The problems associated with flail feet in children and their treatment with orthoses.

Children with flail feet who have control of their hips and knees are able to walk but are unable to stand still and find it difficult to walk slowly. These problems have been overcome in fifty-three children with flail feet due to myelomeningocele by fitting them with below-knee orthoses which provide maximum stability and yet allow normal walking. The biomechanical principles and the development of the orthoses are discussed.