Orthotics for 4 1/2 Year Old's Flat Feet?

I would personally be careful taking a young child to a podiatrist. Maybe and Orthopedic dr would be a better place to start. I was fitted for orthotics when I was 25, because I rolled in and was having foot/leg pain. I ended up with knee problems that still bother me now. I wish I had just stuck with the inserts from the drug store. My DD rolls in and I get Stride Rite shoes that are very supportive and she does just fine. He's still growing so fast I would look into other options first

I went through this as a child. I had custom made orthotic shoes in first and second grade (6-8 yrs). They really helped. To this day if I wear less supportive shoes my arches are aching by the end of the day. Try to avoid flip flops and other less supportive footwear. Orthotics are $$$, but they worked for me- make an appt with a podiatrist as a second opinion.

Most insurances pay for orthodics ONE TIME-- and they are hundreds of dollars so I'd wait until his feet stop growing. All kids have flat feet/knock knees -- stick with a Dr. Scholl's type thing if it seems to be bothering him

Hi H., My youngest son has pronated ankles, so does his dad. He did get orthotics but at a later age. I also had flat feet and had to wear something called "cookies" in my shoes and I hated them. You could check with an orthopedic guy to ease your mind. Do what your heart says. Grandma Mary

Hi H..

My son has the same problem, and do I. We took him to a podiatrist when he was 2.5. The Dr. said that the only solution for flat feet would be wearing custom made orthotics from as early age as possible, since after 6-7yrs it would be practically impossible to change the foot structure. Our insurance covered them, so we got the orthotics made, but my son absolutely refuses to wear shoes with those inserts. They are very uncomfortable. I know from personal experience. Plus, he has outgrown them very quickly. I'm reluctunt to make another pair now, but so far he has not complained about the foot pain. We do massage his feet whenever we can.

I know that I am a little late in responding, but I thought this might help. My son started wearing orthotics around age 7. We spent a huge amount of money on custom made ones, recommended by our chiropractor. I now have a new chiro for the past few years and my son is now 11. He still needs the orthotics, even though there is a BIG improvement. But now he wears orthotics that are not custom made, are soft and cost less than $20, as opposed to $400! Try a chiropractor and please feel free to contact me if you want the name of mine in the lower Hudson Valley. Take care!

My son had the same issue as a young child and I just bought stride rite sneakers for him with arch supports built right in. Your doctor is correct that his foot is still forming so as long as he isn't complaining about pain or discomfort then I wouldn't worry about custom made orthodics right now.

Hi H.,

As someone who has had foot problems since young adulthood, I would recommend taking your child to a podiatrist. Try to get a couple of recommendations for podiatrists in your area and call to ask if they treat kids. It's worth getting the opinion of a specialist. Foot problems stink, so if there's anything that can be done to prevent them in the future, your child will thank you!

My son who is 11 now started wearing custom made orthotics since he was 4yrs old. My podiatrist also recommended he wear new balance sneakers. Every year we have to go to the podiatrist and he makes a new set of orthotics for his growing feet. Very simple, its just like going in for their yearly physicals. Insurance usually covers them, mine does, and if you go to a new balance store with the orthotics they will give you the best sneaker for your son and fit the orthotic in the shoe. My doctor actually gave me a prescription to take to the new balance store so they new exactly what kind of sneaker my son needed. Just a regular sneaker with extra width and room to fit the orthotic nothing fancy or weird looking. It helps with any knee problems and joint problems. Go see a podiatrist. I live in bergen county and can recommend a great one who treats children.

I think he's too young because yes, his feet are still developing and flat feet are quie typical inyoung children.

I have flat feet, always have. I was an athelete/marathon runner and they have never given me trouble until this past year. However it is nothing my orthotics or arch support wrap can't fix...but I am 37!

Flat feet cause the ankle roll called over-pronation. If you buy really good sneakers for him, i.e. stride-rite, they should have good arch support & help with the over-pronation. I do not think there is any reason to get orthotics.

Why not just look into shoes with a high arch. I know in my adult shoes Nike's have a very high arch. They also provide alot of support. If they don't seem to be giving him any problems and his shoes aren't uncomfortable, then I wouldn't get to worked up about it. But try the Nike's.

Hi, H.. I don't have that problem with my boys thank goodness. They have enough to deal with. I personally have flat feet and always have and it explains to me why I hate walking nowasdays but having good pair of sneakers with arch support is good, but the arch suport will wear down evenually. When I was a child, nothing hurt. My flat feet didn't both me until I got older. My legs hurts once in a while, but my feet hurts the worst and would love a massage, but the massage doesn't really do much. If your son eventually complains of his legs or that his back hurts have him stretch which we all need to do and for our children to learn too...stretch out the muscles in the thighs, hamstrings and calves. I find that if I do that after all exercises, including if I just walk, my back doesn't hurt much either. I have learned as I got older these are the things that hurt the worst and what I have learned (again, I'm much older and things may have changed in ways to help children with flat feet). If I walk or exercised, stretching the muscles keep the back, esp. the lower back from hurting so much. Make sure he squats to pick things up as he grows up, and I have found that if jump off something and land on my feet, I get this sharp pain shoot from the foot up past the ankles and it happens just when I land on my feet. So, it's a good idea now for your son to get the supported sneakers (because he's growing and buying him something that cost him an arm and a leg when he will outgrow them, but gel kind, I don't know if that will help), stretch after walking and/or exercising. I used to and still love hightops sneakers. They seem to feel good around the ankles. I felt that it was supporting and aligning my feet and my ankles. I hope that this helps you. Any more questions or anything, let me know. I'll try to help you from my experience....I'll pray for you to have wisdom from Jesus in this situation and I'll pray for you both.

Both of my girls have my husband's flat feet. When I originally asked our ped about our oldest daughter he said not to worry about it but after an injury to her growth plate on her left ankle we were told to. I would buy their shoes at Buster Brown & they had the "cookies" that would give them arch support. Unfortunately they went out at the one we went to but I was told that some shoe repair shops have them. The ones I would get were $9 or so - the regular ones at the store aren't as comfortable according to my daughter. Her orthopedic surgeon suggested just getting the orthodics at walgreens which we did, but my oldest complained about them hurting. Good luck!

There is a company called Cascade that makes orthotics for children. You don't need to have them custom molded. All you have to do is print out the template and measure his feet. They offer inserts with varying levels of support depending on his need for a much more reasonable price.

try going to a pediatric podiatrist, or at least a podiatrist

H.,
You may want to try Richard's Stride Rite Shoes in Selden, Long Island (243 Middle Country Road, Waldbaum's/Ruby Tuesday shopping center). They're at the corner of North Ocean Avenue and Middle Country Road (Route 25). Their phone number is ###-###-####. Not only will they find appropriate shoes for your son's walking style and foot shape, but they will glue in arches ("cookies") if necessary. They are the ONLY store I have found that will do this. They are experts in this area. I know this for a fact since my own son has HORRIBLY flat feet with ankles that roll in and knees that touch if his arches are not supported properly. They do not glue in arches for shoes that are purchased elsewhere since the shoes would be unreturnable. They guarantee the fit on the shoes purchased there when arches are glued in. I will go nowhere else for my kids' shoes!!! It is very important at a young age to make sure that your child's feet are supported properly. I know a lot of people say that "they will grow out of it", but damage to the child's bone structure, muscles, tendons and ligaments can be permanent or at best difficult to rectify. I work with physical therapists, orthotists and orthopedists that confirm this. Good luck!!

H.,

My 3 year old daughter also has flat feet! I've spoken to the doctor about this also and he said at this age, there really isn't much you can do about it. He said buying custom fit inserts would be a waste because she would outgrow them, so he suggested buying those gel inserts, but haven't found them either. She complains alot at night about her legs hurting so I massage them, but it doesn't seem to work that great. I feel so bad for her. If you get some ideas from anyone else, please let me know (and vice versa)!

Thanks and good luck,
Jen

You can find them in a medical supply store, you might have to get the smallest ones you can find for women and "fit" them to his feet, meaning make sure the arch of it is with theirs. The good ones actually have a hard sole like real orthodics. The brand I used in the past was called called Spanko's I think. The work fantastic and prevented me from needing real orthodics for years. Alot of insurances won't cover real orthodics, mine doesn't and they cost almost $400. It's a good idea to use them, when you walk wrong on your foot you also throw off your hips, knees and back.