FLAT FOOT IN CHILDREN

Abstract

A flat foot is a foot with a larger contact area with the ground due to a reduction in height or the complete absence of a medial arch.

Pediatric flat feet are most commonly divided into pathological, rigid flat feet and physiological, flexible flat feet.

Pathologically flat foot shows a certain degree of stiffness and significant limitation of movement of the subtalar joint. It often causes difficulties and usually requires treatment either conservatively or surgically. Physiologically flexible flat foot is movable and soft, and is more of a cosmetic than a functional problem. It accounts for ∼95% of flat feet in children and is predominantly asymptomatic. In asymptomatic patients, there is no evidence to support the preventive role of insoles, orthoses, or surgery to delay or eliminate possible future symptoms. Early placement of insoles, which support the arch of the foot does not affect its height at a later age.

Severe forms of flexible flat feet can cause pain and functional problems over time and then require treatment.

The general recommendation for the prevention of flat feet is to support natural patterns of movement in infancy that will allow proper development of the arches, walking without shoes and regulating body weight.

Despite its wide distribution, there are no harmonized classifications and guidelines for the treatment of childhood flat feet in the literature, and further research is needed to establish universal guidelines for the classification, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of flat feet in children.