Children’s Flat Feet Treatment in Winchester and Basingstoke

Children’s flat feet treatment is one of our professional services at Eclipse Foot Clinic. Children having ‘flat feet’ is a common concern of some parents, but in actual fact, in the early stages of development, babies, toddlers and children will all have flat feet. This is because a lot of their bones and joints are yet to form properly. Around the age of 6-7, their arches will develop and be strong enough to support their day to day activities. However, some children will continue to have flat feet into adulthood which can expose them to lower limb conditions as they grow. That’s why its important to seek assessment before it becomes a problem later in life.

• General increase in lower limb pain as they commence new activities
• Growing pains or pain at night
• Awkward running style or general clumsiness
• Increased risk of growth plate complications such as Osgood Schlatter’s (knee) or Sever’s (heel)
• Difficulty keeping up during sporting events or with other children at play, this includes fatiguing quicker
• Difficulty in wearing shoes and unwillingness to keep them on

• Hyperflexible ligaments and tendons. This results in the feet collapsing under their body weight
• Genetic factors. The majority of cases of flat feet in children are associated with a family history
• Low bone structure of the arch
• In rare cases, rigid flat feet can be the result of certain medical conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome and Autism

Depending on the child’s age and symptoms, flat feet treatment and interventions may not be necessary, as we allow natural development to run its course. As a rule of thumb, if pain is present, there is an unwillingness to participate in activity or there are coordination issues, these are all triggers for intervention. If treatment is required, we customise a care plan to suit your individual child.

Our treatment options are tailored around addressing your child’s risk factors. Given this, the initial consultation will involve a thorough foot and lower limb biomechanical assessment, to determine what the contributing factors are.

Children’s Flat Feet – Common Treatment Options

• Change of footwear or footwear modifications
• Strength and stretching exercises
• Temporary alteration of activities
• Soft, custom orthotics to help reduce symptoms and encourage better function
• Use of ice or Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Our clinics provide effective children’s flat feet treatment, for a range of patients. So, if you have concerns, or any of your children are suffering from lower limb pain, please contact our clinic today for a full biomechanical assessment.