Most small children are flat-footed. This failure of the foot to assume its natural arch, if it persists past early childhood can sometimes result in discomfort and even pain later in life. Traditionally, flat-footedness in children has been treated by having the children wear special shoes that give extra support to the foot, in order to foster the development of the arch.
 Many small children who have normal feet wear the same special shoes as those worn by flat-footed children most calls into question the efficacy of the traditional treatment described above.