Foot deformities in children

The evidence for prescription of footwear in children with foot deformaties varies and often an individualized approach is required in the context of best practice guidelines. Footwear should complement other therapies such as orthoses, because footwear can be the orthosis and can have orthotic features. The complete treatment, including shoes, needs to be assessed by the medical specialist. The two main goals for footwear prescription in children with clubfoot are maintenance of range of movement and prevention of further structural deformity. It always follows another treatment, such as casting and/or surgery, for clubfoot. The treatment of pes planus/pes planovalgus with shoes does not contribute to a structural decrease of the pes planus/pes planovalgus. The treatment with orthoses/shoes is only indicated in case of complaints. Essential in the treatment of pes cavus/pes cavovarus is the extra deep position of the MTP-I joint in case of equinus of the first metatarsal bone.