I am trying to find a pair of shoes (sneakers/tennis shoe/athletic shoe) for my 5 year old daughter that have good arch support. She is very flat footed and has problems with leg cramps (in her calves and the arch of her feet) and I have read that a better supportive shoe may help.
I would appreciate ANY suggestions. Thank you in advance!!
B.
I love New Balance shoes. My kids all have different width feet and New Balance is great for everyone.
If you come up to Colorado Springs, there is an awesome children's shoe store called Junior Bootery. It's on the NE corner of Tejon and Boulder (downtown). They know how to fit kids shoes. Talk to them - ###-###-####. That's all they sell is kids shoes.
Go to Stride Rite and have her foot measured. They have good shoes that really last. And I think they do a good job making sure the fit is right. It's a little more expensive, but I think it's worth it.
Here is an informative link:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&a...=
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/par...
Be careful that arch support does not also cause pain OR impede the natural growth of a child's feet.
I have flat fee... I have never had pain/cramps.. but in amply arched/supported shoes, it has actually caused more discomfort. And I also ran track and cross-country... and flat-feet never once dis-abled me from doing well at it.
Have her go barefoot whenever possible... in the house etc.
Also have her stretch her calves and feet... it could just be an ill fitting shoe, not necessarily the "arch" in it.
All the best,
Susan
My daughter has weak ankles and calf muscles so I have to worry about arch support as well. I prefer athletic shoes. Be sure you feel inside to see if they have support. Recently I bought her a pair of LA Gear shoes that had really good support. I do not recommend High Tops. They are great for hiking but if worn on a regular basis have been shown to weaken ankles. Sketchers generally have good support but run on the more expensive side. You can also go as far as to take her into an orthopedist and have a custom support made that can be inserted into any shoe. Then she always has support no matter what shoe she wears. I personally have a pair of these and have used them for the better part of my adult life. I like and would recommend them. However because of cost I am waiting until my daughter's feet are done growing before getting her some of those made.
My kids have liked Merrells, too. I'm not sure if Pedipeds go up to her size, but if they do they are worth the high price because they are unsurpassed in comfort and quality, and have a very flexible sole to allow for natural foot movement. There's even a sale on their Web site right now.
I wonder if more postassium in her diet and additional stretching would alleviate some of the cramping. . . . A dance instructor could show you some foot-specific stretches that would loosen up her calves a bit. Cramps are the worst! I hope you get tot he bottom of it!
Good luck!
Keens have a lot of support too, both my kids love 'em. Merrells are also good. Ask your pediatrician what he suggests as well for support or inserts.
Clark's kids shoes. The only store that carries them is the Clark's store in Flatirons Mall. There is also a store in Denver that specializes in Kids Comfort, but I can't remember the name. However I got the flyer from Dardanos, so I'm sure they can give it to you 877-327-3266
I have flat feet and a women's running coach, who also owned an athletic shoe store, told me to get shoes that felt like I was barefoot in them, so that I could spread my toes way out and not feel restricted by the shoe. And then to run with my feet straight forward, instead of with toes pointing outwards. I had already had arch supports for years, even custom ones, but this advice helped me the best!! I used to have chronic knee pain and also ended up having knee surgery and couldn't run for years. Now I am running again with no knee pain.
My husband and son are very flat footed as well. We took my son into the podiatrist who helps my husband. He said around age 5, inserts can be very helpful. We're waiting until then. For now, he's happy in Nikes.
You can also help leg cramps by increasing magnesium. Rubbing 'magnesium oil' on the legs daily will help. Magnesium is a chemical gate blocker for calcium, and keeps the calcium from rushing in and agitating the nerve. Keeps muscles and nerves relaxed.
Nike shoes are probably the best for the arch supports. You can also buy seperate arch supports to slide under the inside sole of her shoe to help with current shoes. Go to Famous Footwear and they can help you.
B.,
You may have to take her to a podiatrist and get an insert.
Victoria
My 4 year old has been in Merrel's since the very beginning. Most recently we also got a pair of Bjorn's. We started out at a children's shoe store having her fit - the Stride Rite near me didn't work out because the employees were just young kids not people who really knew about children's feet and proper fit. Once she got older and the foot fat disappeared Merrel's and Bjorns have worked great.
