Flatfoot-Pediatric
Pediatric flatfoot is a childhood condition in which the arches of the feet are collapsed. This type of deformity makes mobility, and exercise painful. If left untreated, this type of condition can result in permanent deformity, with accompanying chronic pain and instability in adulthood.
Pediatric flatfoot can be broadly categorized into 2 types, flexible and rigid. Flexible flatfoot exhibits normal arches when non weightbearing, However, once weightbearing, the arches collapses. In the case of rigid flatfoot, the arches collapses regardless of the weightbearing status. Most rigid flatfoot will exhibit symptoms.
Symptoms:
Not all children will have symptoms. Some will complain of pain, tenderness, or cramping in the foot, legs, and knees. Some of the symptoms that parents might observe include outward tilting of the heels, awkwardness or clumsiness in walking and difficulty with shoes. Due to the deformity, the child might not be able to keep up with playmates, tires easily, or voluntarily withdraw from physical activity.
Diagnosis:
A careful pediatric history is important. Also important is a complete, and thorough physical exam which include weightbearing and non weightbearing biomechanical exams. Patient’s shoes should be assessed for wear patterns as well. Flatfeet can be associated with issues of the hip, knees, ankles, or both feet.
To further analyze the deformity, X-rays, CT scans, or MRI might be ordered.
Treatment:
For children who exhibit symptoms, physician therapy, shoe modification, anti-inflammatory medication or orthotic devices may be first recommended. If the symptoms cannot be resolved, or if the deformity is severe, surgery can be considered.
It is important to note that babies often appear to have flatfoot, and the symptoms abate with time. If the symptoms do not improve, then stretching exercises, or soft braces can be implemented. If a patient does not exhibit symptoms, typically, no treatment is required. Instead, monitoring, and reevaluation on a regular basis by a foot and ankle specialist is suffice.
Pediatric flatfoot is a childhood condition in which the arches of the feet are collapsed. This type of deformity makes mobility, and exercise painful. If left untreated, this type of condition can result in permanent deformity, with accompanying chronic pain and instability in adulthood.
Pediatric flatfoot can be broadly categorized into 2 types, flexible and rigid. Flexible flatfoot exhibits normal arches when non weightbearing, However, once weightbearing, the arches collapses. In the case of rigid flatfoot, the arches collapses regardless of the weightbearing status. Most rigid flatfoot will exhibit symptoms.
Symptoms:
Not all children will have symptoms. Some will complain of pain, tenderness, or cramping in the foot, legs, and knees. Some of the symptoms that parents might observe include outward tilting of the heels, awkwardness or clumsiness in walking and difficulty with shoes. Due to the deformity, the child might not be able to keep up with playmates, tires easily, or voluntarily withdraw from physical activity.
Diagnosis:
A careful pediatric history is important. Also important is a complete, and thorough physical exam which include weightbearing and non weightbearing biomechanical exams. Patient’s shoes should be assessed for wear patterns as well. Flatfeet can be associated with issues of the hip, knees, ankles, or both feet.
To further analyze the deformity, X-rays, CT scans, or MRI might be ordered.
Treatment:
For children who exhibit symptoms, physician therapy, shoe modification, anti-inflammatory medication or orthotic devices may be first recommended. If the symptoms cannot be resolved, or if the deformity is severe, surgery can be considered.
It is important to note that babies often appear to have flatfoot, and the symptoms abate with time. If the symptoms do not improve, then stretching exercises, or soft braces can be implemented. If a patient does not exhibit symptoms, typically, no treatment is required. Instead, monitoring, and reevaluation on a regular basis by a foot and ankle specialist is suffice.