Do I need to treat my teen’s flat feet?
As long as the feet are not painful or limiting their activity, treatment for teen’s flat feet is not really necessary. It is only when soreness, stiffness, or weakness affects their ability to function normally that you need to schedule a visit to our office.
If your child develops foot pain, it is best to find out exactly what is causing it. Flat feet are tied to a number of conditions, including tarsal coalition—where two tarsal bones are connected by a bridge of bone, cartilage, or tissue and cause stiffness and pain near the ankle. Other complications related to flat feet include a tendency to overpronate and put extra stress on the ligament under the arch (leading to plantar fasciitis) and a tight Achilles tendon (leading to tendinitis or a ruptured Achilles).
If you notice limping, an awkward gait, uneven wear on your teen’s shoes, or pain and unwillingness to be active, call Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Center in Wheat Ridge, Golden, Evergreen, or Granby, CO, at (303) 423-2520 and set up a consultation with our foot specialists. Simple solutions such as better shoes, heel cups or orthotics, or stretching programs can bring relief to your child’s sore feet.
Do I need surgery for my flat feet?
If your flat feet never developed an arch because of your genetic makeup, but you aren’t experiencing any problems, there is no need to consider any treatment—much less surgery.
However, sometimes your arch starts out normal and then begins to collapse, causing overpronation issues. There are many reasons for this: an injury, arthritis, a weakened posterior tibial tendon, or a damaged foot structure due to diabetes. This type of flat foot can be very painful and keep you from walking normally.
When your feet hurt, we can determine what is causing the problem. We will typically try conservative treatments like braces or custom orthotics first, but surgery becomes an option if these don’t work. We will help you determine whether you are a good candidate for a procedure, and explain what technique will likely provide the best result for you. The goal is to realign the bones of your foot so that you stand and walk in a more normal and efficient way.
Give Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Center a call at (303) 423-2520 if you need relief from painful flat feet. We provide excellent foot care in the greater Denver area.
Does my child need treatment for flexible flat feet?
Since all kids start out life with flat feet, they obviously don’t need treatment as babies. Even when they begin walking, some children do not form a normal arch. With flexible flatfoot the arch may not be visible while they stand, only with legs dangling or on tiptoe.
If your child is older and still has low arches, have us check his or her foot development. Even then, flat feet in kids is not a problem unless it starts to cause pain. If that happens, we may try conservative treatments like stretches for the heel cord or custom orthotics to support the arch.
In severe cases, where there is a lot of pain, we may advise more extensive physical therapy or casting to elongate the Achilles tendon. When pain persists in adolescence, we may consider surgical correction if the foot structure is becoming rigid. If so, be assured that you have come to the Denver area’s expert foot surgeons.
Don’t hesitate to call Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle Center in Wheat Ridge, CO, if you have any questions about your child’s feet. Our number is (303) 423-2520, or you can request an appointment online.
