Flat feet in children are a common condition in both Asia and Western countries. If left untreated, they can lead to serious issues, affecting the musculoskeletal system, foot mobility, and causing persistent discomfort and pain. However, when detected and treated early during the critical developmental years, children can recover quickly and enjoy unrestricted movement in their daily activities.
What Is Flat Feet Syndrome?
Flat feet, also known as fallen arches, is a condition where the foot lacks a natural arch when standing on a flat surface.
The arch of the foot is formed by muscles and ligaments that connect the bones in the front, middle, and back of the foot, providing stability and support. Most newborns naturally have flat feet because their foot structure consists mainly of soft tissues. By the age of 2 to 3, the arch typically begins to develop. However, if a child’s arch has not formed by this stage, they are considered to have flat feet.
How to Recognize Flat Feet in Children
Flat feet in children can be identified through several signs, including:
- A flat sole with the inner arch of the foot pressing against the ground when walking or standing.
- When standing facing a wall, the ankles appear curved inward, and the knees tend to touch.
- Parents can perform a simple test by wetting the child’s feet with colored water and having them step onto sand or white paper. If the footprint shows the entire foot without a visible arch, it indicates flat feet.
- Children with flat feet may frequently complain of pain in the feet, ankles, or knees. They may also appear clumsy or struggle with physical activities.
- An unstable or awkward gait, with steps that tilt or lack proper balance.
Causes of Flat Feet
Flat feet can develop due to several factors, including:
Wearing Flat-Soled Sandals or Flip-Flops from a Young Age
Regularly wearing footwear with flat insoles can prevent the ligaments and muscles in the feet from developing properly, leading to arch collapse.
Genetics
Are flat feet congenital? In some cases, flat feet can be inherited. If one or both parents have flat feet, their child is more likely to develop the condition. Additionally, children with naturally softer bones and joints may be more prone to flat feet.
Obesity
Excess body weight increases pressure on the feet, causing the arches to collapse and leading to structural deformities.
Loose Ligaments
Ligaments connect bones and play a crucial role in maintaining the foot’s arch. When ligaments are overly flexible or weak, they fail to support the bones properly, resulting in a flattened arch.
Leg Length Discrepancy
If one leg is longer than the other, the arch of the longer leg may flatten to compensate and maintain balance. This imbalance can also contribute to spinal issues such as scoliosis.
Other Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, hypermobility syndrome, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and muscular dystrophy, can affect muscles, nerves, and connective tissues, increasing the risk of flat feet.
Is Flat Feet in Children Dangerous?
Flat feet can lead to serious complications if not detected and treated early. The foot arch plays a crucial role in weight distribution, balance, and absorbing shock from the ground. Without a proper arch, children may experience overall body imbalance, restricted mobility, and an increased risk of falling due to reduced foot flexibility.
Additionally, flat feet in children can cause several other complications, including:
- Foot Deformities: Over time, flat feet can cause the inner edge of the foot to press against the ground excessively, leading to structural deformities.
- Knee Inflammation and Osteoarthritis: The misalignment of the foot structure forces the lower leg bones to rotate abnormally while walking or running, putting stress on the knee joint and increasing the risk of inflammation and osteoarthritis.
- Back and Neck Pain: The imbalance caused by flat feet can extend to the spine, leading to discomfort and pain in the back and neck.
- Increased Risk of Other Conditions: Flat feet are associated with a higher likelihood of developing scoliosis, big toe deformities, bunion-related inflammation, stress fractures, chronic leg pain, foot arthritis, heel spurs, and plantar fasciitis.
When Should Children Be Evaluated for Flat Feet?
The feet serve as the foundation of the entire body, and delaying treatment for flat feet can lead to long-term complications.
Children should be evaluated for flat feet as early as possible, ideally between ages 3 to 7, when treatment is most effective. This period is considered the “golden age” for correcting flat feet, as proper intervention can help children develop normal foot function without limitations in daily activities. After this age, treatment becomes less effective, and children between 7 and 12 years old may require extended use of orthotics to achieve noticeable improvements.
Therefore, if parents notice signs of flat feet in their child, they should seek medical evaluation as soon as possible to maximize treatment success during this crucial developmental stage.
How to Treat Flat Feet in Children
There are several effective treatment methods for flat feet, including:
Using Orthotics
If detected early, orthotics provide a safe and effective way to support and correct flat feet in young children.
These specially designed insoles, customized to fit each child’s foot, are placed inside shoes or sandals to recreate the foot arch, provide support, and prevent complications associated with flat feet.
- For children aged 3 to 7: Wearing orthotics regularly can effectively restore the foot’s natural arch and improve overall foot alignment.
- For children aged 7 to 12: Arch correction becomes more challenging, requiring prolonged use of orthotics for noticeable improvement.
Important Note:
Parents should avoid purchasing mass-produced orthotics from the market. Every child’s flat feet condition is unique, with potential differences in arch height between the left and right foot. Using improperly sized or unsuitable insoles may result in an arch that is too shallow or too deep, reducing treatment effectiveness.
To ensure the best results, parents should take their child to a specialized medical facility for proper evaluation and custom-made orthotics tailored to their child’s specific needs.
Flat Foot Surgery – When Is It Necessary?
Surgery is a treatment option for flat feet in children, but it is generally not recommended for children under 8 years old or those with mild deformities due to the potential risks and long recovery time.
So, when is surgery necessary?
Surgical intervention is only considered in severe cases, such as:
- Significant foot deformities
- Severe structural abnormalities in the bones
To reduce the need for surgery, parents should have their child screened for flat feet early and seek treatment during the golden age for the highest success rate.
Physical Therapy – Treating Flat Feet at Home
Physical exercises can help support the treatment of flat feet in children by strengthening foot muscles and improving arch stability. Some effective at-home exercises include: Heel stretches, Arch lifts, Rolling a tennis ball under the foot. However, physical therapy alone is not enough to fully correct flat feet. For the best results, it should be combined with orthotics to provide proper support and alignment.
How Long Does It Take to See Results from Flat Feet Treatment?
The duration of treatment depends on the method used, the severity of the condition, and the child’s age at the start of treatment. If treatment with orthotics begins between ages 3 to 5, combined with proper physical therapy, the foot arch can typically develop normally by age 7. For moderate to severe cases, children may need to wear orthotics until ages 10 to 11 for optimal correction.
Where Is the Best Place to Treat Flat Feet in Children?
ACC Chiropractic Clinic – A Trusted Center for Flat Feet and Musculoskeletal Treatment
ACC Chiropractic Clinic is a highly reputable medical facility specializing in the treatment of flat feet and musculoskeletal disorders, trusted by thousands of successfully treated patients.
Why choose ACC Chiropractic Clinic?
- Personalized Orthopedic Insole Design: Doctors at ACC use advanced Cad-Cam foot scanning and thickness measurement technology from Switzerland to precisely assess each child’s flat feet condition. Based on these measurements, doctors create a custom 3D foot simulation to design orthotics with the correct size and stiffness to best support and restore the foot arch.
- Experienced Doctors & Tailored Treatment Plans: ACC has a team of highly specialized foreign doctors from the U.S., France, South Korea, and New Zealand, ensuring accurate diagnoses and optimal treatment plans for high treatment success rates.
- Regular Follow-Ups Every 6 Months: Patients receive check-ups every 6 months, where doctors monitor progress and adjust the orthotics to accommodate the child’s growth.
- Guided Exercises to Improve Treatment Results: Children receive personalized exercise instructions to promote proper arch development and enhance the effectiveness of their flat feet treatment.
- Nutritional and Physical Therapy Guidance: Throughout treatment, parents receive guidance on proper nutrition and at-home physical therapy to support their child’s growth, height development, and overall physical health.
Check out ACC’s simple at-home exercises for treating flat feet:
What Should Parents Pay Attention to When Their Child Has Flat Feet?
When a child has flat feet, parents should consider the following:
- Avoid flip-flops or sandals on hard surfaces: These shoes lack proper arch support and can worsen flat feet.
- Choose properly fitting shoes: Select shoes that fit the child’s feet well—neither too tight nor too loose—and avoid shoes with excessively thick or thin soles.
- Encourage regular exercise: Help strengthen the muscles and ligaments in the feet through regular physical activity.
- Do not reuse old orthotics: Foot size and shape can change over time, so it’s important to replace insoles as needed to ensure proper support.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flat Feet in Children
ACC experts address common concerns from parents:
Can Children with Flat Feet Run?
Yes, children with flat feet can run, but it’s important they wear the right type of sports shoes with insoles that properly fit their foot arch.
What Type of Shoes Are Best for Children Wearing Orthotics? Are Sandals Suitable?
ACC experts recommend sports shoes as the best option. These shoes provide the necessary balance, stability, and flexibility for the feet.
Can Children Who Wear Orthotics But Are Less Active Still Benefit?
For the best results, children should engage in exercises to strengthen leg muscles and promote overall body movement. Simply wearing orthotics without being active will not maximize treatment effectiveness.
Dr. Wade Brackenbury (ACC Chiropractic Clinic): “Children should wear orthotics whenever they move, even when walking around the house. The more often they walk, the quicker their flat feet will improve.”
Does the Child Need to Follow a Special Diet Along with Wearing Orthotics?
Yes, a well-balanced diet is crucial to support bone health. Nutrients such as vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium are essential for strengthening bones. Ensure the child gets enough: Vitamin D (through sunlight or foods like milk, eggs, and fish), Calcium (found in milk, yogurt, and green leafy vegetables), Magnesium (present in nuts, chia seeds, and cashews)
Early treatment of flat feet in children yields the highest recovery success. Therefore, parents should actively monitor for signs of flat feet in children between ages 3 to 7. If abnormalities are detected, it’s important to take the child to ACC Chiropractic Clinic for proper treatment, to relieve pain, and to prevent future complications from flat feet.
