Most children are born with what may be considered underdeveloped arches in their foot; this is in reality a ‘fat’ foot. It’s simply due to the normal fat distribution at the bottom of the foot. At this age, bones and joints are flexible. Generally, the arch is expected to naturally develop by age 3 or 4. In cases of genetically occurring flat feet in children, there is an improper bone structure, the arch will not develop properly and could cause longer term issues.
What Symptoms are a Problem?
If your child is experiencing flatfoot problems, they may be having
symptoms such as:
- Foot Pain
- Sores
- Pressure on the inner side of the foot
- A stiff foot
- Limited motion
Some children may have trouble verbalizing the pain they experience in their flat feet. If you find your child is withdrawing from sports or other activities due to leg pain, a visit to the doctor may be necessary to diagnose them.
Types of Flat Feet
When considering if your child has flat feet, it is important to note that there are two different types of flat feet in children. The first is flexible flatfoot, which can be identified by a child’s arch reappearing when the child is not standing on their foot. This type is more severe, and progressively gets worse and will lead to damage to other parts of the body such as the knees, hips and back. The second type of flatfoot is called rigid flatfoot, and is actually less severe. Rigid flatfoot in children is less common, and generally diagnosed if a child’s arches do not reappear when they are sitting or standing. This type of flatfoot is typically less painful, and reconstructive surgery should be recommended for children who continue to experience pain.
Will My Child Need Surgery to Correct Flat Feet?
Non-surgical methods of treating flatfoot are generally attempted first. If the child’s flatfoot is genetic and due to misalignment in the feet, these methods may not be very helpful. If pain in the child’s foot persists and doesn’t respond to non-surgical treatments, surgery should be recommended. There are different types of surgery, depending on your child’s particular foot abnormalities, including the possibility of minimally invasive surgery. To properly diagnose your child’s condition, you should see a foot specialist.
While it is normal for children to take time to develop arches in their feet, flat feet in children could be present from an early age. Misaligned feet serve as a major underlying cause of pain and deformity within the foot, but also to the knees, hips and back. Eventually symptoms will occur; it’s not if, it’s when. This can understandably cause concerns and it is good for them to be addressed. Knowing the symptoms to look out for is important, along with education on the types of flat foot problems children experience, and treatment methods available.
