top of page

👣 How to Tell If Your Child Might Have Flat Feet

Many parents worry when they see their child’s footprint looking wide or flat but footprints alone don’t always tell the full story.

Every child’s foot is different. Some have naturally low arches or softer, fleshier feet that make their prints look flat even though their feet are fine.

Others have thinner feet with normal arches that leave prints that look “high-arched.”

So, instead of judging by footprints alone, here are three simple things you can check at home to better understand your child’s foot health.

1️⃣ Check the Heel Alignment

Ask your child to stand barefoot and relaxed.

Look at the back of their ankles from behind.
​
  • Normal feet: The heel bone and the Achilles tendon form a straight line up the leg.
  • Flat feet: The heel bone tilts inward, and the ankle looks like it’s “falling” toward the inside. This is called pronation and it often makes the arch look collapsed.
 
👉 The more the heel tilts inward, the more likely your child’s flat feet need attention.
Normal Feet.png

2️⃣ Feel for the Navicular Bone

On the inside of each foot, just above the arch, there’s a small bone called the navicular.

You can feel it as a small bump below the ankle bone.
  • Mild cases: The bump is barely visible.
  • Moderate: It sticks out a little more clearly.
  • Severe: The bone is very obvious or “pops out,” showing that the arch has collapsed more.
 
If the bone looks more prominent on one foot, that side may be weaker or flatter.
Mild Flat Feet.png

3️⃣ Look at the Arch Shape

Ask your child to sit down and lift one foot, you should see a gentle curve along the inner side of the foot.
 
Then ask them to stand and put weight on both feet.
  • Mild: The arch appears when sitting but flattens slightly when standing.
  • Moderate: The arch almost disappears when standing.
  • Severe: The arch is missing both when sitting and standing — the middle of the foot nearly touches the floor.
 
When the arch completely disappears under body weight, the feet may not be supporting movement properly.
Moderate Flat Feet.png
Severe Flat Feet.png

🧠 What This Means

If you notice your child’s heels leaning inward, a visible bump on the inner foot, or arches that collapse completely when standing, it could mean their foot muscles aren’t working as they should.

Flat feet can affect balance, posture, and the way your child walks or runs. The good news is that many cases can be improved through the right type of training, not just insoles.

❤️ How We Can Help

At SpineCare Engineering, we help children retrain their foot muscles through gentle, science-based exercises, without relying on insoles or shoe inserts.

Our goal is simple:
To help every child walk, run, and play with confidence, keeping childhood excitement alive as a permanent gift.
​
📞 If you’ve noticed any of these signs and would like advice or an assessment, feel free to WhatsApp us at 012-686 5664.

We’re happy to help you understand your child’s feet and take the first step toward healthy movement.
p1.webp
bottom of page