Flexible Flatfoot in Children

Flexible Flatfoot in children

A flexible flatfoot is considered to be a variation of a normal foot. The muscles and joints of a flexible flatfoot function normally. Most children are born with very little arch in the feet. As they grow and walk, the soft tissues along the bottom of the feet tighten, which gradually shapes the arches of the feet. Children with flexible flatfoot often do not begin to develop an arch until the age of 5 years or older. Some children never develop an arch. If flexible flatfoot continues into adolescence, a child may experience aching pain along the bottom of the foot. A doctor should be consulted if a child's flatfeet cause pain.

Flexible flatfoot is common in children. Parents and other family members often worry needlessly that an abnormally low or absent arch in a child's foot will lead to permanent deformities or disabilities. Flexible flatfoot is usually painless and does not interfere with walking or sports participation. Most children eventually outgrow it without any problems.

These pictures show a person affected by Flexible flatfoot, where if the person stands on their toes an arch is visible but otherwise while standing is not visible.

This is another picture of a person with Flexible flatfoot, note the absence of an arch.

Pictures and information from:

"Flexible Flatfoot in Children." OrthoInfo. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Feb. 2016. <http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00046>.

Direct source:
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00046