Flexible flat foot: reasons for treatment?

Abstract

Background: Flexible flat foot is one of the main reasons for pediatric orthopedist consult. In spite of the evidence showing it as a benign condition with spontaneous resolution, the prescription of insoles and corrective footwear is very frequent. 

Objective: to determine the morphology of the foot longitudinal arch at different ages and its impact in children activities. 

Method: Analysis of foot shape in 600 healthy chilean children (324 boys and 276 girls) between 1 and 15 years-old according to Staheli Criteria, correlating findings with the existence of limb pain and walking abnormalities. 

Results: 22% children had flexible flat foot, most of them younger than 3 years-old, with a decreasing prevalence in older children. No statistically significant difference was found in relation to limb pain and walking abnormalities. 

Conclusions: Flexible flat foot is a normal condition in children with an asymptomatic course and spontaneous resolution. Therefore, the use of insoles and corrective shoes is not necessary.