Flat Foot in Children and Its Treatment
Index
What is Flatfoot in Children?
What Causes Flat Footed In Children?
How to Treat Flat Foot in Children?
Is Flatfoot a Childhood Disease?
Which shoes should flat-footed people prefer?
Can Children Get Flat Footed With Exercise?
What Activities Should Children With Flat Foot Avoid Avoid?
How Is Flat Foot Diagnosed?
Flat feet are considered normal in infancy; however, it is a condition that can cause orthopedic problems if it continues as the child gets older. Flat feet in children usually decrease with age. However, flat feet that do not improve with age may need to be treated by specialist physicians. So what are flat feet? How to treat flat feet in children? You can read the rest of the article to find out the answers to these and similar questions about flat feet in children and its treatment.
What is Flatfoot in Children?
Flat feet, known as pes planus in the medical literature, is a common orthopedic problem in childhood. There are 3 arches in the foot, namely the transverse and longitudinal arches. Arches in the foot give the foot its arched structure. One of them is the medial longitudinal arch, which is formed by special structures (such as foot bones, tendons) that allow the foot to function effectively. This arch is located between the heel of the foot and the first three toes. Flat feet is a problem seen as a result of this medial longitudinal arch collapsing during pressure and thus flattening. When the feet of people with flat feet are viewed from the outside, it is noticed that there is no arch in their feet and the feet have a flat appearance. Normally, babies in infancy have flat feet. The most important reason for this is the formation of arches, namely arches, in childhood. However, in childhood, these arches cannot form as they should, or if these arches collapse for any reason afterwards, flat feet can be seen in children.
What Causes Flat Footed In Children?
Flat feet in children usually appear in two different ways. The first of these is called flexible flat feet. In these cases, the arch or hollow structure in the foot can be seen while the child is sitting. However, when the child stands up, the foot is straight. In another flat-footed type, the child’s feet are flat both while sitting and standing. So what causes flat feet in children? Although the causes of flat feet in children are not known for certain today, some studies suggest that genetic factors are effective. In addition, some problems in the Achilles tendon and muscles can be counted among the causes of flat feet in children. The Achilles tendon is the anatomical formation that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Flat feet often do not show any symptoms. However, the most important finding is flat and archless feet. In addition, some children may experience pain in the feet, ankles, knees, hip joints or calves. In addition, children with this disorder may get tired much more quickly when walking.
How to Treat Flat Foot in Children?
In the treatment of flat feet, the age of the patient and the type of flat feet are important. Especially in the case of flexible flat feet, treatment is usually not needed unless the patient has severe pain. Arches in the feet continue to develop until the age of 10-11 in children. For this reason, surgical treatment of flat feet in children who do not have serious problems is generally not recommended. One of the most important causes of flat feet in children is Achilles tendon problems. For this reason, treatment can be started with exercises for Achilles stretching, such as walking on tiptoe. In addition, non-surgical methods that can be applied in this period can be listed as follows:
If the child has pain in the foot or leg due to flat feet, the specialist doctor may recommend arch supports that adapt to the foot, in other words orthotic devices, to alleviate the pain. These devices can be adjusted to support the child’s foot curves.
In childhood, shoes with orthopedic features that support the child’s foot structure can be preferred.
Physical therapy administered by experts in the field can help relieve a child’s pain.
During this period, it is a better choice for children to do less strenuous sports such as walking instead of heavy sports such as jogging.
In children with excess weight, more pressure is applied to the foot and this may increase the severity of the pain. Weight loss under the control of a physician who is an expert in the field of children with flat feet problem can alleviate their pain.
The aim of flat feet treatment is primarily to reduce pain. For this reason, surgery is not usually used. However, in case of uncontrolled pain, surgical methods can be used if the doctor deems it necessary. Surgical methods are aimed at eliminating anatomical problems such as shortness of the Achilles tendon, the presence of bony protrusions on the back or front of the foot, and the problem of fusion in the bones.
Is Flatfoot a Childhood Disease?
Flat feet are generally considered normal in infancy. With the advancement of the child’s age, the foot bones complete their development and the archless appearance of the foot is largely lost. However, flat feet is not just a disease specific to children. Some cases of flat feet begin in childhood and increase in severity with advancing age. Some cases of flat feet occur in later ages. Flat feet can be examined in two subclasses: congenital and acquired flat feet. Flat feet that occur in advanced ages are considered as acquired flat feet. Because factors such as obesity cause excessive pressure on the foot, it can lead to acquired flat feet.
Which shoes should flat-footed people prefer?
While there was a common belief that orthopedic shoes would improve the foot structure of people with flat soles in the past, some studies in recent years suggest that shoe choice is not important in the treatment of flat soles. In the case of flat feet in children, no treatment is usually needed. However, in both children and adults, flat feet can cause complaints such as pain and difficulty in walking. In this case, orthopedic shoes may be recommended to relieve pain and enable the person to move more easily. In addition, special insoles that support the heel part placed inside the shoes can also help relieve pain.
Can Children Get Flat Footed With Exercise?
One of the most important causes of flat feet in children is the shortness of the Achilles tendon. Experts suggest that exercises known as Achilles stretching exercises can help alleviate complaints related to flat feet. These; It includes exercises such as walking on the toes, heels, walking by pressing the inner and side parts of the foot, dances such as ballet, ball rolling under the feet, walking without shoes on different floors. Such Achilles stretching exercises can also help strengthen the muscles of the sole of the foot. However, it is important that these are done under the control of a physiotherapist who is an expert in the field, in order not to cause a negative situation such as disability.
What Activities Should Children With Flat Foot Avoid Avoid?
Children with flat feet may tire more quickly than other children. In addition, since the bones are not fully developed yet, activities such as jumping can cause aggravation of pain due to flat feet. For this reason, it is recommended that children with flat feet stay away from activities that will put more pressure on their feet. Instead, activities such as dancing on tiptoe, walking, swimming can help children develop the soles of their feet.
How Is Flat Foot Diagnosed?
Patients who apply to the health institution with the suspicion of flat feet are first subjected to a physical examination by specialist physicians. During the physical examination, the doctor examines the patient’s foot and may ask the patient to walk in certain positions. In addition, the bones and joints of the foot can be examined in detail by using imaging methods such as x-ray, computed tomography, and MRI.
Flat feet are initially seen in all babies. For this reason, it is recommended that parents do not worry if babies have flat feet. Because in childhood, the child’s foot bones continue to develop and this situation often disappears. However, flat feet in children continue in some cases despite advancing age and can cause severe pain. For this reason, when flat-footedness is noticed in children, it will be the right behavior to apply to a health institution without wasting time and get treatment.