In some cases, children may need orthopedic shoes at a very early age. Usually, we are talking about congenital anatomy disorders, developmental problems, and less often about injuries.
Our rehabilitation and prosthetics center offers orthopedic shoes for young patients with disabilities free of charge.
This opportunity is provided by participation in the state program for providing technical rehabilitation equipment to the disabled at the expense of the state budget of Ukraine.
Почати варто з того, що здоровій дитині ортопедичне взуття просто «для профілактики» не потрібне, воно може лише нашкодити. Потреба в ортопедичних пристосуваннях для маленьких пацієнтів встановлює тільки лікар – і тільки за призначенням лікаря в нашому центрі виготовляється безкоштовне ортопедичне взуття для дітей.
The main reason why a child may need orthopedic shoes is the early detection of flat feet. Which, in turn, can be caused by a number of reasons. For example, a child may have congenital weakness of the muscles and ligaments in the foot – and then the normal arch, which is formed by the age of two, remains flat in such children. A flat arch of the foot leads to abnormal stress on the organs and spine and potentially causes many diseases. Fortunately, timely and properly selected orthopedic footwear allows you to correct this problem in the early stages, preventing complications.
Orthopedic surgeons cannot say for sure what causes foot problems in children – there are many negative factors:
There are a number of signs that should be a reason for parents to visit a pediatric orthopedist. First of all, this is a common home test for flat feet. With normal development up to 4-5 years of age, a light footprint of the child’s foot should have a thin but clear line connecting the heel with the toe. If there is no such line at all or if, on the contrary, it is too wide and almost equal to the width of the heel, you should consult a doctor who will write a referral for tailoring orthopedic shoes to order.
Another reason for using orthopedic shoes for children is if the toes look inward (“clubfoot”) or outward. In this case, special shoes with orthopedic inserts on the right side are used, which forcefully direct the socks in the right direction. A visit to an orthopedist is also indicated in case of lameness on one or both legs, or complaints of pain in one or both legs.
Flat feet can cause painful sensations if parents do not visit an orthopedist in time. Statistics show that a large number of children suffer from abnormalities in the development of their feet. Sometimes they can lead to real problems in the future – but it is much easier to prevent them by receiving a referral for the manufacture of high-quality and beautiful orthopedic shoes free of charge in our center! Moreover, orthopedic footwear for children helps to avoid unpleasant painful sensations, gait and posture disorders.
It is very important to choose the right orthopedic shoes for children with cerebral palsy of any degree. Such shoes are characterized by a rigid back that stabilizes the ankle and foot, fixing the leg. In anti-varus and anti-valgus models, a beveled Thomas heel is used, which allows the foot to be oriented correctly and ensures a normal gait. In any case, early recognition of an orthopedic problem in a child and the manufacture of custom-made shoes free of charge will help to avoid expensive and lengthy treatment at an older age.
Since we are talking about orthopedic shoes, not anatomical ones, it is important to make them in exact accordance with the patient’s characteristics and to solve specific problems. The thinnest part of such shoes is the insole with a custom-molded arch support. To do this, you need to correctly take the measurements and the imprint of the child’s foot – we can do this in our center or go home to take measurements.
In appearance, children’s orthopedic sandals or boots often differ little from ordinary ones, but if you look closely, a number of advantages become noticeable:
We use high-quality modern materials that are hypoallergenic and highly durable. The orthopedic footwear manufactured in our center is characterized by high accuracy of fit thanks to modern equipment. By definition, children’s shoes cannot serve for a long time, because the foot grows – but we regularly replace orthopedic shoes. According to the state program, children are entitled to annual replacement of technical rehabilitation equipment, which includes, in addition to shoes, also prostheses.
