Your child has flat feet and you are concerned. Everyone tells you to put your child in an arch support or shoe insert. First off, understand this, no insole or orthotic will magically produce an arch in your child. If genetics made his foot flat, there is nothing that can be done to stop his or her foot from being flat. The goal of orthotic therapy in children with flat feet should be to reduce any pain or discomfort they are feeling.
Typically, children’s flat foot pain will manifest itself as the child complaining of their foot being tired or fatigue. Or your child will complain of a generalized pain with the inability to point out just one spot. What do you look for in an orthotic to treat flat feet? Well, the first thing is you do not want an orthotic with a high arch as that will just cause your child more pain. You want an orthotic that will contour to your child’s foot, while still giving arch support. Additionally, you want your child’s orthotic to have a deep heel cup, which will help control overpronation of the area. The most important feature, however, is will your child wear them; the orthotic has to be comfortable. If the orthotic is not comfortable your child will not wear them.
Below I have listed the best children’s orthotics for flat feet:
Spenco Kids Polysorb– These orthotics are extremely comfortable. If you are worried about your child being picky or your child has already thrown two pairs out because they were not comfortable. This is the orthotic for you. This orthotic utilizes memory foam to contour to your child’s foot, as well as Spencore material which will provide spring like comfort for your child. If you have resigned yourself to your child’s foot being flat and just want to make your child more comfortable, this would be the orthotic to wear. This orthotic, however, does not give the arch support or biomechanical control of orthotics listed below.
Footminders– This orthotic stands out due to its deep heel cup which can help control overpronation in the child. Additionally, the orthotic provides firm but comfortable arch support. If your child complains about his feet being tired, this would be an ideal orthotic for him to wear.
Powerstep PowerKids Pediatric Orthotic Supports– This is perhaps my favorite orthotic for children with flat feet. The orthotic has a durable EVA base with a Poron comfort which is ideal for shock absorption. It also features a deep heel cup that is posted medially. In my opinion this orthotic provides the best balance between support, comfort and functional control.