How to recognize flatfoot on children 2017/06/01

Today we’ll pay attention to our children’s feet.

Flatfoot, also known as fallen arch, is an incorrect position which damages the morphology of the body. This means that the arch of the foot, meaning, the curve on the sole of the foot, lowers until touching the ground.

Body weight discharges on the ground in an abnormal way, in a way that feet support more than they can handle. Looking at the prints left by a normal foot and a flatfoot, we will notice the difference immediately.

Until the ages of 7 or 8 many children have flatfeet since they are still on a development phase, for which it would be called a physiological flatfoot.

However, if after this age limit we can see that the foot hasn’t normalized, it’s the case of going to the pediatrician who will redirect them to an orthopedist.

The orthopedist will take one first look and a podoscopy exam, called baropodometry, to analyze the support of the foot and to decide if a correction template and/or special exercises are prescribed to better the muscles of the foot. In more severe cases surgical intervention can be valued.

There isn’t a specific sports that can help with the normal conformation of the foot: every sport works great and stimulate motor skills.

Flatfoot doesn’t imply in any way disability problems or motor difficulties. So, to eliminate any doubt it’s best to contact your pediatrician, and don’t be scared as one day your little ones with flatfeet will be normal adults

feet