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My child’s feet are flat or too hollow
He has flat feet. When a small child walks barefoot, we cannot see his arch and we are worried. In reality, it is only an optical illusion. His soles are well padded. The toddler has naturally flat feet. When it is supported, the foot flattens under its weight and its arch disappears.
He has hollow feet. When the child is not in support, his foot is hollow. This arch is intended to be accentuated as he grows and mastery of walking. Ask your shoemaker for advice on choosing the right shoes. They must be solid, leather with internal and posterior buttress. No need to buy orthopedic insoles, which are often expensive and ineffective. Do not hesitate to make it walk barefoot, on the sand in particular. It is ideal for strengthening your muscles.
When to worry When his feet remain flat and especially stiff after 5-6 years, it is imperative to consult your doctor. For hollow feet, watch their position. And see a doctor when his foot is only resting on the ground through his heel and forefoot and feels like a curled up foot. This can indeed indicate neuromuscular immaturity. The doctor can then prescribe a plaster splint at night and physiotherapy sessions.
My child’s legs are turned inward
Normal up to 4 years. In babies, the bones of the leg, thigh, tibia, and femur are inherently twisted inward. We therefore have the impression that he is walking inside, especially when he is barefoot. This way of walking often comes from the torsion of the tibia but this defect is generally corrected around 4 years of age.
Assist. To help her correct this little flaw, try to prevent her from sitting with her feet propped up under her buttocks or on her sides. Stand in front of him and sit cross-legged while asking him to imitate you.
When to consult? Sometimes the rotation of the femur persists beyond 3-4 years causing both the kneecaps, the legs and the feet inward. Depending on the degree of deformity, your specialist will recommend surgery.
My child’s knees are not straight
Outside or inside. The legs form an “O” up to 2 years and an “X” up to 4 years. It is not a deformation but it is part of the process of verticalization. It only ends in adolescence with the alignment of the lower limbs. Up to 18 months, children have their knees apart. This is called ‘genu varum’, which usually fades after a few months. And from 2-3 years old, the knees come closer, it is the “genu valgum”, which is supposed to disappear around the age of 4 years.
When to worry From 2 years old, the ‘genu varum’ can get worse. It becomes asymmetrical and the kneecaps are right in front. Depending on the severity, a radiographic assessment will be necessary every six months to follow the evolution. As for ‘genu valgum’, you should see your doctor if the child hits the knees and falls often. Despite everything, no treatment will be undertaken to put the knees back in line before pre-adolescence. Imperfections can fade over time.
Your questions about your child’s orthopedic problems
My child spreads his ankles when he walks, is it because he is a bit fat?
An overweight child is often forced to spread his ankles to walk, this is not a ‘genu valgum’, but indeed a weight problem. Ask your doctor for advice.