Children's Podiatry
We enjoy helping children, of all ages, stay active, happy and healthy!
Problem little feet
Most babies are born with normal, healthy feet that develop according to the guidelines. However, these growing years are the years where any developmental issues can occur.
Children can experience anything from delayed walking, tip-toe walking, flat feet, knock knees, in-toe walking, ingrown toenails, plantar warts and more. Podiatrists are highly skilled at assessing, treating and managing children’s feet. Podiatrists work alongside other health professionals such as Paediatricians, Physiotherapists and Osteopaths to help manage a child’s foot or leg condition.
Common questions or concerns from parents
Parents are always concerned about their child’s development, especially when it comes to the development of their foot and lower limb. Parents also become concerned about the appearance of their child’s feet and lower limb, movement patterns and behaviour patterns, especially if they are not keeping up with their peers at school.
Children and Flatfeet
Young children tend to have less of a visible arch due to the prominent fatty pads in their feet. However, as they grow, their arch becomes more visible.
Some things a parent should look out for with a school aged child are:
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Are they getting any foot or lower limb pain?
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Do they complain of tired or fatigued feet and legs at the end of a day?
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Do they quickly wear down the insides of their shoes?
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Are they regularly tripping or falling?
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Are they keeping up with their peers at school or at their activities?
If the answer is yes to any of those questions, it is recommended that your child be assessed by one of our Podiatrists.
Common foot and lower limb issues in children’s feet.
Common foot and lower limb issues we see in children include:
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Flatfeet ( feet rolling in)
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In-toeing (pigeon toeing)
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Out-toeing
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Sever’s Heel Syndrome
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Osgood Schlatters Disease
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Walking on tip toe
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Slow to begin walking
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Knock-knees
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Bow legs
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Clumsiness or poor balance
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Regular tripping or falling
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Growing pains
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Limping
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Low muscle tone
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Oddly shaped toes (curly/clawed)
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Ingrown toenails
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Bunions
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Calluses
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Warts
When your child starts to walk
When your child starts to walk, it is an amazing milestone for both yourself and your child! There are some things that you may start to notice which could cause some alarm bells.
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Flat feet – Flat feet in children are common, but not always a problem. Arch development will likely continue and stabilise at the age of 6 or 7 years old. However, if your child is complaining of pain that is affecting the way they walk or play, this is a red flag and they should be seen by a Podiatrist for a full assessment.
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In toe walking or out toe walking – most toddlers who walk with their feet pointed inwards or with their feet pointed outwards will start to walk more straight by the time they turn 2 years old. If this does not correct itself by 2 years old or they are complaining about being in pain, an assessment by a Podiatrist is warranted.
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Toe walking – Children who walk on their toes who can get their heels to the ground usually grow out of this phase. However, it is always good to have an assessment to make sure there are no underlying neurological issues that could have been missed.
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Knocked knees – this is normal up to the age of 7 when the arch develops. In saying this, can be the cause of some pain for your child, if this is the case an assessment is recommended.
The right shoe for my child
Children’s feet are not little adult feet. Baby’s and toddler’s feet are soft and pliable as all the bones have not completely developed yet. This means that their feet can be damaged from shoes that are too tight or that can hinder their development. In saying this, babies and toddlers do not need to be in shoes when indoors. Below are some tips on how to choose the right footwear for your baby or toddler:
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Shoe fit – shoes that are too short or narrow can create high pressure areas on the bones and skin of the feet. This can in turn cause ingrown toenails, callus, corns and more. Furthermore, having shoes that are too long or wide can cause the toes to curl for stability or can cause the child to trip and fall. The length of the shoe should not be more or less than a thumbs length. This should be checked regularly as children grow fast!
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Adjustable fastening (laces, buckle, velcro) – this allows for the foot to be secure in the shoe and also allows for adjustment of the shoe.
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Heel Counter – having a heel counter also secures the foot in the shoe decreasing risk of trips, falls and also deformities of the bones and skin.
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Flexibility at the toes – the shoe should flex just before the toes, as this is where the foot bends to allow for propulsion.
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Lightweight – the heavier the shoe, the more the muscles have to work in the lower limb and foot during daily activities.
Children and Orthotics
Children’s orthotics are also available and can be of great benefit to children’s feet and development. They work by restoring the foots natural arch and improving foot function. This improves alignment, stability and function of the lower leg. Orthotics prescribed at Viewbank Podiatry can help paediatric conditions such as growing pains, Sever’s disease, flat feet and more.
When children are young they are still developing muscles and core strength. If a child’s muscles aren’t strong enough they will fatigue more easily. This is often the case with children who complain of tired legs and growing pains as their muscles simply can’t cope with the increased load from walking or activity.
Children’s Orthotics can help take strain off important lower leg muscles and joints. This can reduce muscle fatigue and improve joint alignment, allowing your child to perform at their absolute best.
At Viewbank Podiatry we have a range of orthotics suitable for all shapes and sizes of growing feet. We are mindful of the cost involved, so our custom orthoses are discounted for children. Where possible, a semi-custom orthotic can be an effective treatment, considering most children’s orthotics will require updating annually.
