Are all babies flat footed

Are You Born with Flat Feet, or is it a Development Issue? |

in Foot Care, Podiatry

November 22, 2019

Tagged With: Flat Feet, Foot Pain, podiatrist, podiatrist near me, podiatry, The Podiatry Group of South Texas

Tibial tendon dysfunction – better known as flat foot – is a common condition that is recognized by either no arch or a very low arch, and is often caused by overpronating or rolling the feet inward whilst running, walking or standing. Flat foot is also common in infants. A question often asked of podiatrists is whether one is born with flat feet or is it a developmental issue. The answer to both questions is “yes.” Here’s why.

Being Born with Flat Feet

Typically, babies are born with flat feet. This condition, called “flexible flatfoot” begins to disappear when the child starts to stand and becomes mobile. In most cases, children outgrow this disorder without need for treatment, usually by the age six, as they start to naturally develop an arch. Approximately two in every ten children will continue to have flat feet into adulthood.

“Rigid flat foot” is the result of either a birth defect or from an abnormal connection between foot bones (tarsal coalition). This condition can be painful, causing tendon spasms, difficulty moving the foot up and down or side to side, and an inability to perform activities like running and jumping. Left untreated, rigid flat foot can lead to arthritis as well as excessive pressure on other parts of the foot.

Developing Flat Feet

Flat feet can sometimes result from tightness of the Achilles tendon (the strong fibrous cord that connects the calf muscles in the back of the leg to the back of the heel bone), which can limit the motion of the foot. Treatments include physical therapy to stretch and lengthen the tendon.

Those who have suffered other sorts of injuries may develop flat foot, for example, wearing shoes without sufficient support or going barefoot. Carrying excessive weight can also cause arches to fall; instances include being overweight or obese, or during pregnancy.

Seeking Treatment

When one fails to seek treatment for flat food, expect the condition to worsen with time. Treatments include managing the swelling with anti-inflammatories as well as casting until the tendon heals. A course of physical therapy can help regain range of motion and strengthen the foot; your podiatrist may recommend orthopedic shoes or fit you for custom-made orthotic inserts to provide support for your arches and alleviate stress on other parts of your body.

In children, treatments can include arch supports, bracing, casting, anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy; surgery may also be recommended to treat more extreme cases. It is important to seek advice from a pediatric podiatrist if you think your child may have be flat footed.

Family Foot Care in South Texas

At The Podiatry Group of South Texas, our team of expert staff and providers specialize in all conditions related to foot and ankle care, to include flat foot. If you or a family member is experiencing foot pain or injury, reach out to us today. With locations throughout greater San Antonio, there is a podiatrist ready to help you put your best foot forward. Call the location nearest you or use our online form to request an appointment today.

Flat Feet - familydoctor.org

What are flat feet?

Flat feet is a common condition in which one or both feet don’t have normal arches. At first, all babies’ feet look flat because an arch hasn’t formed yet. Arches should form by the time a child is 2 or 3 years of age. Flat feet, even in older children, usually do not cause any problems.

You may be born with flat feet or develop them over time. Adults may not realize they have flat feet for many years. They may not ever notice if they don’t have symptoms related to flat feet.

Symptoms of flat feet

If your child complains of foot or ankle pain, take them to the doctor. Flat feet in an older child may cause pain in the heel or arch. This condition also may cause pain when your child is walking and running.

Symptoms in adults of flat feet include tired or achy feet after long periods of standing. Feet may also ache following activity, like playing sports or exercising. Flat feet can also cause pain in your lower back, hips, and knees.

What causes flat feet?

In children, most flat feet are caused by loose joint connections and baby fat between the foot bones. These conditions make the arch fall when your child stands up. This is why you sometimes hear flat feet called “fallen arches.” The feet may look like they have arches when your child is sitting or when the big toe is bent backward. But the arch flattens when your child puts weight on the foot.

Rarely, flat feet can be caused by foot bones that are joined together.

In adults, a number of things can cause flat feet. Adult-acquired causes for flat feet include:

Weakened or torn tendons. Tendons offer support to your arches. If you tear a tendon or even weaken it over time, it can cause flat feet.
Rheumatoid arthritis. This type of arthritis can progressively cause deformities in your joints. These deformities can cause flat feet.
Broken bones. Damaging bones in your mid foot can cause flat feet.
Ligament injuries. Ligaments support your bones. An injury to these can impact your joints, which can cause flat feet.

How are flat feet diagnosed?

Your doctor will look at your child’s feet to make sure that the pain isn’t caused by a problem in the hip or the knee. Your child may need to have X-rays. Most often, your doctor probably can tell you what the problem is just by looking at your child’s feet.

If you have adult-acquired flat feet, your doctor should be able to diagnose it by examining your feet. They may ask you to stand and will observe your feet from various angles. Your doctor also may ask you to stand on your toes. Your doctor may also order tests, such as X-ray, MRI, or CT scan to diagnose your flat feet.

Can flat feet be prevented or avoided?

Adult flat feet can sometimes be prevented through good foot care. Taking care of your feet and avoiding injury are important. You may be at higher risk for developing flat feet if you have diabetes or are pregnant. You are also more likely to develop flat feet if you are overweight.

Flat feet treatment

For many people, flat feet don’t cause pain or related problems so there is usually no need to treat them. If flat feet are painful, there are several treatment options. Some of these include:

Stretching exercises
Physical therapy
Supportive shoes
Arch supports
Surgery

Your doctor can help you decide which treatment is best.

Your child’s foot development will be the same whether arch supports are worn or not. High-top or special orthopedic shoes, “cookies,” or wedges are only useful to keep the shoe on your child’s foot. If your child has foot pain because of flat feet, a heel cup, shoe insert, or shoes with support may help.

People with flat feet don’t need to limit activities. If flat feet become painful from overuse, your doctor may recommend you rest them. Wearing a certain style of shoe, walking barefoot, running, doing foot exercises, or jumping will not make flat feet better or worse.

If you or your child has pain from flat feet, some over-the-counter medicines may help, including ibuprofen (one brand name: Advil) and naproxen (one brand name: Aleve).

Living with flat feet

Flat feet are common. If flat feet cause you pain, talk to your doctor. Most of the time, this pain can be managed with rest. Supportive footwear can also help.

Questions to ask your doctor

What is the likely cause of my/my child’s foot pain?
What is the best treatment option for me/my child?
Is there anything I can do to help relieve my/my child’s pain?
Is it safe for me/my child to exercise? What kind of exercise should I/they do?
Will my/my child’s flat feet cause any long-term problems?

Resources

National Institute of Health, MedlinePlus: Flat Feet

A CHILD HAS FLAT FOOT: WHAT TO DO?

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Contents

Should everyone be afraid of foot pathologies?
What is flat feet, its types and causes
Prevention of children's flat feet

Should everyone be afraid of foot pathologies?

According to statistics, about 45 percent of the adult population suffers from flat feet. However, congenital foot pathologies are observed in only 2-3 percent of people. They depend on the intrauterine position of the child and are corrected only through surgical intervention. It turns out that most defects can often be corrected during the period of foot formation (up to 12-14 years old) with quite simple and feasible actions.

From birth and by the time the baby is put on his feet, the feet of all children, without exception, seem flat because of the fat pad that protects the fragile bones of the arch of the foot from injury. The further development of children's legs depends not only on the child, but also on you.

What is flat feet, its types and causes

Accurate diagnosis of "flat feet" is possible with the help of an orthopedist at about 5-6 years old. If your child regularly complains of pain in the legs and back, gets tired when walking, if he is overweight, and his shoes and sandals are run down in one direction, this is a reason to diagnose the feet. You can do this, for example, on a special device on Health Days in Home Doctor stores, and it’s completely free. The mirror plantoscope is designed for visual express diagnostics of foot deformities. Based on the footprint, you will be able to assess the condition of the longitudinal and transverse arches, and experienced consultants will immediately give you recommendations on the selection of orthopedic products aimed at correcting or preventing the identified deformity.

The human foot is made up of 26 bones. It is less mobile than the hand, but its bones are stronger. In order for the foot to perform the functions of a support, a lifting mechanism, shock absorption upon impact, arches are present in its structure. The arches are longitudinal and transverse. The longitudinal arch, running from the metatarsal bones to the calcaneal tuber, is more pronounced. The transverse, located in the forefoot, is formed by the heads of the metatarsal bones. The deformation of the foot, which entails a decrease in the arches, is called flat feet.

Specialists distinguish several types of acquired flat feet, depending on its origin. Rachitic flat feet, traumatic and static. Let's talk about the common causes of children's flat feet. These are:

diseases (rickets, polio) or injuries suffered in early childhood,
endocrine disorders,
hereditary predisposition,

5 sedentary lifestyle0006

excess weight,
lack of calcium and D3, as well as some other trace elements in the child's body,
too long stay in shoes,
incorrectly selected shoes.

Static flat feet, which is mainly discussed in our article, happens, depending on which arch of the foot is more deformed, longitudinal, transverse and mixed (combined). Longitudinal flat feet are well defined by the imprint from the plantoscope, which we talked about earlier. Girls are more prone to transverse, and in women it can transform into Hallux valgus, or a protruding "bone" on the thumb.

Flat feet are not only an unaesthetic appearance of children's feet, but also health problems in adulthood. Arthritis, arthrosis, varicose veins, various curvature of the spine, wear and tear of the musculoskeletal system - these are the possible negative consequences of parental carelessness and the lack of timely consultation with a pediatric orthopedist.

Longitudinal flat feet of the first degree in a child is almost impossible to notice for a non-specialist. After all, with him, the baby’s legs only get a little tired in the evening and swelling of the ankles appears. The second degree of flat feet is already constant pain in the legs, not only in the feet, but also above, up to the knees. The third degree is characterized by headaches and lumbar pain, frequent swelling. Playing sports and just walking cause real torment to the child, the usual children's playfulness and optimism leave him. Many parents go to the doctor only at this stage, while it would be wiser to carefully monitor the baby and not miss the deformation of even the mildest degree.

Prevention of children's flat feet:

1. prevention and treatment of rickets and neurological diseases in babies in the first year of life.

2. active lifestyle.

Children and adolescents should spend sufficient time in the open air, engage in physical education and sports, play outdoor games.

If possible, on uneven and uneven surfaces. Clean lawns with grass, pebbly and sandy beaches, paved with stone and paths warmed by the sun in summer cottages or children's camps.

But what to do if there is a long winter in your area, and the whole family has to spend their holidays in the city too?

4. massage mats will come to the rescue.

Bright and multi-colored, with pebbles or with coconut fiber, acupuncture or play, they will not only ensure the correct setting of the baby's legs, but also relieve him of posture problems, muscle spasms and pain, normalize metabolism , improve immunity and mood of your children. You can just stand on the mats, you can dance or do gymnastics.

5. exercise therapy.

If your child does not like doing routine exercises, you can add an element of play to the exercises or work with him to the music.

Among the preventive movements recommended by pediatricians and orthopedists:

Walking on the heels,
Walking on socks,
Walking on the internal and external set of the foot,
,000
Rise for nasals at 5-8 seconds, holding hands on a support (table, chair, Swedish wall),
Raise of objects from the floor using the fingers,
Skating on the floor of the foot of gymnastic sticks or massage balls,
Walking on the knees or in semi-declining,

6. manual massage.

You can learn massage techniques on your own or book your child in with a professional massage therapist or osteopath. It is important that not only the feet are massaged, but also the calves, ankles and the lumbar area.

7. physiotherapy.

It is carried out mainly in medical or preventive institutions, but if you have a home device, you can do it too.

8. rope or wall climbing.

Most kindergartens and schools have these ammo. But, if possible, you should install a children's sports corner at home. Follow safety precautions and do not forget to lay mats or soft rugs nearby.

9. in case of serious violations - avoidance of heavy loads on the foot.

Whatever the parent's ambitions and children's desires, ballet, running, professional football or hockey should be excluded if such is the doctor's prescription.

10. orthopedic shoes .

Many manufacturers of children's shoes claim that they are orthopedic, without documentary evidence. Orthopedic shoes must have a Registration Certificate and a certificate of conformity. The Home Doctor stores sell children's orthopedic shoes only from reliable manufacturers Sursil and Orthobum. Such shoes will save your children from health and beauty problems in the future, besides, they are bright and beautiful, which kids will like.

Do children have flat feet

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Flat feet in babies is more a myth than a reality. More precisely, all children are born with flat soles, and the arch of the foot is formed later. For some children, by the age of 5-6, and for some even by 10-12.

The arch of the foot begins to form to absorb all movements when the child begins to walk on his own. Flat feet, to some extent present in all children, medicine does not consider a serious flaw. However, parents can help to ensure that the arch of the child's foot is formed correctly.

The correct bend of the foot is formed when walking barefoot on uneven surfaces : pebbles, sand, grass, wooden ladders.

Since today the child mostly walks on flat surfaces such as asphalt, linoleum and laminate, special conditions will have to be created for prevention.

Organize an uneven surface at home: sprinkle nuts (chestnut or hazelnut) on the carpet, hold the baby under the arms and let him walk on the nuts with bare feet. Or for these purposes in the store you can buy a special orthopedic rug.

When a child begins to take his first independent steps, purchase shoes for him with a small prophylactic arch support (a special insert in shoes that gently helps to create the correct arch of the foot).

Make sure your child does some exercises regularly . Walking on the toes and on the heels, rolling from toe to heel (when the socks rise when rolling on the heel), walking on the inside and on the outside of the foot. There is an effective exercise with a sports stick. Put a stick on the floor and put the baby on it so that he can move barefoot with side steps. The stick should remain across the foot.

Article published : 3/29/2016
Last update : 4/21/2019