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Almost every child is born with flat and flexible feet. Once a child is born, they grow exceptionally fast during the first year of their growth period. However, some children might not have fully developed arches until the 3-4 years after they first start walking. Our article aims to inform all parents everything they need to know about flatfeet.
Every child is born with flat feet because their muscles, bones, and ligaments are yet to develop fully. It is not until your child reaches the age of 3 that you might start noticing the formation of the main arch of the foot, aka medial longitudinal arch.
Medial view of the foot / medial longitudinal arch diagram
This arch continues to develop until the age of 10. And in many situations mature arch foot isn't attained till the age of 7. In layman's language, it is normal for a child to have flatfeet before a certain age (3-4 years) so parents should not worry too much. Flat foot naturally corrects itself as the child grows, and the muscles start to strengthen. But if it doesn't then you must consult a pediatric orthopedic doctor.
In younger children, flat feet are often a normal part of development. Concern usually begins when flat feet remain painful, rigid, or continue without improvement as the child grows.
Children with flat feet in Gurgaon, Delhi are often referred to as 'Pes Planus' in medical terms. This means a fallen arch of the foot that comes in full contact with the surface when they stand.
People with flat feet can be further classified into dichotomies of:
One common characteristic between both symptomatic and asymptomatic is the partial or total collapse of the arch. Pediatric flat feet, as mentioned earlier, can be divided into symptomatic and asymptomatic. Understanding this classification can undoubtedly help you and your surgeon understand the best treatment for your child.
Parents are concerned about this deformity, but it is essential to know majority cases of flat feet among kids in Gurgaon, Delhi aren't problematic and do not require any primary treatment.
Comparison of flat foot and normal foot
Flatfeet only require a treatment when it is associated with pain or is hindering the child's ability to perform in daily chores.
Some of the common symptoms for the latter would be:
Many disorders cause flat feet. Some of them are extrinsic and some underlying issues related to health.
Here are some most common conditions that cause flat feet:
Vertical Talus and Congenital Oblique Talus are two forms of foot deformities that many children are born with and could be a possible reason for flat feet.
Both of these can be treated with surgical and non-surgical methods that have been discussed further in this article.
Based on the physical appearance and symptoms, your child could be suffering from either of the following types of flat feet:
Flexible flat feet is the most common type of flat feet that isn't associated with any problems or pain.
In this condition, your soles touch the ground completely when you place them on the surface. Here, the arches of the feet can only be seen when you lift your feet off the ground.
In the majority of the cases, flexible flat feet do not require any medical intervention or even support.
However, in some rare cases when medical intervention is called for then the primary focus is laid down on the root cause of the problem and how one cure can fit, followed by a secondary emphasis on the flat feet.
Flexible flat feet
Rigid flat feet is the less occurring type of flat feet that might bring in some complications with it.
The main reason for this is the abnormal development of the foot. It is popularly known as "true flat foot". Important to mention that rigid feet is not a common phenomenon in children and often occurs in adults only.
If not treated then this type of flat feet and in association with time and age cause stiffness, pain, and swelling. In some rare cases, it can even develop into arthritis.
Anyone suffering from true flat feet in Gurgaon, Delhi ultimately might have to get surgery done. One of the most common reasons for rigid flat feet is a tarsal coalition; it is a state in which two or more bones are abnormally connected with each other.
Tarsal coalition can be treated with the help of resection surgery that can help you reduce the pain and preserve normal foot.
Rigid flat feet
Flat foot can be treated with the help of both invasive and non-invasive techniques with the former one being used less frequently than the latter.
With this, we hope you were able to garner all the information that you were looking for regarding flat foot.
Treatment and support visual
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