Non Surgical treatment for Flat Feet?? Anyone BTDT??

[Ibbygirl]

Looking to the Hive for it's collective wisdom once again. I'd really appreciate any advice from anyone who has experience with flat feet? As many of you know already, my son is profoundly Autistic. He's always walked on his toes since he was a toddler and now that he's almost 10 years old it has caused problems that the podiatrist says can only be solved by surgery to lengthen the back of the leg muscles. Obviously we really don't want to go the route of surgery if there is anything else that is possible. The difficulty is that because of the Autism, anything we do has to be able to be done "to him" as he probably won't be able to follow instructions.

 

Thank you to all who reply. :grouphug:

[Negin]

I had flat feet as a baby. My pediatrician had my mom tie my feet up with ropes/elastic/whatever and orthopedic shoes every night while I was sleeping throughout my baby and toddler years. I would not have cooperated otherwise.

You mentioned autism. I'm so sorry. :grouphug:

Not that you're asking for advice, and I hope that I don't offend :confused: ... but I have read time and time again that cow's milk should be avoided for autism.

Sorry if none of this was much help. You have been in my thoughts. :grouphug:

[Ibbygirl]

I had flat feet as a baby. My pediatrician had my mom tie my feet up with ropes/elastic/whatever and orthopedic shoes every night while I was sleeping throughout my baby and toddler years. I would not have cooperated otherwise.

You mentioned autism. I'm so sorry. :grouphug:

Not that you're asking for advice, and I hope that I don't offend :confused: ... but I have read time and time again that cow's milk should be avoided for autism.

Sorry if none of this was much help. You have been in my thoughts. :grouphug:

 

Oh sweetie, how could I ever take offense from someone offering to help. :grouphug:

 

Thank you for your sweet words and thoughts. My son doesn't drink cow's milk at all. He nursed until he was 5 years old and then weaned himself and has never drunk milk since. He's almost 10 now (next month).

 

Do you remember how your mom tied your feet up?? What was the purpose for it? Was it to stretch the muscles or give you a type of arch support? Thanks for your replies. :)

[Amber in AUS]

I *think* they can make splints which you put on the legs, ankles, feet to keep them in position and then progressively change the splints as the tendons lengthen. I vaguely remember someone in PS having them when i was in school.

[Ibbygirl]

I *think* they can make splints which you put on the legs, ankles, feet to keep them in position and then progressively change the splints as the tendons lengthen. I vaguely remember someone in PS having them when i was in school.

 

Thanks Amber. :)

[Ottakee]

I would check with a physical therapist. They have helped me avoid surgery for my ankle/tendon. NOw I am at the point where I can get custom orthodics ($350) that will hopefully help things. It isn't a cheap option but your insurance might cover it but it has worked for me.

 

Make sure to ask for a therapist experienced in his issues and experienced with kids with autism.

[littlebug42]

I googled and found this site that lists several options for nonsurgical treatment:

 

http://www.foothealthfacts.org/footankleinfo/pediatric-flatfoot.htm

 

If surgery was mentioned, I would seek a second opinion. I have spent the better part of 8 years dealing with nonsurgical methods of treating clubfoot with my daughter. There is a pediatric ortho that deals with nonsurgical treatment of clubfoot in South Florida. I don't know anything about him personally but I thought I would give his information because if he has a commitment to nonsurgical treatment for clubfoot, perhaps he might be able to offer you some guidance. Surgery may be unavoidable but I would certainly try all that I could to prevent it.

 

Peter J. Romano II, MD

Scoliosis and Pediatric Orthopaedic Center

4101 South Hospital Drive - Ste. 5

Plantation FL 33317

Phone: 954-321-7762

Fax: 954-321-9596

[Teachin'Mine]

No knowledge and no experience, but I would think that with him being so young, that it would easily be possible to stretch the muscles through stretching exercises. A physical therapist would be able to guide you on what to do. It sounds similar to when someone wears only high heels for years on end and then can't walk barefoot or in flats without tremendous pain. Less common these days as sneakers are in for walking, but it was common in the 60's and 70's.

 

I'm also wondering if something like the earth shoe would help as it positions the heel lower than the soul of the foot. It might help to reduce slightly how high on his toes he goes and would help to lengthen the muscles slightly. I could see though just letting him lie on the floor on his back and gently pushing the front of the foot back alternating feet. I'd do it gently and for short times several times a day.

 

Good for you for looking for alternatives to surgery!

[HollyDay]

I'm dealing with this now with my 11 year old dd. In fact, I started a thread last week on the topic. Our docs have also said surgery is probably in her future. Her feet are VERY flat and so far orthotics have failed to help. 2 years ago, the docs said to abandon orthotics as they were causing more pain than helping. However, we have found an orthotics specialist that deals primarily with runners.

 

He evaluated dd last week and made some recommendations. He is going to start with us taping her arch at night. Also, she is going to start wearing no-motion shoes as soon as they arrive (we had to special order). He said surgery might still be in her future, especially on one of her feet because of how major that pronation is. He gave some stretches, mainly what the PT had already given. (If you have not already had a PT or OT eval for feet, I'd highly recommend it!). He also wants us to massage dd's feet and legs every day to break up muscle spasms.

 

Not sure if that helps or not........

[Starr]

Not medical but ds isn't on his toes as much when he wears hiking boots.

[Ibbygirl]

Thank you so much everyone for your replies. It's truly helpful.

 

Thanks littlebug42 for the recommendation. That's actually not too far from me. I think the podiatrist I took my son to might even be in that same complex, but he's not the same doctor. :)

 

@HollyDay... what kinds of shoes did you purchase? Do you have a link you could share or a photo image?

 

I actually do massage my son's legs and feet everyday already. I have this hand held wooden massager that has rollers on it and I've been using that. I also try to gently stretch his legs too, but his feet are super flat. His left foot in particular turns out almost sideways. The podiatrist told us that orthotics wouldn't help him. :(

 

For those of you who have toe walkers, do you use a weighted vest for it and does it help?

[HollyDay]

The shoes selected for dd are made by Brooks and are "no motion" control shoes. He did lots of measurements and asked dd to walk several times prior to making his selection. He said it might not be the final one yet. After they come in, he will again remeasure, take the insole out and see how it fits, then have dd walk with it on. He felt dd was not ready for orthotics yet. He said it could take several month to a year before the taping and no motion shoes get her feet ready for orthotics.

 

One additional thing I forgot to add was special socks. He wants her to wear smartwool socks with stabilizer built into it. I happen to have a few pair of these from my foot injury. Dd loves them, they are warm and provide some minimal support. The tech is looking into "medical grade" wool socks with support but I'm not sure which ones. Honestly, I was over loaded by the time we left (1 hour appt). Hoping this Fri, we can get the shoes and learn how to do the taping. He should have info about the socks too.

 

Have you looked at FitFlops? They are pricey, but dd wears them all spring and summer. In fact, the tech said one reason he thinks dd's feet have started hurting now is that it has been too cold to wear the FitFlops for the last couple months.

[Ottakee]

HollyDay---just an encouragement---I had different issues but the Brooks Dyad (no motion shoe) and taping from the physical therapist really helped. I went for custom orthotics from http://www.biocorrect.com They are semi local to me so I made the drive. Looks like I can avoid surgery--at least for now.

 

The exercises from the physical therapist have also helped quite a bit.

[HollyDay]

Thank you so much Ottakee!! We are hoping she can tolerate orthotics within the year. The taping is not something I have researched before

[mommymilkies]

Two of my brothers have extremely flat feet. I call them duck feet because of the sound they make walking. ;) They use special orthopedic inserts and do football and track with no problems. :)

[Barb_]

Ballet? My Asperger's daughter cannot dance, but is a beautiful ballerina (and now belly dancer, actually). She thrives on dance with rules attached and the lessons did wonders for her posture, muscle development, flexibility and coordination during those growing years. Actually, come to think of it, she also loved fencing and was quite good at that too. She called it "ballet with weapons."

 

Barb

[Negin]

Do you remember how your mom tied your feet up?? What was the purpose for it? Was it to stretch the muscles or give you a type of arch support? Thanks for your replies. :)

Thank you for your very kind words. :grouphug:

 

Good to hear that your ds doesn't drink cow's milk.

 

I wouldn't remember how she tied them. I can ask her later. I meant to ask her last night, but we had company and I forgot.

What I do know is that she would put orthopedic/corrective shoes on me and tie them up tightly with some sort of rope/strong elastic bands all over, in such a way, that it was virtually impossible for them to slide off my feet ... I have no idea how she did it. It was to help correct my flat feet. It worked. My mother did it for vanity. She wanted me to grow up and have the option of wearing high heels. This was done under my pediatrician's advice.

 

So happy to see that others have posted and given such great advice.

 

Here are some links that I hope are helpful also.

 

http://www.podiatrynetwork.com/r_pediatric_flatfoot.cfm

 

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/special/bone/106.html

 

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/archive/index.php/t-28412.html

 

http://www.circleofmoms.com/autismaspergerspdd-awareness/Toe-Walking-372854

 

http://www.autism-pdd.net/testdump/test29833.htm

[Ibbygirl]

The shoes selected for dd are made by Brooks and are "no motion" control shoes. He did lots of measurements and asked dd to walk several times prior to making his selection. He said it might not be the final one yet. After they come in, he will again remeasure, take the insole out and see how it fits, then have dd walk with it on. He felt dd was not ready for orthotics yet. He said it could take several month to a year before the taping and no motion shoes get her feet ready for orthotics.

 

One additional thing I forgot to add was special socks. He wants her to wear smartwool socks with stabilizer built into it. I happen to have a few pair of these from my foot injury. Dd loves them, they are warm and provide some minimal support. The tech is looking into "medical grade" wool socks with support but I'm not sure which ones. Honestly, I was over loaded by the time we left (1 hour appt). Hoping this Fri, we can get the shoes and learn how to do the taping. He should have info about the socks too.

 

Have you looked at FitFlops? They are pricey, but dd wears them all spring and summer. In fact, the tech said one reason he thinks dd's feet have started hurting now is that it has been too cold to wear the FitFlops for the last couple months.

Thank you so much for this. I will look into FitFlops as we live in pretty much year round sandal weather. Do you wear the special socks with them or just the bare feet? Oh please update and let me know what the dr. tells you on Friday. I'm especially interested in the taping of the feet. Thank you so much for your wonderful advice. :)

 

Thank you for your very kind words. :grouphug:

 

Good to hear that your ds doesn't drink cow's milk.

 

I wouldn't remember how she tied them. I can ask her later. I meant to ask her last night, but we had company and I forgot.

What I do know is that she would put orthopedic/corrective shoes on me and tie them up tightly with some sort of rope/strong elastic bands all over, in such a way, that it was virtually impossible for them to slide off my feet ... I have no idea how she did it. It was to help correct my flat feet. It worked. My mother did it for vanity. She wanted me to grow up and have the option of wearing high heels. This was done under my pediatrician's advice.

 

So happy to see that others have posted and given such great advice.

 

Here are some links that I hope are helpful also.

 

http://www.podiatrynetwork.com/r_pediatric_flatfoot.cfm

 

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/special/bone/106.html

 

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/archive/index.php/t-28412.html

 

http://www.circleofmoms.com/autismaspergerspdd-awareness/Toe-Walking-372854

 

http://www.autism-pdd.net/testdump/test29833.htm

 

Oh thank you so much. Off to look those up. :)

[Ibbygirl]

Thank you for your very kind words. :grouphug:

 

Good to hear that your ds doesn't drink cow's milk.

 

I wouldn't remember how she tied them. I can ask her later. I meant to ask her last night, but we had company and I forgot.

What I do know is that she would put orthopedic/corrective shoes on me and tie them up tightly with some sort of rope/strong elastic bands all over, in such a way, that it was virtually impossible for them to slide off my feet ... I have no idea how she did it. It was to help correct my flat feet. It worked. My mother did it for vanity. She wanted me to grow up and have the option of wearing high heels. This was done under my pediatrician's advice.

 

So happy to see that others have posted and given such great advice.

 

Here are some links that I hope are helpful also.

 

http://www.podiatrynetwork.com/r_pediatric_flatfoot.cfm

 

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/special/bone/106.html

 

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/archive/index.php/t-28412.html

 

http://www.circleofmoms.com/autismaspergerspdd-awareness/Toe-Walking-372854

 

http://www.autism-pdd.net/testdump/test29833.htm

 

Thank you so much for those links!! They are awesome. I actually live less than 2 miles from the beach so the walking in the sand I can do with him on a very regular basis. The mom who posted that her son's podiatrist recommend it said it cured her son completely and he didn't need the surgery. I'm going to try it. Thank you so much for that. :)