Flat feet
Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for education purposes only.
Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to
make sure this information is right for your child.
What are flat feet?
Most normal feet have an arch on the inside of the foot. Some children have flat feet, also known as fallen arches. This is when the arch on the inside of the foot does not develop. It can be common for other members of your family to have flat feet. Nearly all toddlers are flat footed and flexible flat feet are considered normal at this age. The arch on the inside of the foot develops as the child grows.
What is the cause?
Nearly all children with flat feet have flexible flat feet. Softening of the ligaments that hold the bones together causes flexible flat feet. This is known as ligamentous laxity (looseness of the ligaments). Children with ligamentous laxity are often "double jointed". This means they can bend their fingers, knees and elbows backwards without pain, and even rest their thumb on their forearm - something that most of us can't do.
What problems will occur?
In the past being flat footed was thought to cause a lot of foot problems. In fact, the army used not to accept soldiers with flat feet! It has been learned in the last 30 years that most people with flat feet have no more foot problems than others. However stiff flat feet can be painful and need treatment.
What treatment will be required?
Most children don't need shoe inserts (orthotics), as they do not make any difference to the development of the arch. Orthotics are only sometimes used in older children who have pain. These children often have other problems besides the flexible flat feet. The type of shoe won't change the natural growth of the foot. Shoes are worn to protect our feet, but cannot help feet to develop properly. The right shoes for your child are ones that fit them (ie. those that are not too tight) and those that you can afford.
- Most children with flat feet will not need treatment.
- Orthotics do not help the development of an arch in the foot any better than a child’s natural growth.
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The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Tel: (02) 9845 3585
Fax: (02) 9845 3562
www.chw.edu.au
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Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick
Tel: (02) 9382 1688
Fax: (02) 9382 1451
www.sch.edu.au
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Kaleidoscope, Hunter Children's Health Network
Tel: (02) 4921 3670
Fax: (02) 4921 3599
www.kaleidoscope.org.au
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© The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick
& Kaleidoscope, Hunter Children's Health Network - 2005-2008.
This document was reviewed on Thursday, 5 October 2006.
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