What are the limitations of using insoles in growing children?
While insoles may provide short-term comfort or support, there are several important limitations to consider, especially in growing children:​​
1) Limited development of foot motor skills
Insoles support the foot externally but do not teach the child how to actively control foot muscles, coordination, or arch formation during standing, walking, or running.
2) Dependency on external support
Over time, children may rely on the insole to “hold up” an artificial arch, rather than learning how to generate and maintain arch control naturally.
3) Discomfort and skin irritation
Some children experience foot pain, pressure points, blisters, or skin irritation due to prolonged contact, friction, or improper fit of the insole.
4) Interference with running and dynamic movement
Many insoles are relatively rigid and are designed mainly for standing or walking. During running, this rigidity can interfere with natural foot mechanics, reduce comfort, increase stress on the foot, and lead to faster insole damage.
5) Delayed opportunity for optimal intervention
For children with flexible flat feet, the ideal window for learning foot motor control and gait retraining is before ankle stiffness increases, typically around ages 10–11. Prolonged reliance on insoles may delay active intervention during this critical developmental period.
Summary
Insoles can offer temporary support, but they do not replace the need for active foot motor learning. For growing children, especially those with flexible flat feet (or before ankle rigidity), early skill-based training plays a key role in long-term foot function.