Foot Falls – Managing Flatfeet in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Flat feet are rarely symptomatic in children. The reason for consultation is usually parental anxiety and peer pressure. Majority of the patients and their parents needs to be treated with assurance. The clinical assessment of the foot must however be performed systematically in order to detect signs of symptomatic flat feet that are detected early and treated within time. Asymptomatic flexible flat feet constitute the majority of these feet and need to be assessed for a tight tendo achilles. Feet with a tight tendo achilles are most likely to become symptomatic and may need some form of treatment. The treatment is primarily conservative however in exceptional circumstances joint sparing osteo tomies of the feet are recommended Evaluation of the foot should detect any signs of a rigid flat foot. The cause of rigidity if established early can be addressed to prevent long term morbidity. Keywords: :Flexible Flatfoot, Rigid Flatfoot Achilles tendon contracture, Foot Osteotomies.