- NICU Visitor Restrictions
-
The Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) at Riley Hospital for Children and IU Health Methodist Hospital are putting visitor restrictions in place starting Monday, Nov. 18th. Only visits by parents plus four designated adults identified by the parents will be allowed on the NICU floor.
Siblings and children under 18 will not be permitted. These restrictions minimize risk of infection to patients already at risk and will be in place through spring 2020.
Same-Day Primary Care Appointments.
Flexible flatfoot is considered a variation of a normal foot. Most children are born with very little arch in their feet. As children grow and walk, the soft tissues along the bottom of the feet begin to tighten. This creates the shape of the arch.
Children with flexible flatfoot often do not begin to develop an arch until age 5 or older. Some children never develop an arch.
The muscles and joints of a flexible flatfoot should function normally. It is usually painless and does not interfere with walking or sports participation.
Diagnosis of Flatfoot
If you think your child may have flexible flatfoot, you may request to have an orthopedic specialist examine his or her feet. The orthopedist may want to do an X-ray to see the bones of the foot more clearly.
Treatments
Treatments
In many cases, special shoes and arch supports are not necessary. Only a few cases of flatfoot may need surgical correction when a child is older, but this is rare.
Your child's pediatrician will monitor the condition over the years if there is any concern that the condition could interfere with your child's ability to walk later in life.
Key Points to Remember
Key Points to Remember
- Flexible flatfoot is considered a variation of a normal foot.
- Children with flexible flatfoot often do not begin to develop an arch until age 5 or older. Some children never develop an arch.
- Flexible flatfoot is usually painless and does not interfere with walking or sports participation.
- A pediatric orthopedist can diagnose flexible flatfoot through a physical exam and X-ray imaging.
- Only a few cases of flatfoot may need surgical correction when a child is older, but this is rare.
Support Services & Resources
Support Services & Resources
Visit the following online resources to learn more about flatfoot.
Riley at IU Health offers a broad range of supportive services to make life better for families who choose us for their children's care.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons provides more information about the causes, symptoms and treatment of flatfoot.
The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons offers additional information about flatfoot in children.