DALLAS, April 28 (UPI) -- As parents shop for children's summer footwear, they should have their child's foot size checked often because feet can grow rapidly, a U.S. expert says.
Dr. Philip Wilson, an orthopedic surgeon at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, says it's no secret that children's feet grow rapidly, but parents should check their youngsters' shoes every few weeks to ensure there is adequate space to expand.
"The wrong shoe size can cause foot problems," Wilson says in a statement. "Parents should check the fit of a child's shoe when the child is standing and pay particular attention to the front of shoes. There should be one-half the length of an adult's thumbnail between the tips of the toes and the front of the shoes."
Wilson recommends that shoes be wide enough that they don't cramp the child's toes from side to side.
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