What is Flatfoot?
There are various arches in the sole in the normal anatomy of the foot. These arches formed by the alignment of the foot bones are supported by muscles and ligaments. The loss or absence of the longitudinal arch in the inner part of the sole is called flatfoot. It is called “pes planus” in the medical literature. Flatfoot often attracts the attention of the families, and because of parents’ concerns, children often wear insoles unnecessarily and are subject to similar treatments.
The foot arch usually cannot be seen due to the thickness of the fat tissue on the soles of the children prior to the walking age, and the family try to make a diagnosis of flatfoot for the child who is yet not able to walk. However, when the child begins to walk, it is important to know that the fat tissue on the sole of the foot will become thinner and the child will most likely have a normal foot anatomy. Therefore, when flatfoot is suspected, the child should only be monitored, and a doctor should be consulted if the flatfoot is not lost. Special shoes and insoles used during this process will not contribute to this process.
Selection of Shoe and Insole for Flatfoot
The majority of flatfoot seen in children of walking age are considered to be flexible, and the definitive diagnosis is made around 4 years of age. The flatfoot will usually disappear at these ages with the development of the ligaments in the child’s foot, and the normal anatomy will be obtained.
Boots and insoles recommended by the pediatric orthopedic doctor due to flatfoot are not intended to improve flatfoot, but are given to increase the walking comfort of the child.
In a rare form of flatfoot, the foot arches have not been formed congenitally, and these arches cannot be formed by hand during the examination performed by the pediatrician. When this condition is suspected, further examinations and special treatment methods are used.