YOUR CHILD’S HEALTH/BONE AND JOINT DISORDERS: FLAT FEET AND HEELS, PAINFUL
FLAT FEET
Babies often appear to have flat feet because the soles of their feet are filled with pads of thick fat. The fatter the baby, the flatter the feet look. Once babies start walking, this arches become more defined because the ligaments and muscles start more working more, and by the age of 3 years, the feet acquire their final shape. After this age, a child who has flat feet will wear down the heels of his shoes on the inner sides very quickly. The entire surface of the sole of the foot is in contact with the ground, and the arches are not visible. This occasionally causes the child pain, especially when playing sport. Children with flat feet do not need any treatment. In particular, there is no need for arches, supports or special shoes. If flat feet persist into adult life, arches may reduce the wear on shoes.
This condition is especially common in older children and young adolescents. Sometimes it is caused by a strain of the achilles tendon where it attaches to the bone of the heel. Pain is usually experienced after sport. Usually no treatment is necessary, because the condition improves with age and eventually disappears. Raising the heel of the shoe on the affected side sometimes helps. The child should be encouraged to continue playing sport.
The other cause of painful heels is a bony spur (calcaneal spur) on the back of the heel bone, which rubs against the bottom or back of the shoe. The overlying skin becomes reddened and bruised. Treatment consists of inserting a small pad in the shoe to protect the affected area. Occasionally surgery is needed to chip off the bony protrusion.
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Tags: General health