Flat Feet in a 4yr old-Any Experience?

[whooosh]

DD has definitely got flat feet and finds walking any distance painful and as for running,well it's a disaster.

Took her to a podiatrist who confirmed flat feet but to get insoles made for her would be about £200 per pair and as they are made to measure will have to be replaced every three months

I just cannot afford this and wondered if anyone had a similar problem and were helped by the NHS?

Also wondered if there was anything other than insoles which may help such as exercises etc?

Ds has this, he's 10. I took him to the GP, who referred him to the hospital, his insoles are free! They have to be replaced when his feet grow 2 shoe sizes. My friend's a pilates chic who trains teachers, she recommended some balancing exercises (standing on 1 foot for 15 seconds, then 20 seconds etc.)

Pop and see the GP and save your cash!

DD1 was referred to a physiotherapist and was given exercises to do. Her problem may have been different to your DD, but the GP wasn't in favour of the insoles...

She was 13 at the time, which may have made all the difference, but if I were you I'd go back to the GP and see if there are other options.

Thanks for this.....next feat will be trying to get an appointment with the GP.

Yup, get your GP to refer her to the orthopaedic department at your local hospital. Ds (8) has just been and got himself not only insoles but hideously expensive piedro boots to support his ankles, all courtesy of the tax payers. (they're saving a fortune compared to if he went on to develop back problems or all the other problems that can come with walking badly)

Exercises are also good, but tbh it may well be that exercises alone won't sort his problem.

I would certainly not take the word of a GP on this: the GP is just there to do the referral.

There can be underlying problems, such as hypermobility, so it's worth having somebody check him over.