All Young Children Have Flat Feet. How to Tell When It’s a Problem - By: Dr Alireza Khosroabady DPM

Did you know that everyone is born with flat feet? It’s true. Some of us go on to develop arches, some of us keep those puppies flat.

If your child has flat fee it doesn’t mean he or she cannot grow up to be an outstanding athlete. It also doesn’t mean he or she will grow up with problem feet.

Children have flat feet until about age 4 when the foot arch starts to develop, so if your child is younger than 4, you shouldn’t worry much.

However, if your child is under 15 months and hasn’t started walking yet, or if you’re rug rat started walking when she was about a year old but still prefers crawling, you child could have a problem with his or her flat feet. If your toddler (ages 2-4) says her feet or his legs hurt, you also may want to have your child examined by a podiatrist.

Flat feet can become a problem if the arch is completely flat because this causes stress on her joints, tendons and ligaments. Ignore this as your child ages and he could look forward to tendon and joint problems as he grows.

Once you take your child to a podiatrist, he or she may recommend kiddie orthotics. Purchased already made and shaped for a child’s foot, or custom made, orthotics are placed in your child’s shoe and help correct your child’s flat feet.

If your child is between the ages of 4 and 8 and still has flat feet and complains of foot/leg pain, his flat feet could be becoming a problem and you should definitely take him to a podiatrist. Feet should not hurt; foot pain is not part of a child’s “growing pains.” Pain in your child’s foot is an indication of trouble brewing.

Sometimes, children with problem flat feet may be able to run and jump and play sports, but they’ll tell you they have considerable pain around their ankles once they’ve stopped. If so, be sure to have a podiatrist examine your child’s feet.

As you child reaches the teen years, flat feet may result in tendonitis, with pain at the inside of a child’s arch or at the back of the heel. To treat tendonitis, be sure your child rests and keeps the foot/ankle still. Icing the area also is a good idea. If the tendonitis continues, your podiatrist may recommend orthotics to prevent reoccurrence. Custom orthotics may not be necessary as there are many over-the-county orthotics that work well and give adequate relief. You can find these at sporting good and athletic shoe stores.

Copyright (c) 2010 Dr Alireza Khosroabady DPM

About the Author

Dr. Alireza Khosroabady is a Fellowship trained foot & ankle surgeon. He did his Surgical training in NY and his fellowship at the Rubin institute for Advanced Orthopedics/International Center for Limb Lengthening at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore with world renowned Orthopedic Surgeons. He is practicing in LA, CA . More information @ http://www.fixmyfoot.com you can also request his free book.

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