Does your child wear custom orthotics?

[frannn]

DD4's physical therapist recommended we take her to an orthopedist, since she's flat-footed. The orthopedist said she needs orthotics, which cost 375, and are not covered by our insurance (GHI). He also suggested we take the insurance for 45/year, as they will replace the orthotic for a nominal fee if her foot grows within the year, or if anything happens to them. Are these things really necessary, do they work, and would you purchase the insurance? We are a month away for our WDW trip and DD18's first year of college, so I am watching the bills roll in!

 

[nuzmom]

Both of my boys are flat footed. Our pediatrician said that as long as their feet don't bother them, we don't do anything. I also found some info on the web that stated the same, that made me feel a little better.

Maybe you could ask your pediatrician or family doctor for a second opinion.

 

[mickeylove2]

Both of my girls are flatfooted and their pediatrician says just to get them good shoe with a great arch support, I end up spending about $50 a piece on shoes from Nike but she's never had me take them to a physical therapist, let alone an orthopeidest, I think I would get a second opinion, $375 is a lot to spend when your child's foot is going to continually grow.

 

[Crazoo]

I am flat footed... and I never had any problems growing up until I got one pair of shoes that had too big of an arch in them... after that I need orthotics for a few years, but then I eventually grew out of them I guess and now I don't need them any more.

 

[gumbys7227]

Well, I guess we're in the minority here. Over a year ago DD 7 kept complaining that her ankles were hurting her. We went to the Pediatrician and he said that she should see a podiatrist who got x-rays and decided she needed custom orthotics. After a few months in the orthotics her ankles stopped hurting her.

Her feet are VERY flat!! They had a hard time making her molds for the orthotics because the man couldn't get very much arch out of her foot even without any weight on it. Later a diff. pediatrician said she didn't think they were necessary unless DD had trouble walking or something like that. I told her DD had trouble pedaling a bike, and tripped a lot! I've always bought her nice shoes with arch support, but this is what really helped. If you do go for it please know that they will hurt at first, DD hated them, but now doesn't go anywhere without them unless she's wearing sandals. Be sure to buy new shoes after you get them, because it's sometimes hard to fit them in shoes. It's been over a year, and she's on the same pair of orthotics with no problems, so I wouldn't recommend the ins. unless she grows quick or is very destructive.

Unless DD is having pain or problems walking or playing I would probably just wait it out. Good luck.

 

[5 at disney]

My son has been in orthodics for 8 years and they have never broken and he has never grown out of them in 1 year. So the ins. seems like a waste to me, it they are made correctly they should give your child some growing room anyway. Son is very flat-footed and asks to have them put on. They really help him walk correctly. Sometime kids can compensate using incorrect methods to walk and can eventually cause damage to hips/ankles or other bones. I would get a second opinion. My son's are covered by ins due to low muscle tone in his ankles,so I would ask further about ins coverage.

 

[spima3]

DD4's physical therapist recommended we take her to an orthopedist, since she's flat-footed. The orthopedist said she needs orthotics, which cost 375, and are not covered by our insurance (GHI). He also suggested we take the insurance for 45/year, as they will replace the orthotic for a nominal fee if her foot grows within the year, or if anything happens to them. Are these things really necessary, do they work, and would you purchase the insurance? We are a month away for our WDW trip and DD18's first year of college, so I am watching the bills roll in!

Our son wears orthotics as well. He was also around 4 when the Ped determined that is was more than flat feet; he has severe pronation. Basically, his arches collapse and he ends up walking on the inside of his ankles. Good shoes, etc. will NOT do the job if your daughter has problems other than just flat feet. Yes, the orthotics are expensive, but they will need them to walk. The podiatrist told me our son has one of the worst cases of pronation in a child he as ever seen. His feet actually looked deformed. Even w/ orthotics, he is always in pain, only differs by degrees. The operation for correcting it is truly a last ditch effort as it is very debilitating, not always successful, and can lead to further problems. I honestly believe that is why so many health insurance programs don't cover othotics; foot problems seem more a case of dealing w/ symptoms rather than fixing the problems.

We have struggled with this problem for years, and I hope your daughter's problem can be fixed just with the orthotics. We never replaced them more than once a year, and often got a year and a half out of them. If multiple parties are suggesting she get them, then she does need them. You just have to budget for the expense if it isn't covered.

lori

 

[spima3]

A question for those w/ kids who wear orthotics. Who have your children been to for their foot problems and who does the orthotics.

I ask because we go to a podiatrist that was recommended by our pediatrician. His qualitfy of life has steadily decreased. He has had to quit all sports, can't walk for very long, even standing is painful.

I am at a loss as to what can be done, and wonder who other parents have taken their child to for their problems? thx.

lori

 

[kcminnie]

My son was also flat footed. He was also what I called bow legged. I asked his Dr. several times about it & they said he would grow out of it. When he was 1 year old he wore special shoes. By the time he was in 5th grade he had severe pain in his feet and was having trouble walking. Basically his ankle bone was rubbing on the foot bone. His foot also grew incorrectly because of this. He was walking on the inside of his feet. We ended up with surgery on both feet & legs. After the surgeon told me to have him wear an over the counter arch support in all his shoes. His now a senior in high school & has never had any other problems. Except last year when we were flying to Disney in Aug & he wears gel inserts. TSA banned them the week before. He couldn't wear them down to FL. We had to pack them in the suitcase. I wish I had seen this Dr. when he was younger & started the inserts then. He told me he felt the over the counter inserts were just as good as the $1000 one.

 

[kcminnie]

My son sees an orthopedic doctor. He only treats children.

 

[WDWMagicGirlie]

My daughter has low tone and has been wearing orthotics since January. She still fits in her current ones, but they are getting smaller. Fortunately, she is in First Steps and they covered the cost ($1500) this time, but after she turns 3, we need to submit the cost to our insurance--and our insurance is not the greatest.

According to the doctor, she COULD go without them, but in the long run, she will end up having knee problems at a young age. We are going to have her where them for the first couple of years (she is 2 now) and then how she does when she starts playing sports, etc. I would definitely go for the 45/year. That sounds like a really reasonable price, especially if they will replace them for a small fee.

Good Luck!

 

[DisneyMomJen]

Two of my DD's have orthodics, each for different reasons. They were about $400 a pair. At first our insurance company was not going to cover them but did after the doctors office called again. I never purchased the additional insurance to have them replaced. I meant to but just never got around to it. Both DD's have had them for about a year and they still seem to be fine so far. We went to an Orthopedic who said that hopefully if they keep wearing the orthodics that they will outgrow their conditions.
DD11 was a great Irish Dancer and hurt her foot. After 2 months of it still bothering her we went to the Orthpedic. We found out that she has an 'extra bone' in her feet. If it didn't get better in a few months the Dr wanted to do surgery. We waited and her foot is finally at the point where the slight swelling has gone down. Needless to say, she will never be able to do Irish Dancing again. I found out that DH's sister has the exact same condition.
Whatever DD9 has is the exact same condition as DMIL. Their feet and legs look exactly the same. DMIL really suffers. I have since said that I should have checked DH's family feet history before I married him!
I think I would try the Orthotics once and definitely try to get your insurance company to pay. I know I had issues with paying for them when I thought they were not being covered by insurance and I had two pairs to pay for at one time! I am just going to try to make these last as long as possible. Good Luck!

 

[hogue_97]

My son has spina bifida and he goes through two pairs of orthotics per year. He's only four, though, and kids feet do grow fast at this age. Our insurance covers 80% through major medical and the balance is picked up by the medical card, which he is eligible due to the spina bifida.

He grows out of the orthotics and they do just start to wear (the foam gets worn, the velcro tears, etc.)

Mary

 

[Heather1101]

My DS has really flat feet and his ankles turn inward. He was having pains in his ankles and on the inside middle of his foot. We are military and we got a referral to the Podiatrist. We had to go through a company called Burns to get DS's orthotics b/c the military only covers them for active duty soldiers. They were custom orthotics with heel balance, and they cost $125. DS plays soccer and is running his laps without pain and does great. Last year before he had the orthotic inserts, he couldn't hardly run at all without his ankles and feet hurting. They have made such a difference.

 

[5 at disney]

A question for those w/ kids who wear orthotics. Who have your children been to for their foot problems and who does the orthotics.

Spima3-My son was seeing a physical therapist for low muscle tone. The PT noticed his pronation of his feet and cast him the same day for orthodics. He goes to a pediatric clinic that deal with children all the time. I would definatly look into your son's condition further.

 

[marcyinPA]

My DS12 has extremely flat feet....I mean EXTREME. His feet turn in, and his ankles protrude. He's been to a podiatrist since the age of 7, and has worn custom orthotics since. We just got a new pair this week, as a matter of fact. You need to replace them every 2 shoe sizes, and at his age, his feet are growing like crazy.

Our insurance doesn't cover them either. The podiatrist office charges $325, but they offered us a break and only charged us $250. They were VERY VERY nice about it, and even let me pay half upon ordering and half at pick up.

They help my son and his gait tremendously. I wouldn't go without them for him.

Our podiatrist did suggest that we have a consult with an orthopedic surgeon to discuss surgery to correct his feet. It is apparantly a very tough recovery, but I know a 13 year old who had it done, and his feet look amazing. I need to make that appointment soon. There is a small window of opportunity to have it done...they prefer the teen years.

Marcy

 

[marcyinPA]

Our son wears orthotics as well. He was also around 4 when the Ped determined that is was more than flat feet; he has severe pronation. Basically, his arches collapse and he ends up walking on the inside of his ankles. Good shoes, etc. will NOT do the job if your daughter has problems other than just flat feet. Yes, the orthotics are expensive, but they will need them to walk. The podiatrist told me our son has one of the worst cases of pronation in a child he as ever seen. His feet actually looked deformed. Even w/ orthotics, he is always in pain, only differs by degrees. The operation for correcting it is truly a last ditch effort as it is very debilitating, not always successful, and can lead to further problems. I honestly believe that is why so many health insurance programs don't cover othotics; foot problems seem more a case of dealing w/ symptoms rather than fixing the problems.

We have struggled with this problem for years, and I hope your daughter's problem can be fixed just with the orthotics. We never replaced them more than once a year, and often got a year and a half out of them. If multiple parties are suggesting she get them, then she does need them. You just have to budget for the expense if it isn't covered.

lori

Your DS sounds like my DS. His feet are awful. He also has hammer toes due to the severe pronation. As he's gotten older, it's gotten worse. His podiatrist said it may get even worse (he's 12 now) as he grows.

I know someone who's son had the surgery in Philly (I believe they went to CHOP) and his was a success. HOWEVER, the rehabilitation and recovery time was intense. He had to be home-bound schooled for a while because he couldn't leave home (meds+immobility).

Our Podiatrist wants us to make an appt. with a surgeon for a consult, which I will do, but I'm not convinced that surgery is the route for my son.

Here is a picture of him and you can see his feet....

Marcy

 

[spima3]

Your DS sounds like my DS. His feet are awful. Here is a picture of him and you can see his feet....

Marcy

Marcy,

I have been out of town w/ the kids so didn't see your post. I pm'd you, hope you don't mind.

It is a terribly frustrating problem isn't it?

lori

 

[kcminnie]

I know someone who's son had the surgery in Philly (I believe they went to CHOP) and his was a success. HOWEVER, the rehabilitation and recovery time was intense. He had to be home-bound schooled for a while because he couldn't leave home (meds+immobility).

My son had surgery on both his feet. We did the surgery the week before his scheduled school vacation. He went backafter the vacation in a wheelchair. He did not need any pain meds by them. I worked with our school nurse & his teacher and he was fine in school. His surgery was in Feb. and by June he was walking fine again. We did have to go to PT 3x per week to learn to walk again.

 

[spima3]

My son had surgery on both his feet. We did the surgery the week before his scheduled school vacation. He went backafter the vacation in a wheelchair. He did not need any pain meds by them. I worked with our school nurse & his teacher and he was fine in school. His surgery was in Feb. and by June he was walking fine again. We did have to go to PT 3x per week to learn to walk again.

This sounds somewhat extensive but not as bad as some I have read. IF it worked this well for our son, I would definitely consider it.

We were at the pediatrician this morning and he was telling my son he needs to be more active as his weight is going up. When it is painful to even walk for any length of time, just how much activity are you going to get? I was a bit annoyed w/ his statement.


IF MarcyinPA is reading this, I pm'd you a while back. Don't know if you got it or not.


lori