Treatment of children's flat feet in Dnipro

Infantile flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the child’s foot is flat, but the sole presses against the floor. This condition can cause pain in the legs and lead to problems with posture and walking.

If you suspect your child has flat feet, immediately consult an orthopedic doctor for diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The earlier the correction of flat feet in children begins, the more effective the results will be.

The symptoms and signs of flat feet in a child

Flat feet in a child may be accompanied by the following symptoms and signs:

pain or fatigue in the legs after physical activity,
flat arch of the foot, when the sole presses to the floor,
wide gait or walking on the inside of the foot,
swelling or fatigue of the legs,
pain in the foot, leg, knee, or back,
twisting the leg inward,
wear of shoes on the inside of the sole.

The causes of flat feet in children

Flat feet in children can occur for a variety of reasons, including:

heredity,
wearing uncomfortable or unsuitable shoes, especially as your feet grow,
lack of sufficient physical activity,
congenital foot abnormalities,
injuries, fractures, or other damage to the foot,
excess weight,
disorders in the development of muscles and ligaments of the foot,
diseases such as rickets or polio,
calcium deficiency due to poor diet.

It is important to remember that early detection and treatment of childhood flat feet can help prevent the development of serious health problems in the future.

The types of flat feet

There are several types of flat feet, including:

Flexible flat feet, when the arch of the foot is preserved when raising the toe, but disappears when lowering the foot to the floor.
Inflexible (fixed) flat feet, when there is no arch of the foot both when raising the toe and when lowering the foot to the floor.
Flat feet with a high arch (cavovalgus deformity), when the foot has a high arch instead of a normal arch.

Also, Flat feet can be:

Transverse flatfoot, in which the transverse arch of the foot is lowered, which leads to a decrease in the height of the arch and a flattening of the foot.
Longitudinal flatfoot, in which the longitudinal arch of the foot is lowered.
Combined flatfoot, combining signs of both transverse and longitudinal flatfoot.

Correcting flat feet in children requires an accurate diagnosis so that the doctor can select an individual treatment plan for the child.

The methods for diagnosing children’s flat feet at N1 Clinic in Dnipro

At N1 Clinic, treatment for pediatric flat feet begins with an examination of the child’s foot by an orthopedic doctor to evaluate the shape and structure of the foot, as well as asymmetry, stability, and deformities. X-rays are used to evaluate the structure of bones and joints, as well as to identify possible deformities.

In some cases, a specialist requires additional research to make an accurate diagnosis:

Pedobarography, which helps assess the pressure on the sole when walking and the uniformity of the load on the foot.
CT or MRI to study in more detail the structures of the bones and joints of the foot, as well as soft tissues.
Electromyography helps to identify disorders in the functioning of the foot muscles

After examinations, the doctor will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment or correction of flat feet in the child.

The treatment methods for flat feet in children at N1 Clinic

For flat feet in children, treatment depends on the severity of the deformity, the age of the child, and the symptoms it causes.

For conservative treatment, our doctors prescribe:

Massages, stretching, and strengthening exercises for the foot muscles can help improve arch support.
Special orthotics or shoes to support the arch of the foot in the correct position and reduce the load on the foot when walking.
Night bandages or special devices for deformity correction.

If a child has severe flat feet that do not respond to conservative treatment, surgery may be required to correct the deformity. The price of such surgery depends on the degree of flat feet and the type of surgery.

When choosing a treatment method for flat feet in children, it is important to make an appointment with an orthopedic doctor to select the optimal treatment plan that suits the individual characteristics of the child.

The prevention of childhood flat feet

To prevent childhood flat feet, follow these recommendations:

Select comfortable shoes for your child that support the arch of the foot and have enough room for the toes. Avoid shoes that are too narrow or too high.
Do regular exercises to strengthen your child’s foot muscles, which can help prevent flat feet. For example, stretching exercises, calf raises, and walking barefoot on uneven surfaces.
Maintain a healthy weight for your child.
Avoid overloading your child’s feet, especially when playing sports. Regulate the intensity of physical activity.

Following these recommendations will help reduce the risk of developing flat feet in children. Don’t forget about regular foot examinations with an orthopedic doctor to identify flat feet in children in the early stages and promptly treat them.

The advantages of treating flat feet in a child at N1 Clinic in Dnipro

Our clinic offers the services of a pediatric orthopedic doctor who knows how to find an approach to every little patient. The specialist will conduct a full examination and diagnosis of your child’s feet and select an effective treatment plan.

Our doctors, in a team with experienced rehabilitation therapists, will offer all possible conservative treatment methods. If necessary, orthopedic surgeons will perform foot surgery to correct flat feet. We provide a guarantee for surgical treatment if the patient follows all the doctor’s instructions and attends follow-up visits.