How to measure the clubfoot properly?
24 March 2020
How to clean the Mitchell boots?
29 March 2020
In our opinion MITCHELL BOOTS are currently the best boots for maintaining clubfoot correction. Size selection is not simple and obvious, however, and causes a lot of problems for parents and doctors. What should you pay attention to when choosing the right size and why you don’t buy shoes thinking “they will be for longer”?
The table on the infographic shows the range of length and width of the foot with adequate size.
| Foot length (mm) | Foot width (mm) | Sandal size |
|---|---|---|
| 60-62 | 25-40 | Preemie 1 |
| 63-66 | 30-45 | Preemie 2 |
| 67-70 | 33-48 | 0000 |
| 71-75 | 30-55 | 000 |
| 76-80 | 30-55 | 00 |
| 81-87 | 30-60 | 0 |
| 88-92 | 35-60 | 1 |
| 93-102 | 38-65 | 2 |
| 103-112 | 45-70 | 3 |
| 113-122 | 47-70 | 4 |
| 123-132 | 48-70 | 5 |
| 133-142 | 50-75 | 6 |
| 143-152 | 55-80 | 7 |
| 153-162 | 67-82 | 8 |
| 163-172 | 70-85 | 9 |
| 173-182 | 74-89 | 10 |
| 183-192 | 77-92 | 11 |
| 193-202 | 80-95 | 12 |
Example:
The foot, 92 mm to 102 mm long and 38 mm to 65 mm wide, fits into a size 2 AND TAKES THE LENGTH STOCK. It is logical that if the foot is smaller, then the stock of the shoe (visible from the front) is greater, and when the foot is larger, the stock of the shoe is slightly smaller, but it is still a stock.
WHY DO YOU NEED TO KNOW BY MEASURING THE FOOT?
Please, see our previous post HOW TO MEASURE THE FOOT PROPERLY?
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MEASURING THE FOOT?
Demand the measurement of a boot from a doctor. Remind him about it every time. Let them write this dimension on a paper for BOTH feet (if the defect is on both sides) – both length and width. Show him the infographic showing HOW he should do it.
If you are measuring your foot in person, do not add any “reserve” to the foot. Measure its real length and width and guide yourself by choosing the size.
Do not buy boots with the thought: “last for longer” – such thinking is fatal – may cause regression in treatment, because too large a boot will not hold the foot down properly: the heel will run upwards.
If the feet have different sizes (unilateral defect for sure, but it happens that with a two-sided defect this phenomenon also occurs), buy two different sizes of boot. Each foot should be well held.
Do not measure your foot in a plaster cast and do not choose the size on this basis. If you are in doubt as to what to do in this situation, write to us.
When the foot is on the border of size that will fit a boot in size e.g. 1, but also will fit a boot in size 2, it is better to take a smaller boot, even if it will be used less.
If you can, buy two sizes of boots: one can be returned or sold (if used).
When the foot is ATYPICAL OR COMPLEX or when it is wide and chubby, sometimes a larger boot size is slightly better than the normal foot size. And by analogy: a narrow and petite foot will be better in a smaller boot size.
Sometimes it is so that the boot in the front has a fairly large stock, but it is IMPORTANT and KEY that the heel in this shoe lies correctly („the windows” of the boots are to be filled with the heel and it is to be clearly visible in them: there is no “clearance” between the bottom boot and bottom of the heel)!
Sometimes children have a narrow and small heel: there is a clearance in the boot, which I call “side”: it means that the sides of the heel (between the heel on the sides and holes) are loose. This is normal in this situation. The back of the boot is simply too wide for the narrow heels.
The toes in the shoe should not be in front of the toe strap (looking from the heel towards the toes). The nails should not be under the strap.
If you change the brace, e.g. from Denis Browne to Mitchell, the smaller size of the boot may be better – in Mitchell boot the foot is completely different.
If your child is undergoing re-treatment, a smaller boot size may be better to keep the foot in it well.
IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS, PLEASE, CONTACT US!
