Although a flatfoot deformity is characterized by the arch on the inside of the foot being more flat than normal, diagnosing flat feet in children can be challenging. When a young child first starts to walk, the foot is chubby and baby fat makes it difficult to visually evaluate the bony architecture of the foot. So, while not readily apparent to moms and dads, our board certified podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Specialists, P.C. have the professional training and the tools necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.

Why is Early Diagnosis of Flat Foot Deformity Important?

As a child grows, the foot sheds much of its baby fat but the foot itself is still largely made up of softer cartilage which is more easily impacted by flatfoot deformity and could result in permanent structural changes that will continue into adulthood. Due to the fact that flatfoot deformity causes some instability in how a child walks, it can cause pain to the arch, heel, and ankle from normal kid activities like running and jumping. The rolling inward of the arches of the foot associated with flatfeet can also cause the leg and knee to turn inwards, leading to pain in the lower back, hip, knee, or leg.

Evaluation and Treatment

Your podiatrist will take a family history (flatfeet can be hereditary) and ask questions about your child’s feet and what you’ve noticed. He or she will then examine the foot while the child is stationary and also during weight bearing activities such as walking or running. A digital x-ray may be ordered, which can be performed in either our Monroe or Lambertville office. If the diagnosis is positive, your foot doctor will decide on the best treatment approach which may include the following:

• In mild cases with no pain or symptoms, no treatment may be recommended other than monitoring with yearly check-ups.
• For more moderate cases, supportive shoes and/or padded inserts may be used to increase arch support. If necessary, more elaborate functional foot orthotics may be prescribed.
• Exercises to stretch the calf muscle can be helpful because tight muscles in this area can worsen a flatfoot deformity.
• In extreme cases of severe flatfoot deformity that does not respond to other treatments, surgery may be needed.

If you would like to have your child evaluated for Flatfeet, use our online appointment scheduler to request an appointment.