Flatfoot (Children)

Description


You may think your child is as adorable as a little baby duck,
(except perhaps, if they’ve just gotten into the flour canister for
the fourth time this morning), but there are a few characteristics
you probably hope they don’t share with these charming aquatic baby
birds. Cuteness? Yes. Feathers? It would be completely disturbing if
they got these. Fun little quack-like noises when they’re babies?
Definitely. Flat feet? Well… maybe, maybe not.

Flat feet in children isn’t actually all that uncommon, and it’s not
necessarily a cause for concern, particularly if the child is quite
young. In fact, almost all children appear to have flat feet during
the first few years of life. Their feet are pretty heavily padded in
fat, and the structures of the foot are still transitioning from
cartilage to bone. In fact, the arch of the foot doesn’t really tend
to develop until children are about two or three years old.

Also, some people just have feet that are a bit more flat than
normal. If your child has feet that remain flat (or that flatten
while the child is standing) past the age of about three or four,
but doesn’t experience any symptoms (i.e. pain and other problems)
of flatfoot, he or she is more likely to be on the flat end of the
normal foot spectrum. However, in cases like these, it’s still a
good idea to bring your child in to see the podiatrist about once
a year, just to keep an eye on things. (If your child starts
growing feathers, you may need to take him or her to a different
specialist.)

Symptoms


Unfortunately, some children do experience pain or other symptoms as
a result of their flat feet. Your child may complain of pain in his
or her foot or ankle. Additionally, because flat feet tend to alter
the way the foot and leg are aligned, and thus affect all the parts
of your body involved in walking, your child may experience pain up
into his or her leg, knee, hips, or even lower back. This pain is
also likely to increase when the child participates in physical
activities such as extended periods of walking, running, or other
activities.

There may also be some changes or irregularities in the appearance
of your child’s foot. Flat feet sometimes can cause the forefoot
(the toes and front region) to turn outward. This means that when
you look at the child’s foot from behind, you may notice that you
can see more toes on the outside of the foot than normal. The heel
is also sometimes affected, and the bottom may appear to tilt
outward. Your child’s gait may become awkward or painful. Shoes may
not fit properly, or may be painful to wear. And your child may
refuse to participate in some physical activities (although this
shouldn’t be confused with a stubborn desire to watch more TV than
is quite healthy).

Diagnosis


While in many instances flat feet may not be symptomatic (i.e. they
don’t cause pain), it’s usually a good idea to see a podiatrist for
yearly checkups if your child’s flat feet persist past the age of
four or so.

In cases where your child is experiencing discomfort (or
occasionally cries because he or she doesn’t want to be like a duck
anymore), you most certainly want to take your child in for
treatment. Your podiatrist will probably examine your child’s foot
or feet while the child is standing, sitting, walking and running.
The doctor may also ask your child to stand on tiptoe, or
conversely, to lift the toes up. Because flat feet may sometimes be
caused by a tight Achilles tendon, the podiatrist may test this
tendon for tautness. He or she may also examine the child’s knees or
hips, since problems with flat feet tend to affect these areas of
the body.

Observing the patterns of wear on both your child’s feet may also be
helpful (i.e. checking for calluses), as is seeing the wear on your
child’s shoes (the inner side of the shoe’s heel may become more
worn than usual).

A family history of flat feet is not uncommon, so, in addition to
getting your child’s medical history, your podiatrist may inquire
about any members of your family who have had flat feet, either as
children or adults.

X-rays may also be used to evaluate your child’s feet (and children
are sometimes completely excited about the prospect of seeing their
own bones).

Treatment


So, it’s been established that your child has flat feet. Unlike duck
babies (whose flat feet are specially fashioned for their
environments), human children may need to be treated in order to
prevent the development of more severe problems as they get older,
and as those still-flexible structures in the foot start to solidify
into their adult forms.

The good news is that if your child isn’t in pain, treatment is
often not required, although in some cases, your podiatrist may
recommend orthotics (prescription shoe inserts) in order to make
sure the child’s foot develops properly. Orthotics are also often
useful in treating symptomatic (painful) flatfoot by giving the foot
proper support, and helping the whole walking mechanism (foot, leg,
hip, etc.) to function as it should. You can also purchase shoes (or
make them if you just happen to manufacture shoes in your spare
time) that have high tops and padded arches, although you should
consult with your podiatrist to see what shoe modifications would be
most helpful. (Your child can also decorate the outside of these
shoes with stickers of ducks, just to show solidarity with their
quacking counterparts.)

Another step in treatment may be to help your child reduce or modify
activities that are painful. This may mean temporarily trying to
keep them from walking around a great deal or standing too long (and
yes, given the energy level of many children, this may be more
difficult than it sounds). In short, this may not be the best time
for a three-day hiking expedition. Once your child’s feet have
rested and recovered a bit, and once his or her feet have the
support they need, it may be possible to return to normal
activity.

Sometimes anti-inflammatory medications may be helpful to reduce
pain associated with inflammation, although you always want to
follow your doctor’s advice when taking medication (particularly
when children take meds). If a tight calf muscle is contributing to
your child’s flat feet, then calf-stretching exercises may be
recommended.

In very severe cases, surgery may be a viable option to improve your
child’s symptoms. Your podiatrist can consult with you on what is
best for your child.

So, your child isn’t a little duck after all. In fact, with the
right treatment, your little ones will probably not resemble ducks
in the least. Except maybe for their propensity to follow you all
around the house in a line. But hey, that’s kind of cute anyway,
isn’t it?

Call 719-543-2476 today to schedule your appointment!