Find Out If Your Child Has Flat Feet – Follow These 3 Simple Steps!

January 21, 2023 Flat Feet Juan Valenzuela 6 - Comments

Most children start out with flat feet because they have this cushion called a “fat pad” that makes arches less visible. As they grow up—usually around the age of five—the arches should already be developed. Having flat feet can be typical, but not all flat feet are the same, as some cause pain or trouble walking. I am a shoe fitter who has been fitting children’s shoes and evaluating their feet for over a decade, and I am happy to share my advice and check for any underlying conditions.

Find Out If Your Child Has Flat Feet in 3 Simple Steps

1️⃣ First Step

Have your child stand on a flat surface (make sure your child is not standing on carpet) and make sure that your child is standing straight and looking straight ahead. Take an image of your child’s feet from the side as shown in the images below:

child-with-flat-foot
child-with-flat-foot

These images will help me determine whether your child has a high, regular, low, or no arch at all. It’s important that you take images of both feet.

2️⃣ Second Step

With your child standing on a flat surface and looking straight ahead, take a look at your child’s feet from the back as shown in the images below:

child-with-heel-eversion

This image will help me determine whether your child’s heels are neutral, inverted, or everted.

3️⃣ Third Step

Email me the images of your child’s feet: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com and feel free to include any additional images/videos that will help the visualization process.

This service is free of charge and it will take me less than 24 hours to respond with whether your child has flat feet or not. This resource should be used as a guide, not a substitute for professional advice.

The Complications of Having Flat Feet

Don’t stress out if your child has flat feet, this condition is very common, and it’s believed to be hereditary. However, this doesn’t mean that flat feet should be left untreated, and I want to be clear that pain is not the only reason to treat flat feet. The most effective way to treat a child with flat feet is through wearing the correct type of shoes, and depending on the degree of your child’s flat feet, orthotics as well. 

The Role of Proper Footwear for Flat Feet

Let’s take a look at an image of a child with flat feet standing barefoot. Do you notice how the feet are collapsing and turning inwards? 

toddler-with-flat-feet

Let’s see what happens when we fit the same child in a pair of the supportive shoes I recommend. Do you notice how the child’s feet are a lot straighter?

toddler-wearing-supportive-shoes

Here is an image of a different child with flat feet standing barefoot. Do you notice the right foot collapsing inwards?

child-with-flat-feet-and-a-strong-degree-of-pronation

Now let’ see what happens when we fit that same child in a pair of the supportive shoes that I recommend. The right foot looks a lot straighter, correct?

child-with-flat-feet-wearing-supportive-shoes

While many children have flat feet and notice no problems and require no treatment, others may experience the following symptoms:

  • Your child might complain about how their feet tire easily.
  • Painful or achy feet, especially in the areas of the arches and heels.
  • The inside bottoms of your kids’ feet might become swollen.
  • Back and leg pain.

What Are the Best Shoes for Kids with Flat Feet?

Getting the right shoes for a child with flat feet is more important than some might think. A well-fitted shoe can offer the support that helps little feet develop correctly and prevent discomfort while boosting overall mobility. I have put together an article that describes supportive sneakers for children with flat feet.

Some children with flat feet don’t experience any symptoms of pain while some others do and have difficulty staying active.