Flatfeet: How to Care for Your Child

Flatfeet are feet that do not have an arch. The middle of the foot touches the ground. Flatfeet don't usually need treatment. But if pain or other problems develop, treatments can help. 

• Be sure your child wears supportive shoes that fit well.

• Your child can run, play, walk barefoot, and do sports unless your health care provider told you otherwise.

• If treatment is needed, follow your health care provider's instructions on what to do. He or she may recommend:

  • shoe inserts to support the arch

  • physical therapy

  • stretching and strengthening exercises

  • seeing an orthopedic health care provider (a bones and joints specialist)

Your child:

• has pain in the foot, ankle, or knee

• has a stiff foot

• develops sores or blisters on the foot

What are the different kinds of flatfeet? There are two kinds of flatfeet:

• flexible flatfeet: There's no arch when the person walks, but there is an arch when they sit or stand on their tiptoes.

• rigid flatfeet: There's no arch when the person walks, sits, or stands on tiptoes.

What causes flatfeet? Most babies and toddlers have flatfeet. As they grow, an arch usually develops. But in some people, the arch doesn't form. 

Flatfeet also can be from:

• tight Achilles tendons ("tight heel cords")

• muscle problems

• problems with how bones in the feet formed

Children with some kinds of genetic disorders can have flatfeet. Flatfeet can run in families.