Parents often worry about the fact that their baby’s feet are flat, and they wonder what that means in the future. Most of these worries are unnecessary since all babies are born with flat feet naturally. It is not until years later that the arch in the foot is fully formed, around 10-12 years of age. If your child’s foot has not developed normally, a visit to the doctor is warranted. Dr. Mogul will examine your child’s feet to determine the best approach for treatment.

Pediatric flatfoot is classified as symptomatic, meaning the child is experiencing pain and limitation of activity due to the condition, or asymptomatic, meaning there are no symptoms. When the child has symptoms, treatment is necessary.

In the event that surgery is required to treat your child’s flat feet, minimally invasive surgery may be used to correct and repair the arch. Surgery is used to relieve the symptoms and improve the function of the foot, restoring mobility without discomfort. Your doctor will discuss the type of surgery that will be most effective for treating your child’s condition.

Conditions That May Require Surgery

In general, most children with flat feet will not require extensive treatment. When pain and/or limited mobility are a problem, then treatment is indicated.

Some children experience a tightness of the Achilles tendon. This condition can limit the motion of the child’s foot. Stretching exercises may help release the tightness. If the exercises are not successful, surgery may be necessary.

Rigid flat feet in children are rare, but when present, they present a problem. Rigid flat feet make it difficult for the child to move the feet up and down and side to side at the ankle. This condition can lead to arthritis if it is not treated. It is a painful condition that usually manifests during the teen years.

If your pubescent or adolescent child complains of foot pain, or you notice abnormal development of the feet, contact Dr. Stuart Mogul for an examination of the foot and ankle. Early intervention will yield the best results in treatment and can prevent the condition from becoming worse.