We love helping kids stay healthy and happy.
Foot pain and problems in kids isn’t just frustrating but can interfere with their growth and development. In the very young years, children learn to navigate the world and begin to develop strength, balance and coordinated movement. As they grow, they hone these skills and movements and begin to participate in team sports and activities. As both parents and practitioners, keeping kids free of pain, developing well, and able to do the things they love is very important to us and we provide the same treatments and level of excellence in caring for your kids as we do in caring for ours.
Whether your child has had a condition since birth or has recently developed a problem with their feet and legs, we’re well equipped and qualified to help. Our thorough assessments are very child-friendly and are usually received with a big smile. We not only work to identify, diagnose and treat lower-limb problems in children, but also keep you fully informed about everything that’s going on with your kids, why it’s happening, what to look out for, and what you can be doing at home to help with treatment.
We have a proactive approach to kids foot care and have seen early intervention help to prevent many foot problems as children grow. We consult with many parents who want to check that their kids are on the right track when it comes to their kids foot and leg development and growth. We recommend bringing your kids in if you notice any of the following:
- Regular tripping or falling
- Clumsiness or uncoordinated movement
- Not being able to keep up with kids in their class
- Unwillingness to participate in physical activities (could be masking pain)
- Complaints of pain or discomfort in the feet or legs
Conditions that we regularly see and treat include:
Flat Feet in Kids
Often called Pes Planus, this describes a low arch profile or no arch height at all, with or without pain. We evaluate the knee & hip position, joint hypermobility, footwear and the characteristics and function of the feet and legs to determine the best treatment solution. This may involve a combination of orthotics, foot strengthening exercises and foot health education. It’s important to note that not all kids with flat feet will require orthotics or certain treatments, so make sure to check with your podiatrist first.
Kids Heel Pain
Heel pain is usually characterised by limping, and your child will usually let you know about it! The cause could be trauma/injury, or because of the growth plate within the heel bone itself. Heel pain tends to worsen with physical activity and temporarily relieved by resting and ice. Heel pain is often referred to as ‘growing pains’, though we work to effectively manage and treat heel pain in kids so they get back to being their happy and healthy selves!
Toe Walking
Some toddlers or children may walk on their tiptoes rather than placing their heel on the ground, which may look like a bounce when they walk. There could be a bone abnormality in the child’s foot or an underlying neurological issue; most often, it’s due to the shortened achilles tendon which we can effectively treat. We’ll assess the feet and legs, determine the cause of the toe-walking, and implement the best treatment plan for your kids.
In-Toeing and Out-Toeing
In-toeing (pigeon-toeing) is when the feet are pointed inwards instead of straight in the position the kids are walking. Out-toeing is the opposite, where the feet are pointed out toward the sides. These abnormalities can affect one or both feet. As a result, kids may trip and fall when walking or running; stumbling or even limping as a result. This may be due to a structural problem related to the hips or legs, which we identify through our comprehensive and child-friendly assessment. When detected and treated early, we get great results treating these problems.
Ingrown Toenails
Having the nail grow into the surrounding skin is a very painful condition. It can cause your child to limp or refuse to wear their shoes. We quickly remove the offending nail edge to alleviate the pain and allow the toe to heal. It’s important to get ingrown toenails treated effectively before they become infected and risk the development of complications.
Plantar Warts
Warts present as rough, round lumps on the bottom of the foot and are common in childhood. They’re caused by a virus that is fairly easily spread through contact, where there is a break in the skin like a small cut or graze. Depending on the location and size of the wart, it can be painful and frustrating for kids and adults alike. We have a variety of solutions for plantar warts and recommend getting them treated when they appear to stop the spread to other family members.
We treat a variety of kids conditions and pains, including:
- Kids heel pain, e.g. Sever’s Disease
- Knee pain, e.g. Osgood Schlatters Disease
- Growing pains
- Toe pain
- Ingrown toenails
- Shin and calf pains
- In-toeing/out-toeing/toe-walking
- Flat feet & high arches
- Ankle sprains
- Fractures
Treatments may include a combination of:
- Foot orthotics – short or long-term orthotics to support healthy foot function, alleviate pain and help heal injuries
- Bracing – Cam walkers or ankle & knee braces for injury and pain management
- Sports taping – using kinesio taping techniques to add support and stability without restriction
- Footwear modifications – ensuring your child has the right footwear to help and not hinder healthy growth and development
- Stretching & strengthening programmes – tailored exercises to help your child’s foot problems and pain
- Gait retraining – improving the way your child moves through walking, jogging, hopping and stepping drills that encourage neural and muscular improvements
