Flat Feet in Children

Flat Feet Treatment Strategies for Children

You may have heard the term pes planus, flat feet, no plantar arch support, or overpronation… You may notice your child’s feet turning out significantly when standing or walking. You may even notice a more significant wear pattern on the inside of the child’s shoe. So what exactly does a flat footed presentation entail?

Flat Feet (aka Pes Planus)

Children who present with flat feet may have been late ambulators, may have been initially classified as toe walkers, or may have been diagnosed with hypotonia. When the child is standing, you will notice the entire foot contacting the weight bearing surface with the absence of an inner (medial) arch. The foot may also turn out, increasing the weight on the medial side, and making it appear even more flat. When assessing this child’s gait, you may notice audible “foot slap”, denoting a lack of true control as compared to more typical gait pattern (as weight shifts from heels to toes).

pediatric flat feet

Children with flat feet will experience overpronation or excessive pronation, which refers to a pattern in which the foot rolls too far in a medial direction causing the body weight to be distributed unevenly across the metatarsus and cause excessive strain on the ankle, the knee and the hip. A child who overpronates does not absorb shock efficiently, leading to poor lower extremity alignment and the potential for future orthopedic concerns.flat feet

It is important to note that most children will appear with a flexible flat foot early on in their “walking career”. We anticipate early ambulators to display a flattened arch with forefoot pronation while weight bearing. Over time most children develop the musculature of their intrinsic foot and plantar arch. Intervention is not necessary if this presentation is not otherwise affecting function.flat feet

Here are some fun treatment ideas to promote development of the arch muscles to encourage lower extremity alignment, fluidity of gait mechanics and prevent any potential long term musculoskeletal issues that may arise as a result of this presentation.

All exercises should be done barefoot without sock or shoes, to encourage activation of the intrinsic muscles of the foot. We want child to experience both tactile and proprioceptive input through the soles of their feet.

Treatment for Flat Feet Targets:

    Arch Activation/Strength
    Lower Extremity Strength & Alignment
    Efficient and Fluid Motor Patterns
    Biomechanics of Gait

1) Intrinsic Plantar Muscle (Arch) Activation

    Gentle Foot Massage
        Apply gentle pressure to bottom of child’s foot.
        Use circular motion to activate muscles of medial foot.flat feet massage

    Vibration or Tactile Input
        Use vibrating node or tactile ball along arch of foot with child comfortably seated, to activate muscles of foot.
        Can do this before other more challenging activities to ensure arch is activated and ready to “work”.

flat feet massage

    Bean Bath
        Using bucket filled with dried beans or rice, place small toys throughout, having child use feet (curling toes to activate arch muscle) to pick objects out of bucket.flat feet kids bean bath
    Scarf Lift & Release
        Using fun play scarves like these, start with material flat on floor. With child seated or standing, encourage child to place one foot on top and use muscles of foot to lift scarf up!

flat foot exercise

    Toe Basketball
        For increased challenge, have child pick up marbles or flat “chips” with toes and drop in small container, this requires greater control and prolongs muscle activation.

flat feet children

    Superhero Kicks
        With the child lying on their back, have them kick a large therapy ball thrown to their feet.flat feet exercises

    Leg Raises
        Have the child squeeze a bean bag between their feet, raise legs up and drop the bean bag into a target (bucket or basket).

flat feet exercise 3flat feet exercises

    Ball Jumps
        Have child stand atop a therapy ball secured in corner of a wall, hold child’s hands and allow them to jump up and down to encourage proprioceptive input to their feet and ankles.

flat feet children

    Balance Challenge
        Challenge child to a balance off!  See who can balance the longest while standing on these balance pods.flat feet exercise 6

2) Lower Extremity Strength and Alignment

    Dyna-Disc Balance
        Maintain balance on Dyna-Disc during game of catch, balloon volleyball, Velcro ball, etc.
        flat feetSingle leg balance on Dyna-Disc for extra challenge of muscles of lower extremity!

flat feet

    Half Moon Balance
        Stand to squat on Half moon Foam Roller – also great for arch activation!

flat feet children

    Tandem Stance
        Standing with one foot in front of the other, make sure you practice alternating with left foot first and right foot first.
        The tactile footprints are great visual and tactile cues for foot placement to help engage foot musculature and promote development of arch!

flat feet

flat feet

    Scooter Adventure
        Seated floor scooter, forwards and back using heels to dig in and muscles of foot to initiate movement.

flat feet

    Crab Kicks
        Hold bridge position as shown below, and perform alternate leg kicks while saying the ABCs. To increase challenge and to target muscles of the foot, place Dyna-Disc under feet, while alternating leg kicks!

flat feet children

    Bear Walks
        Have child walk across the room like a bear to complete a puzzle. You can increase the challenge and provide sensory input by lining the floor with bubble wrap!

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3) Motor Planning

    Tactile Footprint Forward and Backward Walking

flat feet treatment ideas

    Stair Climbing with Tactile Footprints to address alignment

flat feet

    Jump Up with visual cues for alignment

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    Jump Down with visual cues for alignment

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4) Biomechanics of Gait

    Pillow Walks
        Line up 4-5 large pillow or couch cushions, encouraging child to walk along. Offer support for balance if necessary. Great to practice negotiation, engaging muscles of lower extremity and targeting mechanics of gait.

flat feet

    Floor Skating
        Using colored spots, with child barefoot encourage them to keep feet on the spots while sliding forward on the floor. This will encourage child to grip with their feet and activate their intrinsic arch muscles as they move along.

flat feet

    Heel Walking (aka Penguin Walking)
        Encourage child to walk forward with heels on the ground and toes up!

flat feet

    Side Stepping
        Encourage child to step side to side with feet facing forward. Can use small obstacle to step over for increased challenge.

flat feet

Shoe Suggestions for Children with Flat Feet
The appropriate shoe or sneaker:

    Provides Support
    Offers Stability
    Facilitates Weight Bearing
    Promotes Lower Extremity Alignment
    Encourages Fluidity and Efficiency in Motor Patterns

Some great options include:

    ASICS: ASICS GT-1000 & ASICS Pre-Contend
    Saucony: Saucony Cohesion & Saucony Excursion
    Keen: Keen Oakridge & Keen Newport Sandal
    Pediped: Pediped Max & PediPed Flex Dakota
    Stride Rite: Stride Rite Cannan & Stride Rite Artin Sneaker

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