But will they really grow out of it? Part 3: Flat feet

How do you know if your child’s feet are concerning and need intervention or if they are flat but it is not a concern? Sometimes parents/caregivers are told by doctors or, anecdotally, by family or friends that their children will grow out of toe walking, flat feet, or w-sitting. Parents and caregivers do not always feel confident about when is the right time for them to be concerned or intercede. The truth is some kids do outgrow any or all those things on their own, but some do need intervention.

In general most children do have flat feet and their arches begin to develop between the ages of 2-3. Children do not hit their full arch height until they are 5-7 years old. Children begin to use their feet, and the muscles that help form and support an arch in their feet, around 10 months to just past a year when they begin pulling to stand and learning how to walk. Children under 5 with flat feet do not necessarily need physical therapy intervention but they will need intervention if they are complaining of foot or knee pain and/or you begin to notice changes in the alignment of their knees (knock-kneed).

Physical therapy to help strengthen the muscles deep in the feet and the ankles may be couple with strengthening exercises for the outer hip muscles to help improve alignment. Improving the foot alignment will allow for improved balance and a decreased risk of future injury to the knees, hip, and low back. Alignment can affect from the top down or the bottom up.