Pediatric foot deformities can cover a wide range of abnormalities in the muscles, bones and tendons of the foot. Juvenile bunion, clubfoot, cavus foot, tarsal coalition and accessory navicular are names of some of the major kid’s foot deformities.

Cavus foot or flat foot in children is characterized by high arches in the feet, often accompanied by hammertoes, calluses found on the ball, heel or side of the foot, feet that are painful to walk on and a tendency to sprain the ankle. Kid’s flat foot develops in the first ten years of life and is often an inherited structural abnormality, although nerve and muscle disease may be associated with the symptoms. If cavus foot is treated in the early stages or the case is mild, custom orthotics can be the best non-surgical treatment option.

A combination of specialized shoes and arch supports can relieve the problem of a kid’s flat foot. The earlier the intervention, the greater the probability of influencing the arch shape and the development of the foot early on. This might not completely eliminate the need for wearing some form of orthoses later in life but there are certain cases where the intervention is to a certain extent corrective.

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In the case of children with flat feet, the condition is associated with heel pain, overpronation, arch pain and misalignment of the feet and legs, resulting in abnormal gait and chronic pain in the lower back and rest of body. The correct custom made orthotics can address these issues, provide support to the arch and realign the mechanics of the feet.

The main benefits provided by custom orthotics to treat kid’s foot deformities are shock absorption and providing cushioning. Moreover, the orthotic devices should be custom made to fit the individual’s foot shape and requirements.

When standing, the most prominent feature of high arched feet is the large space between the arch of the feet and the floor. This condition can benefit from a soft orthotic device that is flexible and can provide cushioning to the feet. Patients should be followed up on a six to twelve-month basis to assess the benefits of the prescribed custom orthotics. This is also because the shock absorption capacity of the soft orthotics can wear out with frequent use.

Custom made shoe orthotics can have a wide range of benefits and are by no means only restricted to the correction of the flat foot seen in some children. Pes Cavus or high arches, heel pain associated with Sever’s disease, overpronation, juvenile bunions, in-toeing and out-toeing are all conditions that can be immediately treated with orthotics.

Curafoot, a leader in podiatric care, provides a wide range of services aimed to diagnose and treat the complications associated with kid’s foot deformities. A primary service offered by the company is the design of custom made orthotics for children with flat feet and other foot disorders. Doctor consultations, foot assessment, custom-designed orthotics and specialized shoes will be provided. Treatment plans will take the patient’s best interests into consideration to provide non-surgical treatment options like custom made orthotics wherever possible.