Does my child need foot orthotics?

Several conditions may require the wearing of foot orthotics in children. The most frequent cases that we encounter in our young patients are flat feet, feet that point inwards or walking on tiptoes. The podiatrists at the Clinique Podiatrique Stéphanie Bonneau Inc. will help you learn more about the subject.

What causes flat feet?

The flat foot is a malformation, sometimes hereditary resulting in a sagging of the arch of the foot.
In young children, even if flat feet can be a source of concern for the parent, it is nevertheless a completely normal and frequent condition. Indeed, until the age of 3, the joints that hold the child’s foot are still soft and the arch of the foot has not yet formed. This malformation can correct itself during the child’s bone growth.
After 3 years, if no improvement is observed, it is recommended to consult a podiatrist. This will help your child relieve discomfort and prevent foot, knee or back pain. The podiatrist will be able to closely monitor the evolution of the foot and make a correction if necessary, for example, by wearing custom-made plantar orthotics for flat feet.

My child’s feet are “turning” inwards, should I be worried?

For some children, the feet may tend to turn inward. Parents usually notice this condition when the child begins to walk. The origin of an inward gait may vary. Indeed, the problem can come from the hip, the femurs, the shins, the ankles or even the feet. It is therefore advisable to consult your podiatrist in order to determine the main cause of your child’s inward gait and define the appropriate treatment if necessary. Various exercises, treatments and stretches can also be recommended by your podiatrist. In the case of feet that turn inwards, the wearing of plantar orthotics may be recommended if the child complains of pain, stumbles often or wears out his shoes quickly.

My child walks on tiptoe, what should I do?

Just like the previous two conditions, tiptoe walking is quite normal in young children. This is a normal step in learning to walk and is usually followed by normal walking with the heels on the ground.
However, if walking on tiptoe persists after the age of 2, after the acquisition of walking, a consultation with a podiatrist may be recommended. Custom-made plantar orthoses may be necessary to promote contact between the heel and the ground, to help acquire healthy walking and to prevent any future balance problems. Other exercises, treatments and stretches may also be recommended by your podiatrist.

In conclusion, wearing foot orthotics helps to correct the conditions mentioned above, namely flat feet, feet that turn inwards and walking on tiptoes when the condition persists after a certain age or interferes with child development.
With the help of a complete biomechanical examination, the podiatrists at Clinique Stéphanie Bonneau Inc. in Longueuil will be able to establish the best diagnosis for your child’s feet. Do not hesitate to contact us!