Sue Ferguson
Chiropodist and Podiatrist in Tenterden, Kent
LOCATION: Home | Biomechanics and Orthotics | Orthotics For Children Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council
Registration No. CH16194
 

Orthotics For Children

 

Does your Child have a Foot Problem?
  • Flat Feet- Most babies are flat footed but an arch should develop by about age 6-7. Flat feet can occur because of excessive pronation (internal rotation) at the heel. Flat feet and excessive pronation can cause foot and leg pain and the child might tire easily.
  • Excessive Intoeing
  • Always tripping up
  • Painful Feet
  • Arch Pain
  • Leg Pain
  • Foot Pain
  • Back Pain
  • Hip Pain
Perhaps control is needed

Some children need extra support or control from an orthotic or insole worn in their shoes to stop excessive pronation and pain. An insole or orthotic can help their feet to develop properly. Normal heel to toe gait starts at about age 3-4 so some form of control from an orthotics might be appropriate after this age.

Custom made orthotics or ready made orthotics?

Custom made orthotics can provide orthotics that have the exact prescription and control that is needed for your child's feet. A biomechanical assessment might find that one foot is slightly different from the other and this can be allowed for in a custom made orthotic.

However there are now many excellent makes of over the counter orthotics for children which might be a useful first step, a temporary measure before a decision is made about custom made orthotics, or even a solution for fast-growing children who will quickly outgrow custom orthotics.

Gait Assessment and Analysis

If there are significant problems it is important to analyse how a child walks to determine the type of orthotic which will help. For my custom orthotics I use the TOG Gaitscan equipment to help with assessment and diagnosis.

Re-Assessment

Re-assessment should occur at least every 12 months because of changing foot structure and size of feet.

Custom Made Orthotics for Children

Custom made orthotics for toddlers and young children from The Orthotic Group
Kidsflex Orthotics for Young Children
Kidsflex
Custom made orthotic for children for sport and casual shoes. A deep heel cup is used to accommodate the larger fat pad found on the heel of young children.

Over the Counter Orthotics

Premium over the counter Orthotics for toddlers and young children from Northwest Podiatric Lab
Northwest Podiatric Lab premium OTC orthotics for children

Northwest premium OTC orthotics for children

Orthotic Colour Approx UK shoe size
Size A Purple   5 (toddler)
Size B Yellow   6-7 (toddler)
Size C Orange   8-9 (toddler)
Size D Green   10-11 (toddler)
Size E Red   12-13 (child)
Size F Blue   1 (child)
Size G Grey   2 (child)

 

 


   
Contact Sue Ferguson
Podiatrist
Book an appointment now to help your foot pain
Tel: 01580 765546
Ready made Orthotics
Northwest Premium Over the Counter Orthotics
Northwest Premium OTC orthotics for toddlers and young children
For toddlers and young children
Superflex Insoles
Superfeet blue
Superfeet Insoles for older children

Sue Ferguson
BSc (Hons), MRCPod
Chiropodist and Podiatrist

2 St Benets Court
Tenterden
Kent TN30 6QS
Tel: 01580 765546

Email: sjf.ferguson@gmail.com