9 Parents should be encouraged to let children go barefoot whenever it is safe, and to select shoes based on function, not just on style or cost. Wearing orthopedic shoes or arch inserts does not seem to influence the development of normal arches. 5-8 This means that a child is more likely to develop a flexible, strong arch when going barefoot. The reduced incidence of flatfoot seen in studies of barefoot populations suggests that muscle strength and mobility are important factors in the normal development of the arches. When there is a family history of poor foot-leg alignment, custom-made orthotics may be of some benefit, primarily in improving biomechanical function and coordination during sports performance.įlatfoot: The longitudinal arch normally develops during the first six to 10 years of growth. At this point, the best recommendation for most kids is to wear good shoes, and to focus on sports and activities that develop balanced leg muscles. 3,4 Exercising the involved external (or internal) rotation muscles (to accelerate or stabilize the normal developmental rotation of the leg) may be useful, but has not been reliably tested. In-toeing and out-toeing: Shoe modifications such as wedges, special lasts, and corrective orthotics have no significant predictable effect on children with in-toeing or out-toeing. 2 Most problems arise when the feet and legs do not align properly (in-toeing or out-toeing), or when the main longitudinal arch does not develop fully (flatfoot). The foot grows faster than the rest of the body it achieves three quarters of its mature length by the time a child is 7 years old.
0 kommentar(er)
