Flat feet in a 2 yr old, what do you do

[mamadadawahwah]

I have only just discovered my ds's feet are extremely "flat". In fact he is walking "over" his ankles. He was slow to walk and is still a bit clumsy, and maybe this is why.

Am taking him to doctors but anyone know what they "do" with this condition? Can corrective shoe wear help?

[aloha]

Isn't it normal for small children to have flat feet?

[marthamoo]

Yes it is, aloha. They tell you not to worry 'til your child starts school. Ds1 has a range of problems with his feet and legs and had inserts for his shoes - but not 'til he was about 5/6. mama - your name is too complicated to type - wada I would still take ds to your GP but flat feet are normal in tiddlers.

[mamadadawahwah]

I dont know, thats why i am asking. I dont know any other children to compare to at my son's age.

[marthamoo]

(that was meant to be tiddlers, not a typo for toddlers!)

[mamadadawahwah]

well, thats encouraging then. Thanks for the info!

[zaphod]

Ds1 had problems with his feet since birth, and when they corrected those, we were told he would always be flat footed, and to make sure that we always got good shoes with arch supports for him. So far I can't see that his flat footedness has caused any problesm for him - he is 11.

[QueenEagle]

dd is 13 and for almost 2 years has complained of pain in her ankles, knees and hips especially after doing sports involving lots of running.

After she was referred to the hospital for investigation, we were told she is flat-footed and this was likely to be the cause of her pain. Nothing really serious enough to prevent her from doing anything, just niggling pain. She is waiting to be measured to have inserts in her shoes which should correct things with no long term ill effects apparently.

[aloha]

I found this yesterday and thought I'd posted it then.
Flat Feet in Children

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What are flat feet?
Flat feet is a condition in which the foot doesn't have a normal arch. It may affect one foot or both feet. At first, all babies' feet look flat because an arch hasn't formed yet. Arches should form by the time your child is 2 or 3 years old. You should know that even in older children, flat feet usually don't cause any problems.

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What causes flat feet?

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 the child puts weight on the foot.

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Should I take my child to the doctor?

If your child complains of foot or ankle pain, take him or her to the doctor. Flat feet in an older child may cause pain in the heel or arch, or may cause pain when the child is walking and running. 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. Rarely, flat feet can be caused by foot bones that are joined together. In this case, the bones can't move, and the foot hurts. Your child may need to have x-rays, but your doctor probably can tell you what the problem is just by looking at your child's feet.

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Will my child need special shoes or inserts?

Probably not. 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, your doctor may recommend a heel cup or a shoe insert.

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Will some activities make flat feet worse?

No. You don't need to limit your child's activities. If flat feet become painful from overuse, your doctor may recommend rest. Wearing a certain style of shoe, walking barefoot, running, doing foot exercises or jumping will not make flat feet worse or better.

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Can surgery help?

Surgery is not helpful for most patients with flat feet. Rarely, if your child's flat feet are caused by fused foot bones, and if shoe inserts and casts have not helped, surgery may be considered. Your doctor can help you make that decision.

[mamadadawahwah]

thank u aloha, very informative

[milge]

Intersting.My dd was seen by her physio today, who has referred her to get inserts for her shoes to help correct flat feet, I was interested to read aloha's post as it seems to contradict what she said. She said uncorrected flat feet or over pronation, can cause bunions later in life, and can be helped by inserts. She also said that correction can take place from about age 2/3 up until age 5, and after that no further correction, apart from surgery, for bone problems, will help. Will watch this thread - dd's appt for inserts is on 1/8.

[sparklymieow]

My dd1 has cerebral palsy and is very flat footed, she has DAFOs with a arch so it can make her feet correct itsel, but she has had them for 2 years now and she still has flat feet and over pronates. The hospital haven't recommended anything other than the DAFOs