What Are littleSTEPS® Orthotics?
They are pre-fabricated foot orthoses that deliver the closest match to custom UCBL devices. littleSTEPS® are a low-cost alternative to custom orthotics while providing prescription based correction.
- Support Flat Feet and Improve Posture
- Control Heel Pain/Sever's Disease
- Help Reduce Growing Pains
- Effective for Toe Walking
- Improve Low Muscle Tone and Strength
Are My Child's Flat Feet Normal?
It is normal for a child to have flat feet until around age 2 due to the layer of baby fat that fills the arch area. At around 3 years of age the fat pad should disappear and you should notice a good arch when the child is sitting or lying down. However, when standing the arch may still appear very low but is completely normal in most cases. The arch appears flat due to the position of the heel bone (See before pic above). This heel position is referred to as everted, valgus, or pronated. The valgus heel will diminish 1° per year until the age of 6 at which time the heel should be vertical. A child's foot should take on it's adult form around the age of 10. This does not mean the child's foot will no longer grow, but about the age of 10 the foot type will be established (i.e., low, high, or flat arch). The ideal heal position for an adult is between 4° and 6° varus (see pic below). It is not normal for a child to be flat footed after 6 years old. There is a tendency to ignore a child's flat foot unless it is severe. Developmental flatfoot is the precursor to serious foot dysfunction and often results in some level of disability in the adult foot. Some adults with flat feet have no foot pain at all but suffer from knee, hip, and/or back pain due to the valgus position of the heel. If recognized early, it will save joints and musculoskeletal issues later in life.
5 Signs Your Child May Have a Foot Problem
Foot and ankle problems in children often go unnoticed. Signs and symptoms can be subtle, and sometimes children cannot explain what is wrong. But it is important to protect growing feet and have problems checked out early.
The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons offers five warning signs parents should watch for:
- Your Kids Cannot Keep Up with Their Peers - If children lag behind in sports or backyard play, it may be because their feet or legs are tired. Fatigue is common when children have flat feet. The muscles in the feet and legs tire easily because the feet are not functioning as well as they should.
- Children Voluntarily Withdraw from Activities they Usually Enjoy - If they are reluctant to participate, it may be due to heel pain—a problem often seen in children between the ages of eight and 14. Repetitive stress from sports may cause muscle strain and inflammation of the growth plate, a weak area at the back of a child’s heel.
- They Do Not Want to Show You Their Feet - Children may feel pain or notice a change in the appearance of their feet or nails but do not tell their parents because they fear a trip to the doctor’s office. Surgeons encourage parents to make a habit of inspecting their child’s feet starting at a young age. Look for any changes such as calluses, growths, skin discoloration or redness and swelling around the toenails.
- Your Child Often Trips and Falls - Repeated clumsiness may be a sign of in-toeing, balance problems or neuromuscular conditions.
- The Child Complains of Pain - It is never normal for a child to have foot pain. Injuries may seem minor, but if pain or swelling last more than a few days, have your child’s foot examined. Any child complaining of pain should be seen by their doctor to rule out a potentially serious condition.