Children with Flat Feet – What are the Treatment Options?
Parents want their children to be
perfect in every way. Even the commonest of problems and minor medical
conditions are cause for worry. And among these issues is that of less than
perfect arches on a child’s feet. It’s not just a matter of appearance. Flat
feet can cause discomfort and even pain and also affect athletic abilities. But
what actually are flat feet? It is generally taken to mean that the arch that
runs under the inner side of the soles of the feet is either insufficient or
completely absent. However, there is no accepted definition or standard as to
what a flat foot is and what is not.
Do Flat Feet Need Treatment?
The question of treatment for
flat feet is equally open to various answers. A minor reduction in the arch may
not require any attention but determining that is best left to a podiatrist. In
general, the earlier flat feet are treated, the better so that the correction
of the arch can be done while the young feet are still supple enough to accept
the re-alignment easily. The most common form of treatment is orthotics which
are inserts paced in the shoes to provide support under the weak arch and cause
it to change into the correct shape. If the orthotics are custom made they can
be extremely expensive and once again, a foot specialist is the best person to
advise on the right course of action.
But it may be that no corrective
action is required.
It Is a Common Problem
Studies show that up to 13% of
children have flat feet and the volume is highest among younger children. The
fact that the numbers drop as the children age shows that in some cases the
conditions correct themselves over time. In fact, a degree of flat-footedness that
comes down with age until it is gone by the time the child is nine years old is
quite common.
And not all children with flat
feet develop problems or more severe symptoms later on in life. The typically
flat-footed child’s flat foot is what is known as a “flexible flat foot.”
That means that the arch is present when the foot is off the ground but it
disappears when the weight is placed on the foot. The thumb rule is that if the
child suffers from pain, discomfort, or any form of limitation inactivity
because of the flat feet, treatment should be undertaken.
The case of children with flat
feet who have no symptoms of any kind and also have no limitations in their
movement and abilities because of the conditions is more complex. Should the
feet be treated in case problems develop later on or should they be left alone
and needless treatment be avoided? Here again, it is best that a foot specialist
takes the call on the course of action to be followed, or if no treatment is
needed.
If no
treatment is advised, that does not mean that the conditions can be ignored.
The child needs to be monitored as he or she ages to see if the condition
improves or becomes worse. Signs of an increase in the severity of the problem
include changes in the shape of the foot, occurrence of pain or discomfort, and
changes in the child’s posture. If the use of orthotics is not
required, then well-fitting supportive shoes with built-in additional arch
support are usually enough to bring the problem under control.
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