Pediatric Flat Feet

Abstract

A flat foot is a foot with a large plantar contact area. Flat feet are classified as physiologic or pathologic. We will described each type of deformity. Physiologic flat feet are flexible, common and benign. Children with physiologically flat feet often have a stretchy ligament; it is a normal variant which needs treatment. A pathological flat foot is cause by: caclaneovalgus deformity, tarsal coalition, congenital vertical talus, accessory navicular hypermobile flat foot with heel-cord contracture, z-foot or skew foot. A pathologic flat foot shows some degree of stiffness, often causes disability, and usually requires treatment. We have operated on 45 patients with an average age 13.5 years inserting an implant into the sinus tarsi to establish a medial foot arch (arthroeresisi). In the clinical study in the third month after the operation, an improvement in the appearance and function of the foot was observed in 93% of patients.