Does your child have flat feet?

Pes Planus (also known as flat feet), is a condition where the arch of the foot is collapsed or does not develop. The inside surface of the foot is in contact with the floor when standing causing “flat feet”. All children are born with flat feet and the arch usually develops in children between the ages of 3 to 6.

Types of Flat Feet

A flexible flat foot refers to a foot that has the ability to form an arch but flattens out when putting weight on that leg. This is the most common type, and can be confirmed by tiptoeing or checking your child’s foot in sitting to see if a natural arch re-forms.

A rigid flat foot tends to be in a fixed position and feels stiffer. This is due to the anatomical changes in the bony structures of the foot. Some indicators of a rigid flat foot would be difficulty tiptoeing, frequent falling, or pain in the feet, knees and hips. If this is the case and symptoms are severe, it may be best to see a specialist.

Risk Factors:

Although children tend to develop an arch by age 6, in many cases this does not occur. This can be because of:

Hypermobility in the ligaments of the foot and ankle
Poor stability in other joints such as the knees and hips
An increase in body weight can place a higher load on the arch resulting in it collapsing
Frequently wearing shoes before the age of six. This reduces the time a child is barefoot and has time to develop foot musculature and motor control

Treatment Options:

Typically most children with flat feet don’t experience pain. However, physiotherapy can help with reducing susceptibility to secondary joint problems and potential injuries as well as improving overall foot posture and walking pattern. This is done by: