Heelys are shoes with one or more wheels built into the sole.
Heelys are popular with children (the average Heely wearer is 9 years old) and more than an astonishing 4.5 million have been sold worldwide.
Common sense says putting a wheel on a shoe may not be the safest thing, but now a report ithe the May/June 2009 Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association reports that wearing Heelys can actually cause changes in the way one walks – even if the wearer is not using the wheel to move.
In the case presented in the report, Heelys caused the body position to shift and change. The researchers concluded: The changes in the way the child walks in Heelys may have implications for long-term use with potential foot deformities and gait abnormalities.
The researchers recommend limiting the use of Heelys and removing the wheel when the child is walking.
Please post your experiences with Heelys – good or bad.
Posted by Dr. Nirenberg 
