Crocs

Why does Murray Therapy struggle with Crocs in “now times” kid culture? For this, I asked my friend and resident retired Prosthetic and Orthotic Specialist of 43 years to weigh in.

Mr. James Pankow says, “I am a true believer that Crocs and slip over footwear are a defeat to what we are trying to accomplish for your child. These formative Wonder

Bread Years of your child’s feet are crucial to preventing ankle, knee, hip and low back limitations/pain in the future. Poor footwear such as Crocs feeds into the deformity that we are trying so hard to prevent.”

Thinking of our OT kids with flat feet, low muscle tone, toe walkers, W-Sitters, limited upright mobility, don’t like to/can’t run or do so awkwardly, etc… James says, “If we can keep the deformity flexible, we have a chance to defeat the biomechanical battle.

“When we lose your child’s flexible feet and limitations/deformity become fixed, your child will create an incredible amount of pressure which will be passed onto the joints above the foot/ankle … knee/hip and low back.

“My personal choice of footwear are lacing sneakers, preferably high tops to give more “compression” and stability to the ankle foot complex. I know lacing and snugging up your sneakers takes time, but so do all good things in life.”

At Murray Therapy, we agree with Mr. Pankow's assessment, and we encourage all of our kids to wear footwear that will promote strong muscle tone and flexibility in the feet to set your child up for the greatest success they can live.