Abstract
BACKGROUND: Flatfoot is common among children. Symptomatic flexible flatfoot is one of the various types which needs treatment. Wearing insoles is considered one of the conservative therapies, but its effects are still uncertain. This study aims to provide evidence for the efficacy of insoles treatment among school-aged children with symptomatic flexible flatfoot. METHODS: Patient who were Children who were diagnosed with symptomatic flexible flatfoot and received insoles treatment in authors' institute were retrospectively included. Their ages, body mass index, pain positions, pain frequency, valgus angle, arch index and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were collected before and after insole treatment. RESULTS: A total of 32 children were included in this study. The results showed that wearing insoles for 2 years caused a significant improvement in pain frequency, valgus angle, arch index and VAS score. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that pediatric symptomatic flexible flatfoot could be relieved by wearing insoles for 2 years. Insole treatment might be a workable option for pediatric symptomatic flexible flatfoot in children older than 6 years old.