Thursday, January 30, 2014

Is it Normal for a Toddler to Have Flat Feet?

Every parent that has a painful flat foot is afraid that their child might inherit their foot type. It is normal for a child's foot to appear flat up to about the age of 2 due to a thick layer of baby fat that fills the arch area. As long as the child is otherwise healthy, and the foot is flexible and free of pain, then no treatment is necessary even if you think it may look "too flat" to be normal. Many times they actually inherited your spouses or grandparent's feet and got lucky!!

A child's arch becomes much more obvious around the age of 3 when that baby fat pad disappears. At this age it is still normal to see a "low" arch when standing, but their foot should have a good arch when sitting or lying down.

When a child has a severe flat foot, you will usually notice not only a low arch but an inward bowing of the inside of their ankle and their Achilles tendon. They look like they have a nice arch when non-weight bearing but it completely flattens out when standing. This is usually a flexible developmental flat foot and can lead to postural complaints, "growing pains" and poor muscle development.

In rare cases, some children are actually born with a malformation of the ankle bone that causes a rigid flat foot with the appearance of a "rocker-bottom" foot. These are usually evident within the first few months of life with a rigid foot.

If you are worried that your child has an inherited flat foot or is complaining  of foot and leg pain; time to visit the podiatrists at FAANT for an opinion. Contrary to popular belief, foot and leg pain in children is never normal; and most kids will not grow out of flat feet! There are simple changes in shoe gear and inserts as well as physcial therapy that may help your child run, jump and play with their friends without pain!

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

For most of my life, I've dealt with having flat foot pain. I have tried multiple procedures and things to try and get the pain to go away. would you happen to know of anyone that could help me with my flat foot pain near Melrose Park?
http://www.elmhurstpodiatry.com/library/1813/FlatFeet.html

Unknown said...

Having Flat feet is no longer a hindrance in pursuing a healthy, balanced life. The availability of dynamic and need-specific footwear makes mobility easy and comfortable. You just have to be smart in choosing the best running shoes for flat feet. Balance the pros and cons and make your choice based on practicality and affordability but don’t sacrifice your postural condition for cheap, inappropriate gear. best running shoes for flat feet

Unknown said...

It's good to know things like this so that parents can take better of their kids. I'm not a parent yet, but I plan on keeping things like this in mind so that I can take good care of my children. It's good to have the amazing medical technology and knowledge like this to help us all have better lives.

http://footandanklemedicalcenter.com

Unknown said...

My daughter has been having a lot of foot pain and I don't know the reasoning. This is some great information, thank you for sharing! I think it's time I get her foot checked out. What do they do for treatment?
Holly James | http://www.advancedfootclinic.org/

Unknown said...

This is some good information. I haven't had problems with being flat-footed, but I have been worried that my son will have that problem. It is good to know that being flat-footed is common in toddlers. I had been considering taking my son into a foot specialist, so this saved me a lot of time. http://www.footanklesurgerynyc.com/foot-procedures

Unknown said...

My grandson is rather flat footed. He's been complaining of foot pain lately. Maybe he should go to the podiatrist?

Susan Hirst | http://www.harapodiatrists.com/family_podiatry_covina_CA.html

Unknown said...

I am glad that I found this article. My daughter is two years old, and she still has flat arches. It is such a relief to learn that this is common. I am going to schedule an appointment with a foot doctor just to be safe. She is on the upper end of that range, so it can't hurt.

http://www.drlbilling.com/

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness! That looks like it hurts really bad. Does this only happen in the beginning stages of growth, or can this happen to older children as well? I just want to make sure I keep an eye out for it, because it would not be fun for a child to grow up with that kind of foot problem. http://galleriapodiatry.com.au

Mike Lintro said...

My older brother realized he had flat feet when he was in elementary school. My parents don't even know where he got it from. We don't even have a history of family with flat feet. I'm not sure what they did, as I was just a little boy, but he got some special shoes or something, and is now an adult, and doesn't have a problem. http://thefootandanklecarecenter.com/

Unknown said...

I didn't know that flat feet could be so evident on a child that young. These pictures are hard to look at. The toddler in the first picture looks like they have a lot of strain on their ankles. I'm glad there are ways to help children with these conditions.

http://www.millcroftorthotic.com

Unknown said...

Thanks for the post. I agree that if your child is complaining about pain in his/her feet then you should take them to the doctor. I have had feet problems ever sense I was a kid. I wish I would have seen a doctor sooner.

http://www.southlakepodiatry.com.au

Unknown said...

I'm really glad you explained why toddlers look like they have flat feet. I was really worried that my daughter inherited flat feet from her mom, but her feet are flexible and she never complains about them. I'm sure her feet will develop arches as she grows. This article has given me peace of mind, thank you. http://www.morrisonpodiatry.com.au/about

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the easy to follow information and pictures. I have been worried about my toddler. I noticed that when he stands, his feet pronate a bit. I am glad to hear that it is not abnormal for the arches to appear reduced when standing. It is probably still a good idea to take him to see a podiatrist though.
http://houstonfootankle.com

Unknown said...

Is it bad if your kid has flat feet? I don't know too much about it, but I would like to take my son into the podiatrist anyway. I think it would be good to talk to one and see what is going on. http://www.quinnspodiatry.com.au/about-us

Unknown said...

My feet looked a lot like the kid's feet in the first picture. My son has similar feet now. I remember it wasn't bad when I was a kid, but later in life, I had a lot of hip and knee pain because of my feet. It seems like it would be easier to get his feet fixed while he's still a kid instead of later in life. http://familyfootanklephysicians.com/foot-care/

jwaynebest said...

According to the article parents shouldn't be too concern when they notice that their children have flat feet. Apparently, it's normal, but, what about when yeas passed and their feet remained flat?. What kind of treatments are recommended?
http://www.podiatrycenterrichmond.com/Service-Areas.html

Unknown said...

Making sure that your feet are healthy is very important. When I was a kid I wasn't able to have blood drawn from my foot. This resulted in a lot of concerns with the doctors. Making sure that your kids have healthy feet can be a very big part in their overall development. http://www.alliedanklefoot.com/our-physicians.html

Unknown said...

This is relieving to know! My wife was a little worried that our son was going to grow up with flat feet because right now his feet are flat. She wanted to see if there was any sort of surgery they could do to correct the problem, but it will be good to let her know that he is still too young to tell yet. I am guessing that next year or so, we should be seeing a difference in his feet if they are fine then? http://www.calgarypodiatrist.com/en/about_us.html

Anonymous said...

Like some of the other comments have said, it is important to check with your doctors about your children's feet. Going by what the article said, most kids will not outgrow flat feet and it is something that needs to not be ignored. I would suggest taking a trip to your local foot doctor if you think the problem is going to be persistent. http://www.manhattanpodiatry.com

Unknown said...

Like you point out in your post I was afraid my child would have my flat feet. She is only 1, and I am glad to find out that it is probably the baby fat that is making her feet flat right now. I will check again when she is 3 to see if she indeed has flat feet, and needs custom foot orthopedics. http://www.westmorelandfootdoctor.com

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I didn't know that flat feet could be so evident on a child that young. These pictures are hard to look at. The toddler in the first picture looks like they have a lot of strain on their ankles. I'm glad there are ways to help children with these conditions. Regards, plokščiapėdystės gydymas

Joey Tywin said...

Interesting article. For those looking for more information on foot conditions in adults, resource at FixFoot.

Joey Tywin said...

Wanted to add to the previous comment that http://www.fixfoot.com is a good place to go.

Unknown said...

I had no idea that callus's can cause so many problems, when they are constantly rubbed on when a person has no feeling or poor circulation. This makes me more cautious about foot care as a disabled person. Regards, kojos kauliuko skausmas

Steve Finnell said...

THE GOSPEL IS THE GOOD NEWS BY STEVE FINNELL

The gospel is the good news, but what is the good news? The good news is that those who hear and obey the gospel are saved from the penalty of sin.

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which you received, in which you also stand , 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached, unless you believed in vain. (NASB)

The apostle Paul said the gospel saves. Paul said you have to hold fast to the gospel or you have believed in vain.

Did Paul preach a different gospel than Jesus? No he did not.

After Jesus was resurrected from the grave He preached the gospel plan of salvation. Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.(NASB)

Yes, those who deny that being immersed in water is part of the gospel plan of salvation are denying the gospel that Jesus and the apostles preached.

There were men who believed in vain. Galatians 5:4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.(NASB)


Galatians 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!(NASB)

The apostle Paul said those who deny that immersion in water is part of the gospel will be accursed. Church leaders today say those who pervert the gospel should be part of joint evangelistic efforts and joint good works in the community.

Galatians 1:8 Let God's curses fall on anyone, including myself, who preaches any other way to be saved than the one we told you about; yes, if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let the be forever cursed.(The Living Bible Paraphrased)

Paul and the apostles preached the gospel plan of salvation.
FAITH: John 3:16
CONFESSION: Romans 10:9
REPENTANCE: Acts 3:19
WATER BAPTISM: Acts 2:38

GOSPEL IN A NUTSHELL: Mark 16:16


Why do church leaders teach false doctrine and participate in practices condemned by the apostles.

1. Fear of losing their positions in the church.
2. Ignorance of Scripture.
3. Self deception.
4. Pride.
5. Lack of prayerfully asking God for His truth.
6. Peer pressure.
7. Trusting men, Bible commentaries, and their own opinions more than they trust God and His words that are written in the Bible.

YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY BLOG. http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com




Posted by Steve Finnell at 11:55 AM No comments:
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Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing this and letting us know about this strange fear and phenomenon among parents. I actually notice that my soon inherited my long, and flat in appearance feet. A lot of people have stated their worry about him having flat foot, but none of those people are parents. I myself do not have flat feet I have voiced to them, and do not experience the pain they talk about, I do have a less prominent arch which is somewhat hard to see.

Eric | http://www.walkwithoutpain.com.au/contact-us/podiatrist-hamilton/

Unknown said...

My son inherited my foot type, and his feet appear flat just like mine. The thing is, even though most people do not see it he has a prominent arch, and curved instep which is not present in people who actually have the flat foot disorder. This of course should not affect my son negatively except when he is looking for shoes that fit his exact foot type, a shoe with a flat layout will cause pain in the foot as well as the back.

Eric | http://www.balancepodiatry.com.au/locations/mackay

Dr. Micheal Nirenberg said...

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Richard Warfield said...

Great post. Interesting article that has shed light on which shoe insole is better for your child who is having flat feet that gives them a complete rest after wearing these arch support insoles. Thank you Keep sharing and keep us updated.

Allen Jhon said...

There are lots of children's orthotic insoles in the market but, KidSole is one of the best children orthotics insoles dealers on the web. If your children are complaining about their foot pain you should buy premium quality children's orthotics insoles from KidSole.com. Your children will forget their foot pain while using these children orthotics.