A Guide to Pediatric Foot Development and Shoe Selection

Mark Hardy1*, Xin Chu2

1LLC (GFAC), Global Foot and Ankle Community, Lakewood, 44107, Ohio 

2Research and Development Department, Hangzhou Ginoble Children's Shoes Technology Research Institute, Hangzhou, 310012, China

Abstract: This article strives to educate the reader on the embryologic development of the child’s foot and al-so demonstrate the needs and effects that children’s shoe-gear has on the natural development of the foot and their progression to ambulation. Important aspects of normal foot development is compared and contrasted with congenital deformities along with a detailed discussion of weight-bearing milestones. The importance of proper and anatomically-friendly shoe design is emphasized as it relates to the above. A child’s shoe should not simply be a smaller version of an adult’s shoe. In summary, this article demonstrates the need for having a better understanding of shoe-gear science and gaining a greater appreciation for the interaction between the child's foot and shoe.

Keywords: Foot development; Shoe-gear; Footwear; Children; Shoes; Pediatrics; Biomechanics; Maturation