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.
 Flat-footed children who do not wear the special shoes are as likely to develop natural arches as are flat-footed children who wear the special shoes most calls into question the efficacy of the traditional treatment described above.