Pediatric Flatfoot

Pediatric flatfeet are common, usually asymptomatic, and typically improve over time as young children age. It is critical to differentiate flexible from rigid flatfeet and to assess for associated Achilles contracture with a careful history, physical examination, and initial radiographs. Although there are limited data, nonsurgical management of symptomatic flatfeet, both flexible and rigid, should be exhausted before considering surgical intervention. If patients fail conservative treatment, surgical management with joint preserving, deformity corrective techniques are typically used for pediatric flexible flatfeet in conjunction with deformity-specific soft tissue procedures.
Source: Foot and Ankle Clinics - Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Source Type: research