massage and therapy exercises, it is necessary to regularly wear sandals, boots, and boots of a special design.

The orthopedist will choose the best orthopedic shoe for your child.In cases of hallux valgus, parents should know which shoes and boots can reliably fix the ankle joint and how to properly wear special shoes.Useful information: how to prevent the appearance of flat valgus feet when you need to consult a pediatric orthopedist.

Hallux valgus: what is it?

Orthopedic diseases are diagnosed in children of different ages, more often in the first years of life during the formation of the musculoskeletal system.Weak bones, weak muscles and improper shoe selection will change the appearance of the feet.Usually the cause of the disease is calcium deficiency and some diseases (rickets).

Signs of pathology:

• The knees are tightly closed to the inside of the ankles, the distance reaches 50 mm or more;
• X-shaped transformation of the child's foot is noted, bending of the leg joints is visible;
• toes, heels upward, shaft significantly bent;
• The deformation negatively affects the general condition of the child: the legs hurt when walking and swell in the evening.

If you complain of pain in your feet or wear shoes quickly, carefully examine your feet and check to see if your child has symptoms of a plano valgus deformity.The slightest suspicion of a problem in a joint or muscle is reason to see an orthopedist.The sooner repair models replace conventional boots and sandals, the easier it will be to correct the deformity.Remember: curvature of any part of the lower limbs is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also harmful to health.

Characteristics of corrective shoes

Sandals, boots, special boots look like traditional models.Beautiful, fashionable shoes have long replaced the mediocre shoes that children had to wear a few decades ago.

Features:

• Anti-valgus shoes securely fix the ankle and tibia joints.A special design helps correct joint mobility in certain bones and prevents deformation;
• Adjustable models are easy to distinguish by their high top, which securely fixes the lower and upper parts of the ankle;
• all models have a removable insole to ensure correct alignment of the longitudinal arch of the child's foot;
• In case of serious pathology, the doctor will perform insole support in a special laboratory.Components of orthopedic products are manufactured to individual orders.The instep support is not a protruding foam part;During production, the master forms a convexity taking into account the anatomical features of the lower limbs of a small patient;
• The Thomas orthotic heel prevents the foot from turning inward.The heel is longer on the inside.Traditional factors are not suitable for correcting orthopedic pathologies of the lower extremities.

Benefits of orthopedic shoes

Regularly wearing children's orthopedic shoes helps improve foot condition:

• joint deformity stops;
• After a certain time, the joints return to the correct position;
• During treatment, orthopedic shoes prevent pain and heaviness in the legs;
• The small patient's psychological state improved, irritability decreased due to frequent discomfort when walking.

Information for parents!Maximum benefit for deformed areas will come from using anti-valgus shoes not only on the street, but also at home.Replace soft indoor slippers with branded ones.Controlling the position of the foot will speed up recovery and eliminate the defect.The ratio of use of regular shoes to orthopedic shoes will be determined by the orthopedic surgeon, depending on the severity of the disease.

How to choose: useful advice for parents

Before purchasing special shoes or boots, be sure to consult an orthopedist.The range of repair shoes includes dozens of models.Without a doctor's prescription, parents will not be able to choose the appropriate treatment option.

When choosing, be guided by the following requirements:

• Buy models made from high-quality genuine leather.Most models hug the foot and have a high top.Consequences of using poor quality substitute products: sweaty, slippery feet, fungal growth;
• Check the quality of the sole.The ideal choice is an elastic sole with good shock absorption.Avoid hard, stiff shoe soles: muscles, joints, and joints do not move while walking and gradually relax.Always flex the soles of your boots or boots.In the front part, the sole should be flexible, in the back it should be stiffer, but not bent in half.If you can't compress the sole, look for another model.Most orthopedists believe that the ideal sole for orthopedic shoes is made of rubber;
• The toe of the orthotic product should not create too much space for the toes but should not cause pressure either.It is forbidden to buy orthopedic sandals/boots for growth: the product must fit tightly to all parts of the foot;
• A closed heel counter is an essential part of proper orthopedic shoes.Even summer options always have a small heel cover.Why are open-toe sandals not suitable for children with orthopedic problems?The reason is clear: when walking, the heel moves, "pops", without a strong stabilizing force, the deformation of the joint increases.Proper heel position keeps your little feet from curling.Overweight children should only wear sandals with closed straps at the back.

Pay attention to the photo of orthopedic shoes for flat valgus feet.All models are similar in many ways, with slight differences in design and strap width.Even a non-specialist can easily determine: sandals, boots, boots reliably fix the child's feet.

Manufacturer

Many doctors and parents give positive reviews about the effects of special corrective products with tight fixation, stiff back, special heel and instep support.There are many models on the market from famous manufacturers.Pay attention to products from companies that produce quality products that meet the standards of orthopedic products.

Disease prevention

Think about preventing orthopedic problems before they happen: some diseases and conditions increase the risk of them in children.Unfortunately, the tendency to hallux valgus is hereditary.

Risk group:

• premature and weak babies;
• newborns with pneumonia or ARVI in the first year of life;
• Children have symptoms of rickets.

Parents should closely monitor the condition of the child's lower limbs if the expectant mother does not receive enough calcium and phosphorus, spends little time outdoors, rarely takes multivitamins and mineral complexes or has a poor diet.The condition of the musculoskeletal system of the newborn directly depends on the adequate intake of vitamins and minerals during pregnancy.

The following measures will help reduce the risk of hallux valgus:

• Proper nutrition during childbirth, monitoring the pregnancy process to promptly detect neurological problems;
• Prevention of rickets in infants: breastfeeding, eating foods containing calcium and phosphorus from 8–9 months;
• Regular consumption of fish oil, which improves the absorption of vitamin D, saturates the body with vitamins and minerals for strong bones, teeth and muscles;
• Useful foot exercises and foot massage are effective measures to prevent orthopedic diseases.Children should walk barefoot more often: sand on the beach, pebbles, uneven surfaces are great options to create a natural impact on muscles and joints;
• The first step is to buy slippers, sandals, or closed-toe shoes.The sole must be anti-slip, and heel lift is required.For children one year old and younger, heels should be worn from 5 to 7 mm, after two years old - from 1 to 1.5 cm;
• cycling.To prevent/treat flat feet and bunions, children should wear socks or shoes with soft soles;
• A children's massage mat is an ideal device to prevent flat feet and the development of bunions.Products are sold at pharmacies, children's stores, and are widely available on online trading platforms;
• The Swedish Ladder is another simple way to prevent orthopedic problems.When climbing on round bars, the feet flex, tense, and all muscles are involved.Parents must be instructed on how to safely climb/descend the railings on the wall.During class, it is important to stay close to children to avoid falls;
• Quantitative load on fragile legs.Sometimes parents try to teach their baby to walk as early as possible;at 7–8 months, they "lead" the baby, holding him under their arms.You cannot fight nature, which puts unbearable stress on weak muscles and joints: orthopedic problems in such cases are directly the fault of the parents;
• Buy only high-quality shoes for your child.Products made from genuine leather with flexible rubber soles are more expensive, but cheap sandals or boots cause a lot of problems with the musculoskeletal system.Treatment for orthopedic diseases often lasts many years;
• Take your child for regular health checkups with a specialist.Do not refuse a visit to a pediatric surgeon or orthopedist: timely detection of pathologies will prevent serious joint deformities.

Do not refuse to buy corrective shoes, do not hope that special exercises and massage will completely eliminate flat toes.The price of orthopedic shoes is quite high, but without special products, orthopedic diseases cannot be cured.

From an early age, buy shoes that take into account the anatomical features of your baby's small feet and prevent the development of orthopedic defects.If hallux valgus is detected, on the advice of an orthopedist, purchase high-quality corrective sandals, shoes and boots.Remember: an integrated approach to the treatment of orthopedic diseases necessarily includes such an element as regularly wearing special shoes.