title: Effect of Custom-Molded Foot Orthoses on Foot Pain and Balance in Children With Symptomatic Flexible Flat Feet.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of custom-molded foot orthoses on foot pain and balance in children with symptomatic flexible flat foot 1 month and 3 months after fitting foot orthosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 24 children over 6 years old with flexible flat feet and foot pain for at least 6 months were recruited for this study. Their resting calcaneal stance position and calcaneal pitch angle were measured. Individual custom-molded rigid foot orthoses were prescribed using inverted orthotic technique to control foot overpronation. Pain questionnaire was used to obtain pain sites, degree, and frequency. Balancing ability was determined using computerized posturography. These evaluations were performed prior to custom-molded foot orthoses, 1 month, and 3 months after fitting foot orthoses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 24 children with symptomatic flexible flat feet recruited for this study, 20 completed the study. Significant (p<0.001) improvements in pain degree and frequency were noted after 1 and 3 months of custom-molded foot orthoses. In addition, significant (p<0.05) improvement in balancing ability was found after 3 months of custom-molded foot orthoses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term use of custom-molded foot orthoses significantly improved foot pain and balancing ability in children with symptomatic flexible flat foot.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Hong-Jae
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Kil-Byung
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: JeeHyun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Ju
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Rehabilitation, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Tae-Ho
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Jeong
keywords: Flatfoot; Foot orthoses; Musculoskeletal pain; Pediatrics; Postural balance