What is flat feet? How to recover after flat feet are diagnosed?

What is flat feet

When talking about flat feet, we must first understand what the "arch of the foot" is: the arch of the foot is an arc-shaped structure on the inside of the sole of the foot, which can help us absorb energy and avoid shock when walking; if the arch of the foot disappears or collapses when lying down or standing, this phenomenon is called "flat feet."

If you have the habit of walking with flat feet, be careful of these problems:

If the child's flat condition has not improved, what is more worrying is that due to the collapsed arch of the foot, the child will be less durable when walking, and will be more likely to have leg soreness. He may also be more likely to have foot pain during exercise. It will also affect the child's sense of balance, making the child more likely to walk with his feet turned inward, and more likely to trip or fall, etc., which is not good for the child's safety and gait development.

There are two types of flat feet: functional vs structural:

Flat feet can generally be divided into two categories: "functional" and "structural". Functional flat feet means that when a child lies flat or lifts his feet, his feet still have an arch shape, but when he bears weight (standing), the arch becomes flat. This is "functional flat feet".

However, experts also remind parents that they don’t need to worry too much, because most children’s arches start to develop at around two years old, so it is normal for children to have no arches before the age of two. After two years old, it starts to develop slowly, and sometimes it will not be fully developed until the age of six or even ten. Another type of flat feet is "structural flat feet", which means that no matter whether the child is lying or standing, his arch will not be seen (that is, the arch is flat). If this is the case with this type of flat feet, parents may need to spend more time to observe.

Functional: The arch of the foot is present when not bearing weight, but disappears when bearing weight. The arch of the foot usually develops normally between the ages of 2 and 6.

Structural: Even without stepping on the ground, no arch is visible, which may indicate a bone abnormality in the foot and may require medical attention.

How to observe possible problems with your child's arch development

In daily life, parents can actually observe whether their children have flat feet. Experts suggest that if the inner side of the shoes worn by children always wears out faster, then you can pay attention to the development of the arch of the child's foot. In addition, if the child walks with his toes turned inward, or often complains about sore feet, easy to fall, etc., parents can pay special attention to whether it is a problem with the arch of the foot that causes these behaviors.

My child likes to walk on tiptoes. Should I stop him?

Experts point out that standing on tiptoes is a very controversial action, but in fact, it is very natural for children to stand on tiptoes in the process of development, because by standing on tiptoes, children can see more. In addition, the action of standing on tiptoes also provides children with great vestibular and proprioceptive stimulation, which are actually the senses that children need very much during their development.

Therefore, if a child walks on tiptoes, they are actually just trying to find the feeling or playing. Experts suggest that you should really worry about your child's tiptoeing if the child always walks on tiptoes. At this time, you may worry about whether the heel is too tight. If this situation persists, it is recommended that parents go to the rehabilitation department or orthopedic clinic to let the doctor help judge.

Is flat feet hereditary? Can it be prevented?

There are many reasons for flat feet, some of which are congenital and some of which are acquired. The congenital part may be more difficult to prevent, but the acquired part is actually something that both parents can pay attention to. For example, try not to let your child wear shoes that do not fit. Shoes that are too big, too tight, or too soft are not conducive to the development of the child's arch.

What can I do if I'm diagnosed with flat feet?

If parents are worried about their children's flat feet, experts suggest that they can do some activities with their children to help develop the arch of the foot. For example, let the child exercise more to help develop the arch of the foot and strengthen the leg muscles. You can also get more exposure to different foot stimulations, such as playing with children to clamp towels with their feet, hook towels, and wrinkle towels. You can also play with children to turn the soles of the feet, that is, to walk on the edge of the soles of the feet. You can also use playful guidance methods to let children walk in a pile of quilts or on a pillow mountain, which can help the development of children's arches.

in conclusion:

Parents are also reminded that the arch of the foot is a process of development for children. Starting from the age of two, most children can grow a perfect arch of the foot smoothly. If parents are really worried, they can ask a doctor or therapist to help confirm the child's condition. There is no need to let the child wear corrective shoes immediately, because corrective shoes will provide support for the child, but will limit the development of the child's feet!