When my youngest started walking, I noticed that it appeared that he was walking on his ankles. His feet are so flat that they pronate, in other words, where his arch is supposed to exist, his foot turns completely downward. I took him to an orthopedic doctor to see if there was anything we could do to prevent surgery or future injuries and I learned that surgery is recommended in some cases, but in most situations, orthotics can be used to treat the condition. In this post, I am sharing a few things you can do if your child too has flat feet.
If your child has flat feet, it is important to take action, because if left untreated, flat feet can lead to a myriad of other symptoms including foot pain, back pain, knee pain, hip pain, bunions and hammertoe. Luckily, early intervention and the wearing of correct shoes and supports can prevent the condition from worsening.
Here are a few ways you can help your child if he or she has flat feet:
- Arch support insoles – I got my child over-the-counter arch supports from Powerstep that I put in every pair of his shoes. Powerstep has insoles for plantar fascitis and flat feet of all sizes. You can even get custom-designed arch supports, moulded to the contours of your child’s feet. While arch supports won’t correct the shape of the feet, they can be used to reduce discomfort.
- Stretching exercises. Because your child has flat feet, they may have a shortened Achilles tendon. Your doctor may recommend a few exercises to help.
- Supportive shoes. A structurally supportive shoe might be more comfortable. My son’s doctor recommended high top shoes with structure around the back to provide ankle support. Again, this will not correct the feet but it will help with discomfort and preventing further damage.
SHOP SUPPORTIVE SHOES
So all in all, if your doctor does not recommend surgery for your child’s flat feet, you can try supports in the shoes. It has helped my youngest son so much! If you would like to learn more about flat feet in children, I love the info that the doctors at Mount Elizabeth shared in one of their posts here.
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