Is it appropriate for children to be tested with a 3D foot scanner during their toddler period?

Every parent is looking forward to their child taking the first step in life, but have you ever noticed that when the baby is learning to walk, is the sole of the foot touching the ground particularly large? Is it easy to turn inward and turn the sole outward when walking?

Many parents began to worry: "Does my child have flat feet?" "Should I go to the hospital for a check-up?" So someone suggested: Go for a 3D scan of the sole of the foot.

Then the question is - is it suitable for children to do a 3D scan of the sole of the foot during their toddler period?

Today, we will explain it to you in a professional and popular way!

1. What is a 3D plantar scanner?

A 3D plantar scanner is a high-tech device that uses optical imaging technology to accurately collect plantar morphological data. It can build a 3D model of a child's foot in seconds, clearly showing key information such as arch height, foot structure, toe arrangement, foot length, and foot width.

This type of instrument is widely used in hospitals and rehabilitation institutions when evaluating adult feet, customizing corrective insoles, and analyzing gait.

2. Can it be used for testing during the baby's toddler period?

The answer is: it can be used, but the data needs to be interpreted scientifically, and you must avoid being "overly nervous"!

✔ Suitable situations for testing:

When the baby just starts walking, parents find that the walking posture is abnormal, such as frequent falls, severe foot eversion, and dragging on the ground when walking.

There is a history of hereditary flat feet or foot deformities in the family, and you want to do early screening.

I hope to have a systematic record and observation basis for the child's foot structure.

At this time, using a three-dimensional foot scanner, you can quickly obtain detailed data without touching or disturbing the baby, helping doctors to determine whether it is "physiological flat feet" or potential foot problems.

❌ But please note:

The toddler period (generally 1-3 years old) is the golden period for foot development. At this time, it is a very normal phenomenon that the arch of the foot is not developed and the sole of the foot is in contact with the ground. It is medically called "developmental flat feet" or "physiological flat feet".

Therefore, the scanner detecting "low arch" and "mid-foot landing" does not mean that there is a disease! The key is to have a professional doctor interpret the results and evaluate them together with gait, muscle strength, and body shape.

3. How should parents treat the test results scientifically?

3D scanning is a reference, not a diagnosis

The data cannot be one-size-fits-all. The key is whether the child has symptoms, such as abnormal walking, leg pain, etc.

Dynamic changes are more important

It takes time for the baby's arch to develop. It is recommended to check every 6 months or 1 year to observe the development trend.

Early detection ≠ early intervention

If there is no functional abnormality, there is no need to intervene in a hurry. Suitable shoes, barefoot training, and foot muscle training are more important.