Introduction: Pediatric Flat Foot (PFF) is a deviation consisting of loss of the Medial Longitudinal Arch in children. Purpose: Aim of this study is to collect information on the recent literature and to investigate through clinical assessment and parental observations the effectiveness of the use of foot orthotics by children with SFFF. Method: 20 children aged 6 - 7 years old with mobility difficulties were evaluated before and after a six-month treatment with orthotics regarding pain, post-game pain, fatigue during game, balance impairment, gait deviations, falls, clumsiness, activity avoidance and worn soles. Results: Study results indicate that foot orthotics (FOs) appears to have a positive impact on the advance of pain, post game pain, gait deviations and worn insoles. It is implied that orthoses have a great potential as a treatment for SFFF. Thorough comprehension of the literature evidence, as well as composition of supplementary studies of larger pediatric populations is essential in order to reach a consensus on the use of foot orthotics (FOs) by children SFFF.
References
[1]
Pauk, J. and Griskevicius, J. (2011) Ground Reaction Force and Support Moment in Typical and Flat-Feet Children. Mechanics, 17, 93-96. https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.mech.17.1.209
[2]
Foot Health Facts. The Official Consumer Website of American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/pediatric-flatfoot.htm
[3]
Benedetti, M.G., Ceccarelli, F., Berti, L., Luciani, D., Catani, F., Boschi, M., et al. (2011) Diagnosis of Flexible Flatfoot in Children: A Systematic Clinical Approach. Orthopedics, 34, 94. https://doi.org/10.3928/01477447-20101221-04
[4]
Caselli, M.A., Sobel, E. and McHale, K.A. (1998) Pedal Manifestations of Musculoskeletal Disease in Children. Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, 15, 481-497.
[5]
Harris, E.J. (2000) The Oblique Talus Deformity. What Is It, and What Is Its Clinical Significance in the Scheme of Pronatory Deformities? Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, 17, 419-442.
[6]
Harris, E.J., Vanore, J.V., Thomas, J.L., et al. (2004) Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Flatfoot. The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, 43, 341-373. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jfas.2004.09.013
[7]
Fabry, G. (2010) Clinical Practice. Static, Axial, and Rotational Deformities of the Lower Extremities in Children. European Journal of Pediatrics, 169, 529-534. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-009-1122-x
[8]
Yagerman, S.E., Cross, M.B., Positano, R. and Doyle, S.M. (2011) Evaluation and Treatment of Symptomatic Pes Planus. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 23, 60-67.
[9]
Nemeth, B. (2011) The Diagnosis and Management of Common Childhood Orthopedic Disorders. Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care, 41, 2-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cppeds.2010.10.004
[10]
Houghton, K.M. (2008) Review for the Generalist: Evaluation of Pediatric Foot and ankle Pain. Pediatric Rheumatology, 6, Article No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/1546-0096-6-6
[11]
Ferciot, C.F. (1972) The Etiology of Developmental Flatfoot. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 85, 7-10.
[12]
Basmajian, J.V. and Stecko, G. (1963) The Role of Muscles in Arch Support of the Foot. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 45, 1184-1190.
[13]
Carter, C. and Wilkinson, J. (1964) Persistent Joint Laxity and Congenital Dislocation of the Hip. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 46-B, 40-45. https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.46B1.40
[14]
Hicks, J.H. (1954) The Mechanics of the Foot. II. The Plantar Aponeurosis and the Arch. Journal of Anatomy, 88, 25-30.
[15]
Evans, A.M. (2008) The Flat-Footed Child—To Treat or Not to Treat. What Is the Clinician to Do? Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, 98, 386-393. https://doi.org/10.7547/0980386
[16]
Stavlas, P., Grivas, T.B., Michas, C., Vasiliadis, E. and Polyzois, V. (2005) The Evolution of Foot Morphology in Children between 6 and 17 Years of Age: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on Footprints in a Mediterranean Population. The Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery, 44, 424-428. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jfas.2005.07.023
[17]
Chen, K.-C., Tung, L.-C., Tung, C.-H., Yeh, C.-J., Yang, J.-F. and Wang, C.-H. (2014) An Investigation of the Factors Affecting Flatfoot in Children with Delayed Motor Development. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 35, 639-645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2013.12.012
[18]
Dunn, J., Link, C., Felson, D., Crincoli, M., Keysor, J. and McKinlay, J. (2004) Prevalence of Foot and Ankle Conditions in a Multiethnic Community Sample of Older Adults. American Journal of Epidemiology, 159, 491-498. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwh071
[19]
Whitford, D. and Esterman, A. (2007) A Randomized Controlled Trial of Two Types of In-Shoe Orthoses in Children with Flexible Excess Pronation of the Feet. Foot & Ankle International, 28, 715-23. https://doi.org/10.3113/FAI.2007.0715
[20]
Lee, H.-J., Lim, K.-B., Yoo, J., Yoon, S.-W., Yun, H.-J., & Jeong, T.-H. (2015) Effect of Custom-Molded Foot Orthoses on Foot Pain and Balance in Children with Symptomatic Flexible Flat Feet. Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine, 39, 905-913. https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2015.39.6.905
[21]
Powell, M., Seid, M. and Szer, I.S. (2005) Efficacy of Custom Foot Orthotics in Improving Pain and Functional Status in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Randomized Trial. The Journal of Rheumatology, 32, 943-950.
[22]
Dars, S., Uden, H., Banwell, H.A. and Kumar, S (2018) The Effectiveness of Non-Surgical Intervention (Foot Orthoses) for Paediatric Flexible Pes Planus: A Systematic Review: Update. PLoS ONE, 13, e0193060. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0193060
[23]
Rome, K., Ashford, R.L. and Evans, A. (2010) Non-Surgical Interventions for Paediatric Pes Planus. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, No. 7, CD006311. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006311.pub2
[24]
Evans, A.M. and Rome, K. (2011) A Cochrane Review of the Evidence for Non-Surgical Interventions for Flexible Pediatric Flat Feet. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 47, 69-89.
[25]
Pfeiffer, M., Kotz, R., Ledl, T., Hauser, G. and Sluga, M. (2006) Prevalence of Flat Foot in Preschool-Aged Children. Pediatrics, 118, 634-639. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2005-2126
[26]
Tudor, A., Ruzic, L., Sestan, B., Sirola, L. and Prpi?, T. (2009) Flat-Footedness Is Not a Disadvantage for Athletic Performance in Children Aged 11 to 15 Years. Pediatrics, 123, e386-e392. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2008-2262
[27]
Yan, G.S., Yang, Z., Lu, M., Zhang, J.L., Zhu, Z.H. and Guo, Y. (2013) Relationship between Symptoms and Weight-Bearing Radiographic Parameters of Idiopathic Flexible Flatfoot in Children. Chinese Medical Journal, 126, 2029-2033.
[28]
Evans, A.M., Rome, K. and Peet, L. (2012) The Foot Posture Index, Ankle Lunge Test, Beighton Scale and the Lower Limb Assessment Score in Healthy Children: A Reliability Study. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 5, Article No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/1757-1146-5-1
[29]
Krul, M., Van Der Wouden, J.C., Schellevis, F.G., Van Suijlekom-Smit, L.W. and Koes, B.W. (2009) Foot Problems in Children Presented to the Family Physician: A Comparison between 1987 and 2001. Family Practice, 26,174-179. https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmp018
[30]
MacKenzie, A., Rome, K. and Evans, A.M. (2012) The Efficacy of Nonsurgical Interventions for Pediatric Flexible Flat Foot: A Critical Review. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 32, 830-834. https://doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0b013e3182648c95