Paediatric Flat Feet
Flat feet are one of the most common reasons parents bring their child in to see us at Emerald Hill Podiatry, often after noticing there’s little to no visible arch when their child stands. In the majority of cases, this is a completely normal part of early foot development, but our podiatrists assess each child individually to distinguish a flexible, developing arch from the smaller number of cases that benefit from further support.
What Is Paediatric Flat Feet?
Paediatric flat feet, or paediatric pes planus, describes a foot with a low or absent arch in a child, most easily noticed when they stand and the sole of the foot appears to touch the ground almost entirely. Nearly all babies and toddlers are born with flat-looking feet, largely because the arch hasn’t fully formed yet and is cushioned by a layer of baby fat. For most children, an arch gradually becomes visible over the following years as the muscles, ligaments, and bones of the foot mature.
Flexible vs Rigid Flat Feet
Not all flat feet in children are the same, and the distinction matters for how they’re managed:
- Flexible flat feet — the arch appears when the child stands on their toes or when the foot is unweighted, but flattens out again under weight-bearing. This is the most common type and is usually a normal developmental variation rather than a problem needing correction
- Rigid flat feet — the arch remains flat regardless of position or weight-bearing, which is less common and more likely to be linked to an underlying structural cause, such as a bony coalition between two foot bones, that warrants closer assessment
Why Many Children Have Flat-Looking Feet
Beyond the natural baby fat that makes young feet appear flatter than they are, children’s ligaments are naturally more flexible than adults’, which allows the arch to collapse more easily under weight even once it has started to form. Combined with the fact that the bones of the foot are still developing well into the school-age years, this means a flat-looking foot in a young child is far more often a normal stage of development than a condition requiring treatment.
When to See a Podiatrist
See a podiatrist if:
Your child complains of foot, leg, or knee pain
The foot appears flat and rigid even when your child stands on their toes
Your child seems to tire more easily or avoids physical activity compared to peers
There's a significant difference in appearance between the left and right foot
You'd like reassurance about whether your child's flat feet are following a normal developmental pattern
Get Your Child's Flat Feet Properly Assessed
Supporting the Developing Arch for Pain-Free Movement
For most children, flexible flat feet don’t need active treatment, but where pain, asymmetry, or a rigid foot type is present, support can help.
Options include:
- Gait and Alignment Assessment — evaluates how the flat foot type is affecting your child's walking pattern, posture, and lower leg alignment
- Custom Orthotics — provide arch support to ease discomfort and improve foot function during growth, particularly useful for children experiencing pain or fatigue during activity
- Monitoring Through Growth — periodic review to track whether an arch is developing as expected, or to flag a rigid or non-improving flat foot for further assessment
What to Expect at Your Assessment
Your podiatrist examines your child’s foot in both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing positions to determine whether the flat foot is flexible or rigid, checks their gait, and asks about any pain or activity limitations. In most cases, this gives parents clear reassurance, with a support plan put in place for the cases that need it.
