Children's Sports Related Foot-Wear

Sport-Specific Footwear Gives Kids a Boost

In this day and age, sports are more popular than ever among children of all ages. But did you know that picking the right shoe goes above and beyond just heading to the “athletics” section of the shoe store? Buying a sport-specific shoe – a shoe designed for the exact sport your child will be participating in – not only improves your child’s performance on the court or field, but also helps keeps them free from serious foot and ankle injuries.

Dribbles and Dunks— Many kids make basketball their first organized sport of choice, so it’s important to give them a shoe that both helps them perfect their basketball handling skills and prevents injury.

A child’s basketball shoe should:

· Have a thick, stiff sole that helps gives support while running and landing from jumps to the basket.

· Incorporate high ankle construction that supports the ankle during quick changes in direction. A good basketball shoe should have the strongest support on either side of the ankle.

Making a ‘Racket’ on the Court—Court shoes for tennis and racquetball may look like any other athletic sneaker, but it’s what’s on the inside that makes the difference on your child’s feet.

A child’s court shoe should:

· Support both sides of the foot, due to the quick lateral movements and weight shifts in court sports.

· Provide a flexible sole for fast changes of direction.

Best shoe for the job: Asics Velocity GS. This children’s court shoe provides a stable platform with long-lasting traction for eager dives toward the ball.

Sprinting Toward the Finish— The running shoe is perhaps the most personal and intricate of all athletic shoes. Every runner, like every child, has different needs — and there are a multitude of choices out there.

A child’s running shoe should:

· Provide maximum shock absorption to help runners avoid ailments such as shin splints and knee pain.

· Control the way your child’s heel strikes the ground, so the rest of the foot can fall correctly.

Best shoe for the job: Asics GEL series. Several Asics GEL series shoes, including the Nimbus 9 GS, GT-2120 GS and GEL-1120 GS, all are designed for active children who run on a daily basis. All carry APMA’s Seal of Approval.

Don’t Forget the Socks!— Without the right sock, even the best athletic shoe won’t quite

cut the mustard. If your child exhibits signs of hyperhydrosis (excess sweating) or bromohydrosis (foot odor), selection of the appropriate athletic sock may reduce the incidences of these conditions.

The right athletic sock should:

· Be made of a natural/synthetic blend, as this helps “wick” away moisture best

· Not contain any large seams that can cause blisters or irritation

Finally, a Way to End Chronic Heel Pain.

A New Treatment Option for Chronic Heel Pain

Achilles Tendonitis

Plantar Faciitis

Chronic heel pain associated with Plantar Fasciitis and Achilles Tendonitis is a very common complaint in our office. It is a problem that can affect virtually anyone. From experienced athletes to the average weekend warrior it can sideline any patient. Plantar fasciitis tends to cause heel pain on the bottom of the foot in the heel and arch area, whereas Achilles tendonitis tends to cause pain at the back of the heel.

However , both issues are generally caused by the over-use of a tight fascia or tendon which leads to micro-tears at the insertion of both structures. Subsequently, this causes inflammation which leads to pain and immobility.



A typical patient will feel pain worse when they first wake up and take their first step out of bed, or after resting and then standing. Most patients tend to feel pain worse as the day goes on and may notice some swelling or redness in the heel area. The problem is not necessarily symmetrical, it can affect only one heel.

In most cases, both problems generally respond well to conservative treatment i.e stretching, icing, changing into appropriate shoe-gear, OTC anti-inflammatory medications, orthotics and cortisone injections. Unfortunately, there are cases where conservative treatments fail leaving both the patient and physician frustrated because they believe they are out of options... until now.

Extracorpeal Pulse Activation Treatment, or EPAT, is a highly effective, non-invasive treatment for chronic heel pain. This FDA approved technology is based on a unique set of pressure waves that stimulate the metabolism, enhance blood circulation and accelerate the healing process. Damaged tissue gradually regenerates and eventually heals. This is a non-invasive, office-based procedure that has been shown to be incredibly effective in the treatment of heel pain.

The benefits of the EPAT system are generally experienced after only three treatments. However, some patients have reported feeling relief as quickly their first EPAT session! The purpose of this procedure is to eliminate pain and restore mobility, thus improving your quality of life. Statistics report that 80% of patients treated with the EPAT system are symptom free and/or have significant pain reduction.

EPAT is a FDA approved medical device. It is performed in our office, by our doctors and has virtually no risks or side effects. Treatment sessions last approximately 15 minutes. Three treatment session are necessary, within weekly intervals. Benefits of this procedure are that patients can be immediately weight bearing after the procedure. There is no need for anesthesia. Because it is non-invasive, there is no incision and therefore no risk for infection. Patients are able to return to work or their normal daily activities within the next 24/48 hours, and can resume strenuous activities after 4 weeks.

EPAT is a fast, safe and effective treatment option for patients with chronic heel pain caused by Plantar Fasciitis or Achilles Tendonitis. For more information on this technology visit www.curamedix.com, or make an appointment in our office at 8 School Street, Bethel CT for a consultation. (For an appointment with Dr. Jennifer Tauber or Dr. Michael Fein please call 203-743-7083 or visit our website www.bethelpodiatry.com for office hours and new patient forms).