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I wanted a podiatrist's opinion on a topic that came up with an orthotist.

I was told by an orthotist that since my patient has bilateral DAFO's, he could wear any kind of shoe he wanted since the brace provided all the support he needed.

The child has high tone in both legs and uses a walker for mobility. He also walks with scissor steps.

What would your footwear recommendations be?

 

Dawn hello,

I am not a pod but I do have some knowledge of shoes, less so with pediatric patients but I know of a couple pediatric specific companies that make good shoes for bracing.

I do not agree with the orthotist. Just as in adults, pediatric footwear is an integral part of the brace. A less than supportive shoe in a child with any AFO could lead to a less than desirable result. In my experience the available widths, firm shank and advanced ramp of the sole in certain brands is useful for children wearing AFO's, especially with gait dysfunction.

KeepingPace and Hatchbacks come to mind as good choices and they enjoy added depth for a brace, have excellent medial and lateral stability and are internally adjustable for LLD and those instances where unilateral bracing could cause iatrogenic LLD.

I hope that helps,

Regards,

 

Not a Pod either :D
Most of the clients that come to us with DAFOS and AFOs in hand cant find a shoe that the brace will go into to start with, as David said the shoe needs to have good structure to function and to last the distance.

They will also need a rocker sole on the shoe to allow the gait to flow