Where this summary comes from
Zangi M, Taheri M, Ahmadi O, Khalili Dehkordi F, Maleki A, Khosravi M. Biomechanical effects of foot orthoses in children with flexible flat foot; a systematic review. Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering, 2026. PMID 41883837.
The paper itself — doi.org/10.1177/20556683261429364
Study design: Systematic review · 22 studies · 844 children · mean age 8.9
What the paper asked
What do foot orthoses do to walking mechanics in children with flexible flat foot — and for whom do they do more?
What was found
- Midfoot plantar pressure fell by up to 48.5 kPa, step length grew by about 5 cm, and balance and radiographic indices improved.
- Who gains most: navicular height under 1 cm, arch index above 0.26, and pain above 3 out of 10. The flatter and the more painful the foot, the better the response.
What does not follow from it
- This review is about children. In adults, combining exercise with orthoses has not shown a significant effect on realignment of the foot itself.
- The authors say prescription should be individual and guided by objective measurement, not the same for every flat foot.
What it means for someone here
This is the sentence that stands behind a custom insole: an orthosis is not prescribed for "flat feet", it is prescribed for this foot with these numbers. The paper even names the numbers — navicular height, arch index and pain — all three of which are measured in this clinic's assessment.
Related findings
This page summarises one study. It is not treatment advice, and no programme is written for a person from a single paper.