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Idiopathic flexible flatfoot in the adolescent
Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
|July 1, 1989
Summary
Treatment for flexible flatfoot in children depends on age and deformity severity. Early intervention with wedges is common, while adolescents may require custom orthotics like UCBL devices or forefoot posts for optimal correction.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Pediatric Podiatry
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Flexible flatfoot is a common pediatric condition.
- Accurate diagnosis and treatment are crucial for long-term foot health.
- Several factors influence treatment decisions, including age and deformity characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline a treatment strategy for flexible flatfoot in children and adolescents.
- To categorize treatment approaches based on patient age and condition severity.
- To emphasize the importance of biomechanical evaluation in managing pediatric foot deformities.
Main Methods:
- Classification of patients into three age groups (4-7, 8-12, 13-17 years).
- Evaluation of key treatment considerations: age, flexibility, deformity severity, equinus, shoe wear, and symptoms.
- Application of specific orthotic interventions tailored to each age group and deformity type.
Main Results:
- Group 1 (ages 4-7): Helfet heel seat with medial plantar wedge.
- Group 2 (ages 8-12): UCBL-type device from a plaster mold, extending to metatarsal heads with medial/lateral elevation.
- Group 3 (ages 13-17): Forefoot post for forefoot varus, with potential additional heel wedging.
Conclusions:
- Age-specific treatment is essential for flexible flatfoot.
- Custom orthotics, such as UCBL devices and forefoot posts, provide necessary control for older adolescents.
- Comprehensive biomechanical assessment is vital for effective management of pediatric foot conditions.