Many of our shoes, including our Answer2 Kid’s Shoes and Keeping Pace Kid’s Shoes, are designed specifically to meet the needs of kids who wear AFO and KAFO braces. We also carry Pedors Children’s Stretchable Shoes, designed not only for AFO accommodation, but also to meet the needs of children with E.B. who often develop chronic foot wounds.

An AFO (ankle-foot orthosis) is a general term for any orthopedic brace worn over the foot and ankle. A KAFO is an ankle-foot orthosis that extends up to the knee. Take note: Most children’s orthopedic shoes that accommodate AFOs also accommodate KAFOs.

To accommodate a child’s AFO, a kid’s shoe should be a width larger than the child would need if he or she were not wearing a brace. For most children that means wearing a wide width kid’s shoe. If a children’s shoe is going to fit properly over an AFO it should also have extra depth. Dual removable insoles are another useful feature because they allow the shoe’s depth to be altered to adjust for leg length discrepancy.

Another factor to consider when selecting an AFO shoe for your child is quality of construction. The rigid structure of an AFO will wear a hole through the toe box of an overly flimsy shoe within a matter of weeks. An effective AFO shoe should be made from durable, high quality materials. This is both to provide adequate support and to ensure that you only have to buy a new pair when the child grows out of the shoe and not before.