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Flat Foot

Flat foot describes the common end point of any abnormality that causes the arch of the foot to collapse, the arch of the foot is otherwise known as the medial longitudinal arch. Flatfeet can cause severe symptoms or present without symptoms despite appearing to be flat. Flat foot is now considered a normal variant assuming it functions in its normal capacity without symptoms.

Flat feet in newborns and toddlers is normal because the arches haven’t yet developed. Whilst most children develop arches by age 3, some may experience delays or have structural deformities that interfere with normal alignment of the foot bones.

What Causes Flat Foot in Children

Flat feet are commonly associated with genetic disorders that first develop in childhood, including:

  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (a congenital disease that increases the elasticity of skin, joints and blood vessels)
  • Dyspraxia (developmental coordination disorder)
  • Tarsal coalitions (congenitally fused foot bones)
  • Metatarsus adductus (inward-pointing toes)
  • Calcaneovalgus (excessive bowing of the calf bone)
  • Hypermobility
  • Ligamentus laxity (loose-ligaments)
  • Congenital vertical talus (congenital flat foot)

What Are The Common Symptoms Of Flat Foot

Common symptoms associated with flat foot include:

  • Arch pain
  • Hip pain
  • Forefoot pain
  • Muscle cramps
  • Lower back pain
  • Knee pain
  • Muscle cramps
  • Heel pain
  • Limping

How Can Children’s Orthotics Help?

Children’s Orthotics provides a comprehensive assessment for diagnosing flat feet and understanding the cause of the condition. Our assessment can take place at home, at school, at work or at one of our clinics.

We provide ‘off the shelf’ orthotics, these can be supplied quickly, used as a diagnostic tool that accommodates many foot types and can be adapted/modified in some instances.

Should an ‘off the shelf’ orthoses not work for you and your child, we also provide bespoke insoles. These devices are built for purpose and can be fabricated out of different materials to suit your child's needs.

What Types of Orthotics Might Be Effective

There is no definite fix for flat foot, however, many devices exist that can help with pain management and improved gait.

Insole - insoles are most commonly prescribed for flat foot, it is the scientific device most successful at helping with flat foot. Insoles can be made out of many different materials that vary in strength and texture, this is to accommodate different comfort and support levels. Insoles can be designed to fit into different shoes and are popular for cosmetic reasons (they can’t be seen).

Different materials include:

  • EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) - a foam-like material
  • Carbon Fibre
  • Plastic/Polypropolene
  • Polyurethane (PU)
  • Poron - a type of PU
  • Leather
  • Silicon
  • 3D printed materials

Splints

Children's Orthotics provide a range of splinting options that can be provided in more severe cases of flat foot. Our splints are specifically tailored for the needs of children. Splints typically encompass the joints of the foot and ankle to provide greater stability and support.

Splints can be ‘off the shelf’ or ‘custom made’ depending on the clinical need and presentation. They can be made in many colours to make them acceptable to children of all ages. Our range of splints include:

  • SMO (Supramalleolar Orthosis) - Most commonly made from plastic or 3D printed materials and encompass the foot and as high up to the ankle bones.
  • DAFO - Most commonly made from pastic of 3D printed material and encompasses the foot and extend above the ankle bones.
  • AFO (Ankle Foot Orthosis) - Most commonly made from plastic, 3D printed materials or carbon Fibre and encompass the foot, ankle and extend just above the bulk of the calf muscle.

What Might the Assessment Procedure Involve

In the first instance, an appointment would be made with a paediatric orthotist in which a full initial assessment would be conducted. Areas assessed would look at:

  • Skin condition
  • Sensation in the foot and ankle
  • Temperature
  • Ranges of motion (passive and active)
  • Medial arch of the foot
  • Footwear

Your orthotist will ask you questions about your child’s daily activities and medical history. The paediatric orthotist will undertake a gait examination and watch them walk, paying attention to movements at their affected joints and making observations of how their body moves. Following this, your child’s treatment options and goals will be discussed and a prescription made. If required casts/ scans and measurements will be taken.

Any devices that are required will be fabricated using materials chosen specifically to meet their requirements and then a fitting session arranged. All of our prescriptions and fittings are followed by a review to ensure that the treatment is effective and any fine adjustments can be made.

To get in touch or arrange an appointment, you can call us at 0330 088 3949 or email office@orthotics.co.uk.

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