Pediatric Flat Feet Care for Kids

What You Need to Know

Understanding pediatric flatfoot and how it is evaluated and treated.

Understanding Pediatric Flatfoot

Flatfoot is common in both children and adults. When this deformity occurs in children, it is referred to as pediatric flatfoot. Although there are various forms of flatfoot, they all share one characteristic: partial or total collapse of the arch. Flatfoot can be apparent at birth or it may not show up until years later.

Pediatric flatfoot can be classified as symptomatic or asymptomatic. Symptomatic flatfeet exhibit symptoms, such as pain and limitation of activity, while asymptomatic flatfeet show no symptoms. These classifications can assist your foot and ankle surgeon in determining an appropriate treatment plan.

Most children with flatfoot have no symptoms, but some have one or more of the following: pain, tenderness or cramping in the foot, leg and knee; outward tilting of the heel; awkwardness or changes in walking; difficulty with shoes; reduced energy when participating in physical activities; or voluntary withdrawal from physical activities.

In diagnosing flatfoot, the foot and ankle surgeon examines the foot and observes how it looks when the child stands and sits. The surgeon observes how the child walks and also evaluates range of motion of the foot. Because flatfoot is sometimes related to problems in the leg, the surgeon may also examine the knee and hip. X-rays are often taken to determine the deformity’s severity, and sometimes additional imaging and other tests are ordered. If you notice any of these signs in your child, schedule an evaluation with our team so we can determine the right path forward.

Treatment Options for Pediatric Flatfoot

If a child has no symptoms, treatment is often not required. Instead, the condition will be observed and reevaluated periodically by the foot and ankle surgeon. Custom orthotic devices may be considered for some cases of asymptomatic flatfoot.

When the child has symptoms, treatment is required. The foot and ankle surgeon may select one or more nonsurgical approaches based on your child’s needs:

Activity modifications. The child needs to temporarily decrease activities that bring pain and avoid prolonged walking or standing. Orthotic devices. Custom orthotics fit inside the shoe to support the structure of the foot and improve function. Physical therapy. Stretching exercises, supervised by the surgeon or a physical therapist, provide relief in some cases. Medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation. Shoe modifications. The surgeon will advise you on footwear characteristics important for the child with flatfoot.

In some cases, surgery is necessary to relieve symptoms and improve foot function. The procedure or combination of procedures selected will depend on your child’s type of flatfoot and degree of deformity.

Our goal is to guide growing feet to a happy future, whether that requires immediate treatment or long-term supervision. Whenever your child needs expert foot and ankle care, the team at Desert Foot and Ankle is here to help you find the right plan.