Definition: A firm – not rigid – arch support with heel cup gives support in the heel and longitudinal arches. This is adequate for children under age 18 in most instances as it provides an arch for those without one and keeps a higher arch from collapsing during the years the foot bones are still being formed. Since it does not have a metatarsal lift, it does not balance the body as those that do. For children, this is not as vital a function as it becomes as they mature.
This is the arch support of choice for children with flat feet and those with Sever’s Disease (see the Section “Sever’s Disease”). They do need to be replaced as children’s shoe sizes increase (about every 2 shoes sizes).
Benefits: These are inexpensive (compared to custom supports) and do the job of supporting children’s flat feet or addressing heel pain in children quite well.
Text: Copyright 2007-2010 Carole Romig Image: Skinny Cover 2003