Children's Foot Care

Common foot disorders:

Sever’s disease (heel pain)

• inflammation of the growth plate in the heel
• most common in active children
• You may notice your child limping
• your child might complain of heel pain during or after sporting activities
• book an appointment with your podiatrist to discuss the best management options

Flat feet

• normal part of development in young children
• can be responsible for foot and leg pain
• you may notice abnormal shoe wear
• can be corrected with the use of orthoses, exercises and footwear education
• book an appointment with a podiatrist if you’re concerned about your child’s foot posture

Warts

• skin lesions caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV)
• commonly contracted when walking around barefoot in public moist environments such as swimming pools, change rooms and showers
• can cause pain and discomfort and may alter standing foot position and walking. This can progress to further foot and symptoms if left untreated.
• they can spread to other sites on the foot
• contagious – can spread to other family members
• your podiatrist can manage the wart lesion as well as discuss home treatments and preventative measures to avoid re-infection and spread

Intoeing

• often referred to as “pigeon toed”
• feet turn inward when walking
• can cause children to trip/fall often
• common in childhood and is usually outgrown
• can be caused by multiple factors such as:
  - abnormal foot posture – metatarsus adductus
  - internal tibial torsion – lower leg turns inward
  - internal femoral torsion – thigh bone turns inwards
• a podiatrist will assess and provide the most appropriate management for your child’s condition

Toe walking

• walking on toes or ball of foot
• minimal or no heel contact with the floor
• can cause coordination and balance issues
• can increase occurrence of trips and falls
• a podiatrist will assess and provide the most appropriate management for your child’s condition