Daughter with Flat Feet

Flat feet are genetic and contrary to many rumours by older generations, not a problem. If your daughter is not complaining, and her doctor isn't worried, why the fuss?

I had flat feet as a child and had to wear corrective shoes, however, something else they had me do that my Mom swears worked was too pick up marbles with my toes and drop them in a bowl on the floor. I remember doing it every day and loved it. It seemed like a game to me. Now, my feet are fine with nice arches and no problems. Can't hurt to try it...

Get a referral from a different pediatrictian.

Chiropractor- check with International Chiropractic Pediatric Assn for local referral.
best, k

I took my son at 2 years old to an Orthopedic. He told me things usually work themselves out by 6 years old and if they don't to bring him back at that age. So I'd take her in for an evaluation.

Everything I've read on the issue has said if a child still has flat feet at the age of 6, it is very important to see a pediatric podiatrist. After age 10, flat feet are permanant. There are some pretty impressive articles on the web. In one article I read that they can put a small pin into the child's foot to correct the issue. This prevents all of the other issues that occurs with flat feet later in life. I thought I had saved the link, but I can't find it. Sorry. :(

Flat feet come from unintegrated primitive reflexes like Babinsky and Foot Tendon Guard. Take her to a pediatric podiatrist and they can probably stetch the gastroc muscle in casts and the physical therapy afterwards so she does not get foot and ankle pain down the road later. If you want to integrate the reflexes then check out masgutovamethod.com, take a course and do it at home. It's not hard and takes care of many issues within the child as far as emotions and learning too.

I would take her. I just went through this with my 6 year old and she went to see and othro surgeon and they gave her inserts to try before going with cutom ones. she loves them and says her feet feel much better. she would complain of leg pains and her legs tiring when playing soccer, but no more... If she plays any sports, she will start to complain.

hi there,
yes, you should take your daughter to the podiatrist. i noticed that my son's feet were very flat at 2 and our doctor suggested a podiatrist. he's been wearing orthotics for six months now. your doctor should definitely be in orthotics, this may not bother her now or cause her pain but it surely will as she gets older.

as an aside, i am very surprised that your pediatrician did not say anything. i certainly don't know them at all but you may want to rethink who you are seeing if they wouldn't even suggest that your daughter sees a specialist (since it's an area that they would not know about). hope i didn't overstep my bounds, just giving you my two cents.

good luck :) i would recommend our podiatrist but we saw him when we still live in jersey.

There isn't really anything that they can do. My husband and I both have flat feet, we call them Fred Flinstone feet, and all 3 of my kids do too.
The only thing that is an inconvenience is none of us can wear Nikes.

Yes, a podiatrist and/or orthopedic will recommend a show with good support/instep. The constant pressure will affect the knees and spine.
Good luck

Yes. I have flat feet and as a kid I had to get special shoes from a store that specialized in putting in orthopedic arches.

I'd rather you be safe than sorry.

Posture is critical and begins with feet and arches. Take her to a good foot doctor. It took fifty years for me to become pained and caned, and it could have been avoided.

I would. My parents didn't catch my acute flat feet and one day my feet hurt so bad to walk on them I couldn't stand it. The sides of my shoes were constantlywalked on in an attempt to regain a little bit of their use. I would do something before they do start to hurt. It took them 22 years to find mine, but once they did it was kinda late. She can get the special shoes now and thank you later :)

A.,
If you need a referral from your pediatrician, I would be very firm and tell him that YOU WANT the referral. If you don't need it, I would absolutely recommend you take her as soon as possible. I think the podiatrist would be best, my made some insert soles for my shoes because I have flat feet too.
Don't wait, take her.
Best

I had flat feet as a child. She may not complain, but it does hurt if you stand or walk for a long time. I started walking on the sides of my shoes to avoid the pain. My pediatrician put something called mushrooms in my shoes. You need to find someone who will do this. It gently supports the arches and helps them to grow in the proper shape. I no longer have flat feet all the time, but my arches still do fall when I am not wearing supportive shoes. (they go flat when I step down) It doesn't bother me most of the time, but I definitely wear nice shoes when I am walking for any length of time. I think it definitely would be worse had I not had the mushrooms as a child. Definitely pursue this! Someone else said this was a genetic thing, I just want to say that no one else in my family has flat feet. Regardless, treatment will keep her feet from hurting.

I absolutely recommend you take her to a podiatrist. I have flat feet and as a child I never noticed anything uncomfortable/wrong, etc. But as an adult, it created bunions, back problems, even headaches. It is a good idea to consult a professional early so you can set your daughter in the right path to avoid to many issues in the future. She likely needs insoles for her shoes, which once broken in, don't bother one bit.

I'd recommend a podiatrist.

I've had problems with my feet since I was a child (flat feet, bunions, arthritis etc). I've had both of my bunions removed - one by an Orthopedic Surgeon, the other by a Podiatrist.

By far, the better procedure was done by the podiatrist. Interestingly, my Family Practitioner referred me to him - usually, there's some friction between MDs and other health care professionals such as podiatrists. However, his opinion is that I needed to go to someone who specialized in feet. So, I found a great podiatrist and have been a patient for the past 6 years.

You can always get the opinions of each. But, I'd say at her age, because of her growth plates not having fused, her best option is to wear orthotics to give her feet the support they need in lieu of good arches.

Good luck.