Complete Podiatry Blog: Flat Feet in Children

One of the most common reasons children are referred to a Podiatrist is due to flat feet.

Here I discuss the causes of flat feet and any treatments that can be provided.

Flat feet can be defined as a foot that has a low or absent arch when standing. The ankles also appear to be rolling inwards. This can occur in one or both feet.

What are the causes of Flat Feet?

Most children are born with flat feet, as their arch is yet to form. This should develop around the age of 3 to 4 years.

There are two types of flat foot, which are flexible and rigid.

Flexible Flat Feet

Nearly all children will have flexible flat feet. Generally flexible flat feet do not cause any problems and the arch will continue to develop as the child grows. No treatment is usually required unless there are specific symptoms for example:

Pain, tenderness or cramping in feet, legs or knees
Outward tilting of the heel
Awkwardness or changes in walking
Difficulty with shoes
Voluntary withdrawal from activities.

Rigid Flat Feet

Rarely, a flat foot can be rigid, caused by the bones in the foot. These bones can be joined together or badly aligned which restricts movement and can cause pain. X-rays maybe required to diagnose this problem.

Assessing my Childs foot type

In order to determine which foot type your child has a simple test can be carried out. Ask your child to stand on their tiptoes. If an arch appears then the condition is probably flexible, and if an arch does not appear they may have rigid flat feet.

What treatment is required?

Unless there are any symptoms then treatment is usually not required for flexible flat feet.

Children with rigid flat feet will usually require a supportive insole which fits into their shoe to reduce foot pain, which can be provided from your Podiatrist.

The use of insoles will not change the shape of a childs foot in the long term, they are designed to help support the foot by holding it in a better position during growth.