- Chaitanya Shah, Practising Podiatrist, Founder Orthofit 

In today’s challenging environment, while parenting, among the various child’s development issues, “Physical Foundation” often takes aback seat over “Academic Foundation”. 

Shouldn’t you be concerned to secure child’s physical health for life? 

Here are few facts that may help you decide the utmost importance on development of Physical Foundation of your child.

 ·   Toddlers are born with extra padding on their cute little feet, looking flat and out of alignment.

·    Feet are the foundation of the human structure and up to age 5, they should walk barefoot as much as possible, to develop 

     balance, coordination, gait and posture.

·    As they begin to stand and walk, feet and the human kinetic chain begin to develop in all three planes and continue as they 

    become adult.

·      Child’s mal-alignment such as:

 -    Flat feet, Abnormal shaped feet/toes

-      In or out Toeing

-      Heel Pain

-      Knock Knee 

-      Bow legs

-      Limp while walking

-      Improper Gait and posture

-      Sweaty or dry feet, etc.

maybe resolved as they are Structurally growing from age 6 to 16, prior to entering adulthood.

·    At any age if the mal-alignment results in stiffness, pain, developing hard skin, calluses, warts, blisters, corn under the foot,  

     the problem is severe and must be evaluated by podiatrist/medical practitioner not only to resolve the symptoms but to find      and treat the root cause.

·    It is observed that not all children with mal-alignment are associated with pain or other chronic problems. However,in 

     adulthood they do lead to:

-      Altered gait, posture and movement

-      Muscular stiffness in the lower limb and lower back

-      Hampered physical activities &performance

-      Put on weight due to lack of physical activities

-      Prone to injuries

-      Deformities of foot, ankle and lower limb

-      Early age arthritis is likely to set in·     

Based on the above, hope the parents realise the fact that ‘physical foundation’ go hand in glove with the ‘Academic Foundation’ and  must focus on:

-         Gait & Posture as children’s feet sustain enormous pounding on the floor, carrying the body weight through the day.

-         Encourage children to participate daily in outdoor physical activities and gymnastics for challenging all muscle groups &  

          joints and competitively engaged in at least one sports.

-         Participate with your child in physical/athletic activities to assess the progress of the child’s physical development.

-         Look for the child’s physical performance, balance,stability co-ordination, flexibility, strength and endurance.

-         Watch out for kids complaint of pain in the feet, heel, legs, knees, etc. specially after sports and over exertion activities.

-         Examine periodically around the foot and ankle including toes and nails for dry skin,irritation, calluses, and abnormalities.

-         Watch out for unexplained tripping and falling, if it happens frequently, consult your medical practitioner.

-         At frequent interval have a detailed musculoskeletal physical fitness and biomechanical evaluation.

-         Consider functional/occupational therapy for tight and weak musculature and the use of orthotics for biomechanical     

          alignment to develop correct posture and gait.

-         Measure the Children’s feet from time to time. Remember many children will often outgrow their shoes well before the  

          shoes are worn out.

-         It is important that your kid’s feet are measured at regular intervals to ensure they wear the correct shoe size, by Length x           Width & Height and that provide room to wiggle their toes.

-         Ensure the footwear that provides stability and motion control during long hours of weight bearing and/or physical  

          activities.

-         Teach your kids at early age to wear the shoe, tighten the lace from bottom to top and tie the knot properly and secure  

          the end of the lace, and untie the laces before removing the foot out of the shoe. 

-         As the child grows the foot size increases as many as two sizes in one year. 

          Its important for the parents to check to ensure the greater toe does not hit the front of the shoe, the shoes are not 

          bulging on the sides; redness around the foot.

For more details Contact 1800 22 1674 or Email doctor@orthofit.in or Visit https://orthofit.in/flat-feet/