My young patient (only 6 years young then) was told he had flat feet, pronated 'too much' and needed
orthotics. He was prescribed the pair of ankle foot orthoses pictured below. His parents ended up a few thousand dollars poorer and they were told to bring him back for more appointments.
I could not begin to imagine the trauma this child had to go through mentally and physically, having had to wear those orthotics (picture below) whenever he went out. In my opinion, these 'orthotics' look like they will do a better job limiting ankle movement with the stiff upright medial (inner) and lateral (outer) sections.
Parents with children who have
flat feet please take note. This latest Cochrane Review (just published on 14/1/22) states that "in the absence of pain, the use of high cost customised foot orthoses (CFO) for healthy children (from 11 months to 19 years old) with flexible flat feet has NO supporting evidence, and draws very limited conclusions about foot orthoses for treating paediatric flat feet".
Review articles from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews are highly respected and trusted. Google it if you like.
Not just costly CFO's, less expensive prefabricated (off the shelf) foot orthoses are not needed as well.
This Cochrane review also suggests that there is no further need to research asymptomatic flat feet in healthy children. It is better to focus on other paediatric conditions instead.
Parents, now you know, do not waste your time and hard earned money on orthotics for your children. Don't worry too much about their shoes too. Email me if you want a copy of the article.
Reference
Evans AM, Rome K, Carroll M et al (2022). Foot Orthoses For Treating Paediatric Flat Feet. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Issue 1. Art No: CD006311. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006311.pub3. Accessed 18 January 2022.
