Foot problems affect about 30% of children, and one common issue is flatfoot. Flexible flatfoot is a condition where the arch of the foot collapses when the child stands or walks but returns to normal when they are not bearing weight. Several factors can contribute to flatfoot, including loose ligaments, age, higher weight, weak muscles or a short Achilles tendon.
Flatfoot is more common in younger children. For example, 54% to 57% of children aged 2 to 3 years have flatfoot, but this decreases to 21% to 24% in children aged 5 to 6 years and 15% in children aged 10. Most children with flexible flatfoot eventually develop arches as they grow.
While many children outgrow flatfoot, those for whom flatfoot persists may experience limitations in daily life. The condition can put extra pressure on the foot and cause discomfort, especially after standing or walking for long periods. Some children may experience foot pain, fatigue, or instability in the foot.
This study aimed to look at the short-term effects of custom-made arch support insoles on children with symptomatic flexible flatfoot. Symptomatic means children can experience:
- pain or discomfort in the foot arch, heel or ankle,
- fatigue in the legs after walking,
- difficulty with balance,
- frequent tripping or clumsiness.
The study was done at a rehabilitation clinic in Taiwan and included 52 children with flatfoot. One group of children wore custom arch support insoles for 12 weeks. They started with one hour per day and gradually increased to 5-10 hours. The other group wore regular shoes with flat soles and did not use insoles.
At the start of the study and after 12 weeks, the children's physical activity (like walking, climbing stairs, and getting up from a chair), physical function, and quality of life were measured using special tools.
The results showed that 76% of children in the treatment group had fewer symptoms of flatfoot after using the insoles. 24% noticed no change. The children who wore the insoles also showed improvement in activities like climbing stairs and basic movements, which are important parts of daily life. Wearing the insoles helped reduce symptoms and increased their ability to be active, which could improve their overall physical health.
Even though the insoles used in this study were custom-made, our Protetika shoes, especially the orthopedic line, have high arch support. Therefore, we believe that wearing our shoes and sandals in our eShop can have a similar effect and, in the long run, improve the quality of life for children with flat feet.
Arch support Insoles used in the study by children with flat feet
Link to the complete study: Short-term effects of customized arch support insoles on symptomatic flexible flatfoot in children: A randomized controlled trial - PMC