Ballerina feet or Fred Flintstone feet? – Common foot problems in children

From the moment our children are born, we expect them to be perfect and beautiful. We count your toes, hands, and love everywhere. However, as most of us realize, perfection is not always the case. Some children have foot problems from birth, while others may develop problems in the early years.

Walking on tiptoe “Ballerina feet” or walking on tiptoe is one of those problems. Causes of toe walking include stress on the heel cords at birth, regular toe walking, or neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy or Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Although many toddlers tend to stand on tiptoe, if this continues after 18 months, a medical consultation is necessary to determine the causes and treatment options. You may think the child looks cute walking on tiptoe, but that ballerina look will be the focus of teasing when that child reaches school age. Treatment options can be as simple as stretching tight calf muscles. Other options include serial casts, braces, or surgery. If a child only has the habit of walking on his toes, but can change this behavior when instructed, it may still be necessary to intervene with casts or serial orthotics. The child may change this habit when repeatedly told, “Don’t walk on your toes … don’t walk on your toes,” but in a short time both parent and child will tire of this necessary insistence. .

Although the cast or series reinforcement may seem extreme, don’t let the title scare you; it is only a short term treatment to provide a slow and sustained stretch to tight muscles. The serial cast involves applying a cast to the lower leg to allow a prolonged stretch on the tight calf and Achilles tendon. The cast is removed weekly and reapplied in a more optimal stretched position until adequate for the child to walk with the heel strike on initial contact during the walking phase. Once the casts are removed, it may be necessary to put some type of brace on the shoes to reinforce the heel strike and continue the child’s progress. Other orthopedic options can be discussed with a certified orthopedist. Some might include orthopedic inserts that go inside the shoes. These can help support the arch and also provide some stiffness to hinder toe gait or plantar / equine flexion and ensure correct foot position. For a more supportive option, a brace called AFO (Ankle Foot Orthosis) can be customized and worn for as long as necessary to prevent recurrence of toe walking. If there are no neurological conditions, this time period is approximately 3 to 6 months. Flat feet Another foot problem is flat feet (flat feet) or “Fred Flintstone feet.” This is something that can and often is normal for young children. Arches develop over time. Foot muscles are best exercised and strengthened when walking barefoot. Flat feet can be considered a problem when the child complains of pain in the feet or lower legs after walking. Children may not always give you a clear idea of ​​what they are feeling. So, as a parent, one should be aware of how a child’s shoes wear out over time; paying special attention to the position of the heel.

If shoe wear is more on the inside edge and the heel appears to be positioned further outward, then you may have a child who has flat feet. Another basic test is to see what a wet footprint looks like. If you think of Fred Flintstone, you might have a kid with flat feet! The most important thing is to pay attention to your complaints of pain after walking. Flat feet without pain do not necessarily indicate the need for treatment. Like walking on your toes, there can be many reasons why flat feet, other than an arch, do not develop normally, such as Down syndrome, hypo-tonicity (low tone), or delayed development. . If your child has any of these diagnoses, you may also need to discuss it with your doctor and decide if orthotics are necessary as add-on treatment. Flatfoot braces are used to support the arches and provide a better mechanical advantage so that the foot can walk properly. The feet are the structural foundation of the body, therefore, supporting the feet in their optimal alignment allows the leg muscles to be activated in the best way. If you have questions about braces, ask your doctor and then find a certified orthopedist who specializes in children.