Toddler with Hypermobile Flat Feet

I would look into primary reflex integration therapy. Here's a link that explains all the reflexes: http://www.moveplaythrive.com/Un-integrated_Reflexes.html Scroll down to the portion that talks about oral/grasping & foot reflexes. Unintegrated reflexes cause a lot of challenges, but fortunately integrating them is simple movement therapy. Our son has developmental delays and we've been doing this therapy for 4 months, and we've seen huge improvements.

HTH,
B.

all children are flat footed at this age - but it sounds like yours is a little more severe.
I think that orthoses will probably correct it, the surgery for flat feet is so extensive, and involves fusion on the joint of the feet and ankle, its only normally done in people with rheumatoid and spina bifida - people with severe motor and joint disease - does your daughter have an underlying motor disease?
almost every case of flat feet in toddlers rectifies itself by the age of 7 - so I would try the orthoses, and making sure you choose a shoe with good support like a tennis shoe.
I would not do any surgery till you get a second opinion.

(podiatrist since 1995)

Both my kids are flat feet (as well as my husband). My daughter we detected when she was in preschool because the teacher noticed her stance. She has worn orthodics since 4 she is now 7. If she is barefoot all day, her body hurts some where. My son was complaining about his legs hurting (5 yrs old) and I took him in and he was really flat. The dr said that parents who do not take care of it early for their children, the children will suffer later, so all you can do is keep her in the shoes with orthodics as much as possible. I do not know if it improves over time, but since it gets really bad if you so not attend to it, then maybe it does.

The thing that I found helps them when they are hurting is I take a big adult sock (like a winter kind) and blow the hair blower in it (if it opens up big) or on it, enought to make it hot, and then I put it on them. It make them feel much better.

My cousin had flat feet that they did not diagnose until he was older. They did surgery when he was a teenager and he has done very well since. I agree with the podiatrist below who said to get a second opinion but I would do that for any surgery on my children. Good luck with it but I just wanted to offer encouragement that my cousins surgery did turn out well and resolved a lot of pain he had for years prior.

I saw a child had the procedure done and she was on the show The Doctors. It looked like a promising surgery that completely corrected the flat arches. They might still have a link or info on the doctor(s) that do it on their website. The best of luck to your little one.

I know this isn't the same-but, my husband is super flat feet. He ruptured his achilles and then went to physical therapy. he now has an arch on that foot. I assume it was all therapy. could that work for your daughter?

I'm 47 years old and was born with severely flat feet - my ankles turn in so much it looks like they are not attached to my feet. When I was little we went to the podiatrist and they told my mother I should have surgery. She said no surgery as long as I could walk. So they gave me metal arches to put in my shoes and sneakers (these were lots of fun at summer camp). The arches hurt me more than anything and did nothing to help me. Aside from being ugly, my feet haven't given me any problems except finding shoes that are sturdy enough so my feet don't stretch them inward (I can't wear soft shoes like loafers). Recently some shoes give me some ankle pain so I started wearing Dr. Scholls orthodics and that has helped. I'm not sure if "hypermobile" describes my feet but I've been fine with no surgery and a soft arch in my shoe. If you daughter is in pain then I would consider surgery but if not, I would leave her alone. It takes a long time to recover.

Hope this helps.

I have had severe flat feet all my life. I would wake up in the middle of the night and crawl down the stairs or down to my parents room in tears because my feet would be hurting. And when your feet are out of line, it puts you knees, hips, back, shoulders all out of line. I feel for your daughter but it is good that they have recognized it now. With the foot inserts the bones may mold to it and give her an arch. I had surgery later in life when i was 17. They took bone from my hip and broke my arch bone and reconstructed an arch. I was in two casts during the summer putting me in a wheelchair for 6 weeks. Then therapy for another 6 or so weeks. Before I had surgery I did all the things you worried about. I did gymnastics, danced (including point but didnt succeed very well because you just cant get a good point without an arch) played softball, marched in marching band, etc. To this day I'm not quite sure if the surgery did any good. I have more of an arch then I did before the surgery but since I have gained weight it just flattens things out again. I hate shoe shopping; I can't wear the lil strappy shoes because my ankle hangs over. I get blisters from some shoes, too. I am so thankful that my son has my husbands feet and hope that any future children will be that lucky too. Good luck with your lil one!

I saw an episode of the doctors where a girl had a small implant inserted into her ankle which helped to correct her severely flat feet. My hubby has the rollover ankles, so I payed special attention, and now that my 3 year old seems to have his tendencies I'm going to start talking to the ped about it. I don't remember what it is called but it was a seemingly simple procedure and is recommended in younger kids because their bodies aren't so set as an older child or an adult.
I wish I could remember the name of the procedure, but I'm sure you could find it if you're interested, just go to the doctors website and search for flat feet. I imagine it should come up.

I have flat feet. They are not a problem unless I go without arch support for a long time. If that happens, I get Plantar Fasciitis for awhile, but arch supports (or wearing Birkenstocks - any shoes with good arch support) clears it right up again. As a teenager I took ballet and spent a year on point. I've never had to have surgery. I've sprained my ankle a few times over the years.
http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/toddler/toddlerproblems/fl...
From what info I can find online, most kids have flat feet until they are 5 or 6 years old. Arch supports are a good way to giver her feet support, but as she grows, you are going to have to buy new ones to keep up with her growth. Try not to be too alarmed. Just keep an eye on it as she grows. If you want you can get a second opinion from another podiatrist.