On March 15, PR Newswire and US Newswire featured this headline: ìWheeled Shoes Raise Safety Concerns.î The original release, from the American Chiropractic Association, expressed safety concerns for children who use wheeled shoes and others who have to dodge children skating in crowded shopping malls and parks.Last night, my family went to dinner at a local buffet style restaurant. A sign posted on the entrance read, ìWheeled shoes are not permitted in our restaurant. If you are seen using them, you will be asked to stop.î I thought, ìGood for them!î I do not like the shoes. Our son has asked for a pair several times, and we have said no. This sign opened up the opportunity for another discussion as to why he will not be getting a pair of these shoes anytime soon.These sneakers, commonly known as Heelys, resemble regular sneakers but have removable wheels in the heels. They are very popular but have been banned in some public places such as stores, malls and schools.Parents should be concerned about Heelys and other wheeled sneakers because of the potential for head, wrist, elbow and ankle injuries from falls, as well as the possibility of injuries caused by altered gait patterns.When wearing the shoes on a surface that is not for skating, children must walk on their toes. This altered gait forces their posture into unnatural positions, and, if worn regularly for walking, this could potentially cause strain on growing bodies, especially in the foot, ankle and lower back. Proper foot placement is of incredible importance when walking. The heel should strike the ground, and the individual should push off the ground from the toes. This cannot happen if the child cannot put weight on their heels because of the wheels.When children are skating with these shoes, they place all their weight on their heels, which could potentially create another set of issues. Because many children consider these shoes to be regular footwear and not athletic gear, they are usually not wearing any protective equipment, and that can be very dangerous if they fall on a slick or cement surface.Why is it so troublesome to walk? Iím all for rollerblades and scooters and skateboards when used with the proper equipment and in the proper environment, but why must our children have wheels on their shoes?If children are going to wear these wheeled shoes then maybe the following recommendations can be of help to all:Use the shoes for recreation only, not for regular wear. Always remove the wheels when walking in the sneakers.Do not allow children to wear the shoes in crowded malls, near busy streets or other areas where collisions with other pedestrians, or even worse, cars could occur. Urge children to be aware of their surroundings and of others walking nearby.Remind children to be aware of how their bodies feel. Pain is a sign that a problem is present.Palmer Chiropractic494-1395www.palmer-chiropractic.com
