Flat feet in children frequently occurs and the majority of of the time it's not a concern, so this results in a substantial amount of disagreement regarding if this is a normal deviation of no consequence or is the start of a condition that should be addressed. We have witnessed a number of debates on this on the internet and at conferences, however with no serious consensus. You can find passionately held opinions on both sides of the controversy on childrens flat feet. An episode of the podiatry chat show, PodChatLive was about commenting on this subject. PodChatLive is a regular live with 2 hosts who talk about an alternative subject every month with a different invitee or group of guests that's broadcast live on Facebook and then the edited edition is put into YouTube along with the audio version is made obtainable as a podcast. They have quite a significant following within podiatry and people interested in the topics that they talk about.

In the final edition on childrens flat feet the hosts talked to researcher, teacher and private podiatrist Helen Banwell regarding the disagreement and problems concerning the symptomatic Vs asymptomatic flatfoot in children and also discussed her thoughts when you should treat as opposed to when not to. They talked about the importance of asking about family history in making that determination. They also discussed traditional compared to surgical management and the way to deal with concerned and anxious mothers and fathers when advising to treat or not manage. Furthermore they talked about the foot orthoses prescribing routines for the young individual with flat foot. Helen Banwell is a teacher in podiatry as well as an Academic Integrity Officer for the School of Health Sciences, and also Associate Director for the international Centre of Allied Health Evidence (iCAHE) with the University of Adelaide in South Australia. Helen is a starting member of Making Strides which is a internet based collaboration for those working in foot and lower leg development analysis. Helen has been a teacher of podiatry at UniSA since 1999, teaching paediatric theory and practical in addition to launching 2nd year podiatry students into their teaching clinics.