What is a Platypodia?

As a fresh paramedic I have decided that most of my notes on this blog will be related to the children's health. Diseases that we have to deal and cope with difficult situations which may occur everyday like: burns, a foreign body in the eye, broken parts of the body and lots of other examples that threaten children's life. 

This problem is very popular and it may concern many parents, some of them probably have no idea that their child can have this defect. It is a PLATYPODIA. 

What is a Platypodia?

During the entire children's life their feet muscles develop and create a characteristic vault between the heel to toe. From 3-4 years old feet should be already formed properly. Sometimes the arch is very low or almost invisible. 

  

  

How to check if your kid has got a Platypodia?

The first idea that can bring you lots of joy is the example with painting your child's  foot and making a foot prints on a piece of paper. Let your child walk freely. After that you can see if their footprints are correct and with a proper arch. If a foot print is not correct or the shape is more like the bottom of an iron, then your baby probably has got a Platypodia. 

The second idea that is very easy to check is to ask your child to stand on tiptoe. If during this exercise you cannot notice the longitudinal arch (the foot fully adheres to the floor) or when the kid stands on tiptoe then it means that the muscles did not develop properly yet.

 

What are the most common causes of flat feet and where do they come from?

First of all, you have to exercise your child’s feet and  muscles, they should not walk uncomfortable shoes, socks or rompers because all these things can make the feet weak. Platypodia is most common with children who started to walk in an early age. You should not push your child for fast walking until he/ she does not feel like it.  This day will surely come,  sooner than any of us would think, only when  the muscular and skeletal system will be ready for it. 

How to deal with it? Some ideas for corrective exercises: 

The best way to do exercises with your child are natural situations that will not be very stressful and tiring for your child. Most of the kids can be bored easily so it is very important to show your child that it does not have to be boring or hard, but it can be even fun and enjoyable. It is very important because only regular and frequent training system will bring the desired effects. 

Good results can also bring walking barefoot on soft ground like: grass, sand, thick and fluffy rug. The good exercise is marching on small pebbles or shell fish. If your child can ride on a bike it is good to set the saddle a little bit too high then reaching his fingertips to the foot pedals will force the muscles to work harder.

Summary:

I hope that after reading this note every parent will check their children's feet and they will be sure that the feet are healthy, properly developed and they will carry their kids for many, many years! 

Autor: Aleksandra
Studentka Wyższej Szkoły im. Pawła Włodkowica w Płocku na kierunku: Edukacja Wczesnoszkolna i Wychowanie Przedszkolne. Absolwentka Oxford Cherwell College w Wielkiej Brytanii oraz policealnej szkoły medycznej na kierunku Ratownik Medyczny