Paediatric flat foot is a common condition that can run in families. it is often caused by loose connections between joints and excess baby fat deposits between foot bones which make the entire foot touch the floor when the child stands up. A rare condition called Tarsal Coalition can also cause flatfoot. In this condition, two or more bones of the foot join together abnormally causing stiff and painful flat feet.
Your doctor will perform a physical examination of your child’s foot and observe the child in standing and sitting positions. If an arch form when the child stands on his toes, then the flatfoot is flexible and no further tests or treatment are necessary. If pain is associated with the condition, or if the arch does not form on standing on toes, then X-rays are ordered to assess the severity of the deformity. A computed tomography (CT) scan is done if tarsal coalition is suspected and if tendon injury is presumed a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended.