Our 4 year old DD has been walking on her tip toes since she began walking. She has always been slightly behind on her gross motor skills (needed early intervention around 10 months due to not crawling and then later EI's goal was to get her to walk). She walked late - at 17 months. Every annual visit I've mentioned DD's out-toeing and tip toe walking, and gross motor deficiencies (not enough to qualify for early intervention but they are there) and have been told to just encourage her to be more active. Finally at DD's 4 year check-up the pediatrician thought it was a good idea to send her to a physical therapist, who diagnosed her with collapsed arches. She wants her to get fitted for custom orthotics - the one that go up to the ankle - to correct her out-toeing. DH has read some studies that showed orthotics were not recommended at this age since it's hard to tell if they'll grow out of their flat feet and it can cause psychological problems (due to the discomfort I guess?). DH wants to continue PT but hold off on orthotics. My brother has a similar problem that went completely untreated. He says it's painful to walk and as a result, is fairly sedentary and is overweight. I'm so worried we're making the wrong decision but at the same time I don't want to cause DD any psych issues for something that may not even help. She is already extremely sensitive to pain - real and perceive; she has a very cautious personality by nature.
If anyone has any experience with this, I'd be so grateful to hear it.
If anyone has any experience with this, I'd be so grateful to hear it.
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