What is normal?
A child of this age may have an appearance of knock-knees. If this doesn’t resolve by the age of 7, it may continue into adult life. Therefore an assessment by a suitable health professional is advised.
As part of this, there may be an internal rotation of the legs from the hips. This can especially happen after or during a marked growth phase, as the hamstring muscles often become tight and as a result internally rotate the legs on the hips.
What is abnormal?
If a child is still demonstrating structurally “flat feet” at the age of 6 then this should be assessed by a podiatrist. Structural problems such as abnormally joined bones may be present, so tests such as X-rays, CT scans or other imaging techniques may be indicated.
Keep in mind that early diagnosis often means early treatment. If the arch of your child’s foot excessively ‘rolls-in’, it is advisable to have that cause identified by a podiatrist qualified and experienced with young children’s foot and leg conditions. Once the cause of the flattening is discovered, the condition can be addressed. This process of diagnosing WHY the foot rolls-in rather than just supporting the foot to improve it’s posture is most important for the future development of your child’s foot.
WARNING : This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional podiatric advice. Treatment will vary between individuals depending upon your diagnosis and presenting complaint. An accurate diagnosis can only be made following personal consultation with a Podiatrist.
