Flexible Flat Feet In Children: Not A Problem

Main Category: Bones / Orthopaedics
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 10 Oct 2009 - 2:00 PST

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What exactly are "flexible flat feet"? And if a child has them, what should be done? Shevaun M. Doyle, M.D., pediatric orthopedist at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, has the answers.

"When standing, children with flexible flat feet do not have arches along the inner borders of their feet. However, when they stand up on tip toe or sit down with their feet dangling off the examining table, they reconstitute well formed arches," explains Dr. Doyle.

As for treatment, pediatric orthopedists generally do not recommend any for the condition. "Most flexible flat feet are painless, do not impede a child's athletic ability or normal growth pattern, and do not cause long term deformity or disability. A majority of infants with flat feet will develop arches, even when standing, by five years old; this is due to tightening of the soft tissue structures in the feet that occurs with weight bearing activities and walking," said Dr. Doyle. "Special shoes, orthotics or foot pads are not necessary in most cases."

About Hospital for Special Surgery

Founded in 1863, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is a world leader in orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation. HSS is nationally ranked No. 2 in orthopedics, No. 3 in rheumatology and No. 24 in neurology by U.S. News & World Report (2009), and has received Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In 2008 and 2007, HSS was a recipient of the HealthGrades Joint Replacement Excellence Award. A member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and an affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS provides orthopedic and rheumatologic patient care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center. All Hospital for Special Surgery medical staff are on the faculty of Weill Cornell Medical College. The hospital's research division is internationally recognized as a leader in the investigation of musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases.

Source: Hospital for Special Surgery