Childhood (flexible) flat feet - when is it normal and when should you see a doctor?
Author Dr. Ákos Morvai | 2025.11.18.
What is childhood flexible flat feet and why is it usually considered normal?
Many parents are frightened when they see their child with „flat feet” - that is, flat feet, ankles that tilt inwards, especially when standing.
In most cases, however, this a completely natural and temporary condition!
Childhood is common in flexible flat foot (flexible pes planovalgus), which is mainly due to the use of loose strips (so-called. laxity) are caused by.
At such times:
- the sole flattens when the child stands,
- but re-emerge, when you stand on tiptoe, when you put your big toe up, or when your feet are dangling.
This indicates that the vault still works, just flexible - so it is not abnormal!
Why does it develop?
The most common causes of flexible flat feet are generalised laxity of the ligaments available.
This happens to many children, and most of them outgrow it.
About. in a quarter of cases (25%) it can be observed that the calf muscles (gastrocnemius-soleus) also contributes to the flattening of the vault.
Dr. Ákos Morvai
Paediatric and neuro-orthopaedic surgeon
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How common is it?
In children, there is no exact data, because in many cases they grow unnoticed.
In adult age, however, the affects 20-25% of the population some degree of flat feet.
What can be done?
In most cases does not require treatment, only:
- observation,
- regular stretching,
- and lots of movement (running, climbing, walking barefoot on different surfaces).
In the vast majority of cases, flat feet will sort itself out during growth.
Only rarely, if the deformity progresses or causes complaints or pain, surgery is considered.
In such cases, however, it is very important to have a timely specialist examination, because even minimally invasive surgery can be sufficient to correct the position of the foot if it is detected early.
If you are unsure or want to have your child's foot checked by an orthopaedic specialist, as a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon, I am happy to help with advice or an examination.