With the popularity of wheeled shoes on the rise, doctors of chiropractic are expressing concerns about safety, both for the children who use them and others who must dodge children skating in crowded shopping centers and parks.

The shoes, most recognized by the dominant brand name, Heelys(R), resemble normal sneakers but have removable wheels in the heels. Although parents have purchased more than 4 million pairs of the popular shoes, some malls and schools have banned Heelys(R) due to safety concerns.

"Parents should be concerned about Heelys(R) and other wheeled sneakers because of the potential for head, wrist, elbow and ankle injuries due to falls, as well as the possibility of injuries due to altered gait patterns," says Dr. Steven Conway, a member of the American Chiropractic Association from Athens, Wis. "When wearing the shoes on a surface that isn't skatable, 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."

Conversely, when skating in the shoes, children are forced to put their weight on their heels. By doing so, they can easily lose their balance, putting them at a higher risk for falls and resulting injuries to the back of the head, elbows and wrists. Because many children consider Heelys(R) to be shoes rather than athletic gear, they fail to wear the proper safety equipment -- which can be especially dangerous when children fall on slick tile or cement surfaces.

The American Chiropractic Association offers the following safety tips when wearing Heelys(R) and other brands of wheeled shoes:

-- Always wear the proper safety equipment including helmets, wrist guards and protective pads.

-- Use the shoes for recreation only -- not for regular wear -- and 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 worse yet, automobiles - could occur. Urge children to be aware of their surroundings and mindful of fellow pedestrians.

-- Remind children to be aware of how their bodies feel. Pain is the first sign of a problem.

-- If an injury does occur, remember RICE - rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Ice the injury for 10 to 15 minutes, then remove the ice for about an hour and reapply. Using ice will help reduce the pain and inflammation.

American Chiropractic Association
acatoday/