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Flat feet become more noticeable when the child starts to walk, and by the age of 3 the arch should be able to be seen during walking. If the feet are still flat at this age, then parents should have their child’s feet examined by a Podiatrist. If the arch is not looked at, then the child risks long term damage to the feet.
Turned feet can be noticed even before a child starts to walk.
Your child's feet should not be turned in or out excessively. The foot should not be upward resting on or too near the leg. When holding your baby, the feet should hang naturally and similarly – one should not be turned out, in up or down more than the other. Many early foot deformities can occur only on one side.
Signs of a flat foot are a low or flat arch, an outward turned heel during walking.
The child may complain of sore or tired feet after walking or playing. Children with painful flat feet sometimes have trouble keeping up with friends because their feet get too sore or tired. If the arch is too flat, then foot muscles and joints have to work harder than normal during walking and running. Flat feet also change how the ankles, knees, legs, hips, and back work, and so there may also be pain and tiredness in these places.
At your Podiatric Physician’s office, the doctor will want to find out how long the problem has been going on, how much pain and tiredness the child is having, and about any other flat feet in the family, as well as the general health of the child. Also, the doctor will want to watch how the child walks and stands. X rays may be taken of the feet.
Depending on the examination and history of the problem, the doctor may decide to treat the flat feet. If the flat feet are mild, and if the child is still very young, the doctor may simply want to see the child back in a few months. This way the doctor can re-check the arches. If the flat feet are more severe, then treatment may be started. Usually treatment begins with exercise and foot inserts, or orthotics. The orthotics will re-align the feet to help the child walk more properly. Stretches or physical therapy may also be recommended.
In very young children the position may be improved by plaster casting of the foot and leg. This is done weekly, for 3 – 6 weeks, to slowly correct soft tissue position. Drs Eric and Cristi Bouldin enjoy working with children and performing these plaster casts.
In severe cases, if these treatments do not help, then surgical correction is needed.
This is often necessary in severe cases, in children whose feet are very flat and turned.
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