If your child has flat feet or any other foot or lower leg issue that concerns you, Dr. Larry Goldstein at Warner Robins Foot and Ankle in Warner Robins, GA, can help determine the best course of action for their needs.

Flat Feet in Children: Should You Be Concerned?

If you were to take a look at a large group of barefoot children, you would likely notice pretty quickly that they all, or almost all, have flat feet. This is a normal thing, as children are still growing and their bodies are highly flexible.

Most will grow out of the condition and develop arches over time without any assistance. However, there are times when intervention is necessary. Dr. Goldstein and the team at Warner Robins Foot and Ankle in Warner Robins, GA, share when parents should be concerned and how flat feet can be treated below.

When to Seek Help

To put it simply, if your child doesn’t seem to have any pain or discomfort, you can take a breath. If it’s not affecting them, there's likely no need for treatment.

The question you may be asking, though, is how you would know if it is affecting them. In addition to complaining about foot pain, a lack of arches can lead to issues like:

• Leg cramps, especially in the lower legs
• Ankle or heel pain
• Balance issues
• Getting tired quickly when walking

Such issues are typically caused by the impact walking with a flat foot can have. Arches help ensure proper weight distribution. When they are missing, it puts excess pressure on the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other components of the feet, ankles, and lower legs.

Additionally, any issue in the foot can create a chain reaction through the rest of the body. This means that a lack of arches can eventually lead to hip pain, back pain, and more.

As a parent, you want to ensure a pain-free life. Even if you haven’t noticed any symptoms, a podiatrist can assess your child’s feet and lower legs to ensure everything is normal and set your mind at ease.

Treating Flat Feet in Kids

Often, changing to more supportive shoes can make a huge difference, but sometimes custom orthotics are needed. Physical therapy can also help a child develop a healthier foot structure. In severe cases where there is already a large amount of damage, surgery might be recommended. However, this is rarely needed for children as they are still growing.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Goldstein at Warner Robins Foot and Ankle in Warner Robins, GA, to have your child’s flat feet assessed by calling (478) 328-2008.