Dr. Nayeem

Overlooked and often forgotten. Such is the existence of pediatric flat foot deformity. Children grow before our eyes at an alarming rate, which makes tracking their development quite challenging. Additionally, contemporary households require dual income sources from both parents making it that much more difficult to be intune with a childs development. And in this chaos, children with flat feet deformity fail to receive proper medical management and intervention.

In the typical growth pattern of children, there are specific age ranges, 2-4. During which a flat foot is normal. However as they mature into older age ranges, 4+, this deformity is expected to autocorrect. In the case where this autocorrection is not obtained, medical intervention must be provided immediately. As a child, the feet start to take shape, particularly as the midtarsal joint axis solidifies and keystone tarsal bones align into position. This structure and design is then magnified by puberty and set in stone as an adult. If a flat foot deformity is not addressed in childhood, then it will propagate into a full blown pathology that will plague this individual throughout their life, garnering the potential to be an obstacle in future endeavors, aspirations, ambitions and careers.

The detrimental reach of flat foot deformity extends not just to future careers but also to overall health. This condition initially affects the feet causing pain with ambulation, soreness along the arch and more frequent wearing out of shoes. Left untreated, physiological manifestations begin to appear starting with the knees, then hips, lumbar spine and up to the neck. These proximal issues begin to present once adulthood begins and worsen into old age. Currently, pediatricians nationwide are battling the epidemic of childhood obesity and are trying to encourage activity, sports, healthy diets and decrease in screen time. An untreated flatfoot deformity serves to only deter a child from being active. The soreness and pain felt discourages them from getting up, running and playing. This promotes a sedentary lifestyle which once again continues into adulthood and ultimately leads to a plethora of medical conditions including but not limited to obesity, diabetes, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, and many more.

Of immediate concern are the repercussions of Novel Corona Virus Pandemic. During this time, children were for the most part isolated in their homes. They did not go outside, did not walk and play in schools or interact with friends. To make matters worse, they became heavily dependent on computers, iPad’s and cell phones for both school work and entertainment. This level of stasis over the length of a year has only served to worsen flat foot deformity in these children. For these reasons, it is imperative to implement a Pediatric Podiatry Program and insure all children are provided treatment for flat foot deformity. This is preventative medicine and this is their future.