Pediatric Myth Busters
Summary:
Foot pronation is often “normal” in younger children
but should be outgrown by the age of 6 years. Excessive
pronation in toddlers, or persisting flatfootedness in
preteens and adolescents, can perpetuate lifelong
disability if left untreated; this can often be easily
managed with OTC devices. Realigning the foot with
an orthosis has many benefits, including optimizing
structural alignment to secure a stronger foundation
for the body, facilitating better muscle functioning and
strength, improving balance and coordination, and
preventing present and future pathology.
References:
1. D’Amico JC. Developmental Flatfoot. In Introduction
to Podopediatrics, 2nd Edition (pp257-259). Elsevier
Ltd. (2001).
2. Evans AM, Rome K. A Cochrane review of the
evidence for non-surgical interventions for flexible
pediatric flat feet. Eur J Phys Rehab Med. 2011 Mar;
47(1):69-89.
3. Evans AM: Growing pains: contemporary knowledge
and recommended practice. J Foot Ankle Res. 2008
Jul 28;1(1):4
4. Feit E. Expert Insights On Prescribing Pediatric
Orthotics. Podiatry Today Volume 18 - Issue 2 February 2005
5. Halabchi F, et al. Pediatric Flexible Flatfoot; Clinical
Aspects and Algorithmic Approach. Iran J Pediatr.
June 2013; 23(3):247-260.
6. Kendall FP, McCreary EK, Provance PG, Rodgers
MM, Romani WA: Muscles, Testing and Function
with Posture and Pain 5th edition. Baltimore:
Williams & Wilkins; 2005.
7. Lee HJ, et al. Effect of foot orthoses on children with
lower extremity growing pains. Ann Rehab Med.
2015 Apr;39(2):285-93
22
Pedorthic Footcare Association www.pedorthics.org
For more immediate information, please email: robertanstride@
gmail.com; or sign up for a webinar on “Pediatric Practice Pearls
for Treating Developmental Flat Feet” at: http://www.nolaro24.com/
education.html
8. Page P, Clare F, Lardner R. Assessment and
Treatment of Muscle Imbalance. The Janda
Approach. 2010.
9. Pavone, V et al: Growing pains: a study of 30 cases
and a review of the literature. J Pediatr Orthop. 2011
Jul-Aug;31(5):606-9
10. Potalyia P, Chowdary D, Dadhich A, et al. Study
of Medial Longitudinal Arch and its Pattern of
Development Supported through Radiographic
Evaluation… Int J Anat Res 2014, Vol 2(1):187-90.
11. Riddiford-Harland DL, Steele JR, Baur LA. The
Use of Ultrasound Imaging to Measure Midfoot
Plantar Fat Pad Thickness in Children. JOSPT. Oct
2007;37(10): 644:647.
12. Sadeghi-Demneh, E et al. Flatfoot in school-age
children: prevalence and associated factors. Foot
Ankle Spec. 2015 Jun;8(3):186-93
13. Volpe RG. Pediatric Flatfoot: When Do You Treat
It? Pod Today. Jan 2012; 25(1): 62:65.
14. Whitman, R. A Study of the Weak Foot, with
Reference to its Causes, its Diagnosis, and its Cure;
with an Analysis of a Thousand Cases of So-Called
Flat-Foot. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2010 Apr; 468(4):
925–939