Flat FeetThe questions below were raised by visitors to the STOMP (Straits Times Online Mobile Print) website in the AskST section of the website. eMenders doctors provided the answers to the questions raised as a public health education project. The information provided below is of a general nature and should not be treated as a replacement for medical advice. You should seek consultation from a medical or healthcare professional about your specific medical condition.
Question:
My 12 year-old daughter has flat feet. Recently she felt pain in her feet and hips. What can we do to prevent the pain? Will she get complications when she's older?
Answer:
Your daughter’s case should be assessed to be certain it is non-structural (i.e., not due to bone or joint abnormality), or due to causes such as neurological problems and ligament laxity.
The hip and back pain is most likely secondary to the flat feet. The problem is usually the footwear that causes the pain. This can be treated by podiatric care and an insole may be necessary.
Immediate trail use of good cross trainers such as those by Asics, Nike etc with good insoles may be useful.
DR. YEO KHEE QUAN is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre. He is also a Visiting Consultant at the Singapore General Hospital and a Clinical Teacher in Orthopaedics at the National University of Singapore.