Teenagers and Shoes

Many teenagers visit my office with their parents each day. No matter what has brought them into the office, whether warts, an ingrown nail, or an ankle sprain, our conversation almost always leads to shoes. Sometimes the reason the teen has foot pain is directly related to their shoes! Also, locally, many of our teens walk to school and then spend all day walking around their schools. Thus, a supportive and comfortable shoe is essential to keep the feet safe and pain-free! A supportive shoe is one that cannot be bent or twisted into a ball. Also, a solid heel is essential for stabilizing the foot. For example, supportive walking, cross training, or running shoes are good choices for everyday use by teens. The other important factor to consider is size, as the toes should not be hitting the end of the shoe. There should be one thumb length from the end of the longest toe to the end of the shoe. If your teen, has toe problems, a shoe with a wider toe box (square or round shaped) allows the toes to have more space. Many teens are still growing until they are 18, so it is important to make sure their shoes are the proper size! Even within one school year, a teen may need a new pair of larger shoes. Finally, make sure you check your teen's shoes to make sure the tread has not worn out on the bottom. This can cause falls or may increase pain since the sole is starting to break down. Because many teens walk so much during the day, their shoes may wear out sooner than when they were younger. Questions? oakparkpodiatry.com