Many children and adolescents have flat feet but have no joint pains.  There are others who develop knee and/or arch pain that limits their ability to enjoy certain activities such as running or playing sports.  If there is pain, and an obvious fallen arch, foot orthotics in the shoes, either over-the-counter or custom, may be warranted taking into account family history and degree of severity.  If there is no pain, yet there is an obvious fallen arch then the question is whether to correct or not.  Many medical professionals believe that fallen arches will adversely affect the knees and hips and lead to early arthritic pain.  Correcting the foot posture early on is then seen as a preventative measure for future knee and hip joint health.  If you are concerned with your child’s foot alignment it is worth discussing the options with a biomechanical professional.

Diane Calder, BSc KIN, Certified Pedorthist, B.D. Mitchell Prosthetics & Orthotics, MitchellPando.com