Is your child suffering from Paediatric Flatfoot? Paediatric flat foot is the flattening of the arch in a child and occurs due to the tarsals moving posteriorly when the legs are internally rotated. Now, let’s get started with the post.
What Causes Paediatric Flatfoot?
The most common reason children develop flatfoot is because they were born with a muscle imbalance that allows their feet to roll inward too far. When pronation occurs at a young age, it often damages the foot’s bones, joints, cartilage, and tendons.
Signs of Paediatric Flatfoot:
Some of the signs and symptoms of paediatric flatfoot include:-
- Poor balance and splaying of the feet
- Foot pain
- Tiredness or fatigue in the feet and legs when walking
- Difficulty walking on tiptoes
- Pain in the knee or hip
- Change in the way the child walks
- An abnormal arch when the child is sitting
Treatment of Paediatric Flatfoot:
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Medication:-
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, help reduce pain and inflammation.
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Stretching exercises:-
Stretching the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia may help relieve pain and improve Paediatric flatfoot deformity. Physical therapy is recommended for this.
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Modify activity levels
If your child’s flatfoot is painful, they may need to avoid sports and other physical activities that may make the pain worse.
Immobilization – In more severe cases of paediatric flatfoot, a short leg cast or boot may be used to immobilize the foot, allow healing, and reduce pain.
We hope this article on paediatric flat foot has been helpful for you. We are aware that there are a lot of questions regarding the best management of paediatric flatfoot still unanswered. If you have any queries about paediatric flatfoot or this article, contact Dr Chetan Oswal at Orthowin Clinic, Pune.
Dr. Chetan Oswal is an Orthopedic surgeon with exclusive expertise in the foot and ankle area. He has had his advanced surgical fellowship from the United kingdom. Complicated foot and ankle surgery are his forte. Dr. Chetan Oswal with his specialized training in foot and ankle reconstruction offers minimally invasive keyhole surgery for foot and ankle problems which enables patients to recover quickly & resume work/duties/sports at the earliest.