Flatfoot is a condition that can affect both adults and children, but when it occurs in children it is called 'pediatric flatfoot'. Most children with pediatric flatfoot are born with this condition, but it can appear later. Children usually outgrow pediatric flatfoot on their own as they grow older and it is after 5 years that it tends to disappear completely.
What is flat feet
Flatfoot is a common form of foot. When a person with flat feet stands up, as I have mentioned above, the middle part of the foot -or arch- disappears. The foot appears to be flat on the ground. There are three types of flat feet, and knowing which flat feet your child has will help you find the right treatment.
- Flexible flat foot. Almost all children with flat feet have what is called flexible flat feet. This condition is not painful, does not cause disability and does not require any treatment, it always affects both feet and improves only with the passage of time.
- Flexible flat foot with a short Achilles tendon. This condition occurs very rarely in young children. It affects both feet, it can cause pain and also disability.
- The rigid flat foot. Rigid flatfoot is less common. This condition shows more frequently in people who have a problem in the bones of their feet - tarsal coalition. About one in four people with a stiff foot has pain and disability. About half the time, stiff flatfoot affects both feet.
Ultimately, when a child has pediatric flatfoot, the arch of the foot shrinks or disappears. If the arch reappears when the child sits or stands on tiptoe, this is known as pediatric flexible flatfoot. There is also the rigid pediatric flatfoot, which with this condition, the arches do not reappear when the child sits or stands on tiptoe. There is also the flat foot with a short Achilles tendon.
Are flat feet a problem?
If your child has flat feet, this is usually not something you should be overly alarmed or worried about. Many people with flat feet have no associated problems in their life and they don't even need treatment to have a totally normal life.
But nevertheless, flat feet, when not improved over the years, are associated with:
- Pain in the feet, ankles, legs, knees, hips, or lower back.
- The feet may drag too much when walking or roll inward too much. This can cause shoes to wear out quickly and cause injuries.
- There may be problems with the bones, muscles, connective tissues, and around the feet.
If your child has any of these conditions then it is likely that they will need treatment.
What are the symptoms of flat feet
Most children with pediatric flatfoot have no symptoms. A parent or caregiver is usually aware of this condition. Symptoms children may experience from flat feet will include the following signs:
- Pain, tenderness or cramps in the feet and legs - especially in the lower part of the feet.
- Heels will tip out
- Changes in the way you walk
- Pain or discomfort when walking
Parents may also notice that their children do not want to do sports or other physical activities because they can cause great pain and discomfort in their feet and legs. If your child experiences any of these symptoms, you should see a pediatrician immediately.
Children affected by stiff flat feet may experience more severe symptoms. Those affected with the tarsal coalition, may present an abnormal union of the bones of the feet, may begin to experience symptoms in preadolescence. Children who experience a disease called vertical talus -congenital- also causes a stiff appearance at the base of the foot in a rounded and they may begin to experience symptoms when walking.
The diagnosis
A pediatrician can diagnose pediatric flatfoot. The condition is usually diagnosed by viewing the feet without any specific tools. The doctor will tell the child to sit up, stand up and walk to examine how the feet are in contact with the ground in each situation. The doctor can also examine your child's shoes to look for wear patterns.
In more severe cases, an X-ray may be taken to determine the extent of the deformity. The doctor may also examine the child's knees and hips to determine if the foot condition is related to some other problem in the leg.
How are flat feet treated
In most cases, children outgrow pediatric flatfoot without treatment. Unless the child is experiencing pain, the doctor may recommend a wait-and-see approach to what happens and how it evolves naturally. Yes indeed, He will ask you to take your child for regular check-ups in order to assess his progress.
Instead, if the child is experiencing pain, the doctor may recommend that you use some type of hard or soft insoles to support the arch. You can also create a custom brace to fit your child's shoe to help maintain the arch and relieve pain. In older children and adolescents, they can also do stretching exercises and physical therapy to provide greater relief.
In rarer cases, surgery may be necessary to treat pediatric flatfoot. This is more common with stiff flat feet and in children who continue to experience pain despite nonsurgical treatments. There are different types of surgery, but it will depend on the age of the child, the type of flat foot and the degree of the deformity.
We wish to add that the professional recommended to diagnose and treat any podiatric disorder is the podiatrist, which has the necessary training to address these issues.