Flatfoot in children

Abstract

Foot arches are defined by the position of bones and stabilized by active and passive soft tissue structures. The most significant foot arches are longitudinal, medial and lateral. During lifetime they develop and change, while the most significant disorder represents the flatfoot. During the first two years of life, the flatfoot in full weight bearing position is considered a normal physiological condition, while in later age it represents a deformity requiring additional diagnostics and treatment. The flexible flatfoot is caused by ligamentous laxity, it is mostly pain-free and is treated symptomatically (prescription of adequate shoes and kinesitherapy). The rigid foot is most often caused by bone changes (tarsal coalition, vertical congenital talus) occurring idiopathically or within neuromuscular pathological conditions, with mostly present pain problems. In such cases treatment is also initiated by non-surgical methods, however, some type of surgical treatment is most frequently necessary to be used.