I came across this advertisement dated September 8 1962 in a Tuscaloosa newspaper announcing the “Wikler Shoe by Buster Brown”.  Many adults may remember wearing these shoes as a young child because mom’s wanted best for their children.

According to the late Dr. Wikler, children’s feet should be measured monthly to avoid deformity and to avoid future foot problems.

When sizing feet he suggested placing a thumb’s width between the heel of the child’s foot and the back of the shoe, and to add an extra half-size to accommodate for growth.  Shoes should be secured to the foot with laces or velcro and fit the shape of the foot which is wider in the fore-foot and narrower in the heel. Moccasin shoes are best as they allow greater range and adaptability for feet to find balance and to move freely.

Children’s feet are comprised mostly of malleable cartilage. This soft, boney tissue takes about 20 years to completely ossify and mature into true bone.

It is during this phase of growth when feet are most vulnerable to damage as feet can easily deform and take the form of shoes they wear.  For this reason, Dr. Wikler strongly advised parents to keep children barefooted until the age of four to ensure they develop strong, healthy feet.

Dr. Wikler pointed out the next chance of foot deformity begins when young teens become seduced by fashion and begin to wear heels which atrophies and distorts developing foot muscles, especially in the medial arch, which then contributes toward a slow, breakdown of foot integrity.  The dismantling foot is mostly silent, and the fallout may take years to show until the day one notices a bunion.

Give feet a healthy start. Strong, healthy feet equal a strong, healthy body.

Click here to learn more about keeping feet healthy

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