Do High-Top Shoes Prevent Ankle Injuries? – First Walkers Answers

Do High-Top Shoes Prevent Ankle Injuries?

If you're wondering whether high-top shoes can prevent ankle injuries, take a look at these expert insights.

By Leah Alexander

Edited by Kelly Hendrickse

Published August 13, 2023.

Ankle injuries can have a lasting effect on a child's well-being. With 85% of ankle injuries being sprains, and 72% of sprains leading to function impairment, parents may seek all the assurance they can in order to help prevent this. 
To help better understand how footwear can potentially play a role in helping avoid ankle injuries, we chatted with Leah Alexander, an experienced paediatrician. Leah shares her expertise on the matter to help you ensure your child has the best footwear to keep them comfortable.
Sports or Activities Where High-Top Shoes Can Help"I've observed quite a few sports injuries from various types of sports, and it doesn't seem to matter what kind of shoe the child is wearing. The cause of injury tends to be more related to how the injury is sustained."
The protective nature of different levels of high-top versus low-top shoes can have significant support only for exercises that involve minimal movement. So, they may not be beneficial for activities like running, soccer, or basketball, where substantial support and fast movement are needed.
High tops are more suitable for activities involving static movements. Weightlifting is an example that comes to mind because it requires standing in one place. Aside from their functional aspect, high-tops are most likely popular for their aesthetic appeal, too.
» Looking for the right shoes? Take a look at these girls' high-cut sandals with ankle support﻿
What to Consider When Buying ShoesSome factors that impact what shoes are suitable include:
Proper fit: Friction injuries or trauma to the skin or toes can occur when shoes are either too tight or too loose or the activity itself is causing trauma to the foot due to improper shoe fitting.
Bunions: "In most cases, these are hereditary, but I've noticed a progression in a few cases since they've become active in sports," explains Alexander. Here, ensuring the shoes have wide-toe bases is best to assist with discomfort at the first toe joint. 
» Check out the best high-top shoes for boys for ankle stability and strength﻿
The Right Fit Makes a DifferenceAs parents, your child's safety is most likely a big concern. So, while high-top shoes don't necessarily guarantee ankle injuries won't happen, they can offer additional support for certain activities to keep your child comfortable during their day-to-day play. Ensuring footwear fits appropriately—whether it's wide shoes or otherwise—can be a largely helpful step to avoiding injuries and helping manage discomfort from any that may occur during more intensive sports. 
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