Advice for Flat Feet

[TheLittleShirt]

I feel awful that I have only just discovered that my DD 16 has flat feet. She does performing arts but has always had a problem with the dance aspect. She had aches in her foot the other day and after visiting her GP was informed that she has flat feet. They suggested she use insoles in her shoes, but I did not go in with her so do not know if they mean anything specific. Any body else's DC have this problem? Could this have affected her dancing? Any help appreciatated.

I have a family member with flat feet.

Ideally she needs to be referred by her GP to a specialist in orthotics who should be able to recommend where to get custom made orthotic insoles. They are expensive but last a long time (years).

www.webmd.boots.com/foot-care/fallen-arches

Custom made orthoses to go in shooes are the best idea. Alternatively makes like Ecco, Hotter, Merrel offer some general ones that do this.

Both my dcs have flat feet - they both have custom fit orthotics and have exercises to stretch muscles and correct their gait.

My daughter was referred after having many injuries in her feet and ankles (as a gymnast) and it was discovered she had flat feet. She has insoles that are the standard arch lifting ones you can get off amazon etc. She also does various exercises as recommended by the physio.

Please please please get your GP to test her for hyper mobility.

Flat feet are often one sign of laxity in the ligaments, but it can affect lots of other joints. I was diagnosed with flat feet very young but only recently with hyper mobility, and have had pain and other issues for years.

Yep we they both have hyper mobility too, it's really important that they need to stay physically strong all over to keep everything where it should be.

Thank you for your advice. I just looked up symptoms of Hypermobility and she does indeed seem to fit this description. I will take her back to GP for further advice.

Good for you. Hope she gets good help.

On shoes, I can't think of a teenager on earth who'd wear Ecco, Hotter, etc. But very supportive trainers (from Nike, Brookes, and the like) can be very helpful. You just do need to get the supportive ones because the fashion is for free running or whatever the term is for letting your foot do its own thing. That's exactly what the likes of us don't need!

She needs to wear jazz shoes for college, but out of school she does favour broghes/ Doc Martin type shoes.