Flat feet during the early years is commonly tough to spot when they are first born, since baby fat often hides the true shape of the foot. With the passage of time and as the little one enters walking stage, the condition becomes clearer. As the child ages, a normal arch should appear between 4 and 6 years of age, commonly being developed by walking barefoot on uneven terrain. This develops muscles, tendons and ligaments. If a normal arch doesnt occur during this development stage, then it may be necessary to consider the use of orthotic shoe insoles to prevent back or lower extremity health conditions from emerging in later years.
Pronation the excessive rolling inwards of the ankles and feet, and ensuing collapse of the arches is found in up to seventy percent of the population. Over a period of time, over-pronation in addition to foot pain will also cause back problems, and also leg problems. Many people do not realize how appropriate foot, leg and back alignment are associated, and it is critical to correct any foot problems such as flat feet in childhood to prevent further damage to other lower body parts.
It is advisable to detect flat feet in childhood as soon as possible to prevent the resulting problems later in life. It is possible for adults of any age to develop flat fee, though in many cases it is considered as a normal part of aging,. Flat feet can be set off for reasons such as illness, injury, or pregnancy, and can be permanent or temporary, depending on the reason. Excess weight can also cause flat feet in adults or children.
A good way to test whether a foot arch is being developed is by using a wet blotter. With this technique, you make a footprint of your childs damp foot on colored paper. Then you check whether the foot arch leaves a noticeable gap. It is also possible to do this on a beach, or in a sandbox by looking at the footprint, however the test with the blotter is much more effective. Another indication of flat feet is if the child complains about aches to his or her calf muscles or ankles after walking for a period of time, as flat feet in children can cause additional strain on ankles and calves to offset the lack of foot arches. Sometimes a child may walk on the external edges of his feet, and this is often mistaken for bowleggedness, when it is really a consequence of over-pronation caused by flat feet.
Foot problems such as flat feet in childhood can be corrected to prevent serious complications like plantar fasciitis and avoid damage to other lower body parts. A recommended measure of prevention is through the use of orthotic shoe insoles. A foot specialist (podiatrist) should be able to analyze the symptoms and recommend suitable treatment, which could include orthotic shoe insoles or foot exercises, depending on the severity of the problem. In many cases, standard orthotic shoe insoles products available at retail stores or on the Internet, can produce excellent results, without the need for pricey custom-made foot arch supports or other aids available via prescription.
It is important to bear in mind when it comes to flat feet in childhood is that early detection can avert many serious problems to other body parts such as the knees and lower back over time. It is easy to treat flat feet in childhood through readily available and affordable orthotic shoe insoles.
