Physiology and development of the foot in babies
The foot of the newborn is flat at birth, and a fat pad has formed on the site of the future arch, acting as a spring.
It helps beginners to keep their balance, and also dampens the shock wave that affects the spine and foot joints when walking, being a shock absorber until the age of three. The vaulted rise becomes noticeable only at the age of five. The arched structure of the foot develops by about ten years.
For toddlers starting to walk, the fulcrum falls on the outer arch (varus), and then on the very pillow that heaps inward (valgus). By about four years of age, their situation is returning to normal.
Thus, children's flat feet in five-year-olds is normal.
Definition of arch support
The arch support is called a slight roughness of the insole from the inner edge. It should be located exactly under the vaulted arch of the foot, keeping it level with the outer edge.
For preventive purposes, use soft, small in height arch supports, so as not to harm the baby and prevent the arch from dropping. They can be leather, cork, metal, plastic.
Doubtful use of arch support in children's shoes
If the child has no problem with the development of the feet, then in fact, he is not needed. And in some cases it even interferes with the normal process of their development, especially if the arch support is of poor quality. A stiff and high substrate leads to weakening of the muscles of the arch and provokes deviations during its formation .
Cause of flat feet in babies
Orthopedic surgeons among the main causes of this ailment call congenital weakness of the muscles and ligaments on the legs, which is accompanied by hypermobility of the joints . Regular barefoot walks coupled with vigorous physical exercises (running, jumping, walking up the stairs, etc.) will help strengthen them and make them work properly.
What is an arch support for children's shoes for?
It can be used only as directed by the doctor in an individual performance.
Important! Until the age of two, he is not needed in principle.
The list of situations when an arch support is necessary is specifically determined by the state medical standards of the Russian Federation relating to sports and rubber shoes, where the use of a special insole is supposed. Similar recommendations in connection with the high load are given by American pediatricians.
Types of arch support
Two varieties of this shoe element are known:
- rigid and high (used for medicinal purposes);
- soft and low (for prevention).
Reference! Foreign manufacturers of shoes for children (Ekko, Naturino, Superfit, Elephantin, Pedipet, etc.) do not use arch support. Instead, they use a trace profiled from a foamy substance, which not only exactly repeats the anatomical structure of the baby’s foot, but also remembers it.
What shoes to choose the baby?
Children's shoes are divided into two types:
- Medical or orthopedic.
- Preventive. It corresponds to age-related features and serves to prevent the development of pathologies of the feet:
- upper material is soft natural;
- the sole is flexible, non-slip, the toe is raised;
- wide nose;
- heel from 5 to 10 mm;
- back closed, stiff;
- Velcro, because it is easily adjustable and fixed.
Winter
The main criteria:
- the toe is round, the heel is firm;
- thick sole;
- steady heel;
- strong lacing and reliable accessories;
- obligatory insole;
- arch support, if available, in the form of a small elevation from the inside.
Reference! Warm shoes for children are most often not equipped with arch support, because woolen socks negate its function. And it is better to wear special shoes in the winter at home, where the child spends most of the time.
Sports
Modern children often wear sneakers or sneakers, because parents are sure that these are the most comfortable shoes. But do not forget about the most important selection criteria - a hard back and arch support. You can do without them only when wearing such shoes, as they say, from case to case.
Special requirements for sports:
- purchase in a company store;
- strong fixation of the foot;
- shock absorption of the sole.
If it comes to the baby - it is better to postpone such a product “for later”.
Important! When purchasing rollers for skiing with a sliding mechanism, you should consult your doctor and buy orthopedic insoles for leveling the negative impact on the foot.
Orthopedic sports shoes
Thus, the arch support is a low ledge from the inner edge of the insole . Its placement should coincide with the place of the longitudinal arch on the foot. He seems to align the foot.
Orthopedic surgeons recommend that children wear such shoes for medicinal purposes. In the absence of indications, it is best to use prophylactic shoes corresponding to the age-related anatomical development of the foot.
If in doubt, consult a specialist.
