Gait Analysis, Podiatrist Melbourne, Orthotics Melbourne, Sports Podiatrist

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Children’s foot problems

Camberwell Road Podiatry has a special interest in children’s foot problems and has been treating children successfully for over 30 years. We welcome children of all ages into the practice. No child is too young to be seen by a podiatrist.

Children’s foot and walking problems can be of great parental concern. Walking problems are often asymptomatic and are first noticed when the child walks. Their gait may look unusual, awkward, shoes may show signs of uneven wear and they may even trip over a lot.

Children can also suffer from a range of symptomatic problems affecting the foot and lower leg. Children may complain of “growing pains” at night or pain during or after sport.

Treatment

With children it is essential to identify as early as possible, any problems that might need specialist treatment in order to prevent problems later in life. The saddest words we often hear are "I wish I had brought my child for treatment much earlier".

Our podiatrists are experienced with children of all ages. They will perform a thorough history and examination often involving computer gait analysis to identify the source of the problem. Generally most children's foot problems are not of great concern and can be satisfactorily resolved with the right podiatry treatment.

Common children’s foot problems

Common children’s foot problems include:

Flat feet
In-toeing
Out-toeing
Knock knees
Bow legs
Growing pains
Severs disease (heel pain)
Osgood-schlatter disease (knee pain)
Children’s sports injuries

Flat feet

Flat feet or pronated feet are when the arches on the inside of the feet have collapsed and flattened. The ankles may also roll in excessively, particularly when walking.

Flat feet place excess strain on muscles and ligaments, leading to poor lower leg alignment and function. The child may complain of aching or tired feet and legs. Flat feet causes excess pronation and may be the causative factor in foot, ankle, knee, hip and back pain.

There are many different causes of flat feet so thorough assessment by one of our podiatrists is important. Some flat feet can resolve with growth and treatment whilst others will not. Treatment mostly involves custom-made orthoses and outcomes are better if treatment is implemented early.

In-toeing

In-toeing or pigeon-toed is a common lower leg problem which usually becomes more apparent as the child walks. “Ideally” children should walk with both feet pointing straight ahead or slightly turned out. With in-toeing the child will walk with one or both feet turned in and may even trip over. It is particularly common in children aged 4 and under.

If your child walks with their feet turned in get them thoroughly assessed by one of our qualified podiatrists. No age is too young. Accurate and early diagnosis is the key. Most times parent assurance and education is the only treatment needed! Often the saddest words we here are “I wish I had brought my child for treatment much earlier!”

Out-toeing

Out-toeing is a condition where the child walks with one or both feet markedly turned out or abducted. Whilst not as common as in-toeing the child may look clumsy when walking and running. This condition can have a number of different causes so once again diagnosis is the key. Excessive out-toeing can lead to a flat foot, excess pronation and lower leg problems.

Knock knees

Knock knees is a condition where the child’s knees are pointing inwards when looking front on in a standing position. When the knees are placed together the feet are far apart. Whilst common at age 4 if it is excessive, or persists, it can lead to a flat foot, excess pronation and lower leg problems.

Melbourne podiatrist services childrens feet problems

Bow legs

Bow legs is a condition where the child’s legs are bowed outwards in the standing position, so when the ankles are placed together the knees are far apart. This is common in newborns but the legs should “ideally” straighten around age 2. If permanent it can lead to poor foot mechanics which in turn can lead to excess pronation and lower leg problems.

Severs disease (heel pain)

Severs disease deserves special mention as its one of the most common foot problems we see in children at the clinic and it is often misdiagnosed.

The child will complain of pain in one or both heels. Pain is usually worse after activity and the parent may notice the child limping after sport. It is most common during the ages of 8-14.

Severs disease is a growing condition and your child will grow out of it, however they need not to put up with the pain during or after sport. It is easily treated and managed so consultation with one of our podiatrists should be your first priority.

Osgood-schlatter disease (knee pain)

Osgood-schlatter disease is a common cause of knee pain in the young adolescent or athlete, usually aged anywhere between 10 and 18. The patient complains of pain at the front of the knee just below the patella. Pain can be during or after activity and sometimes a tender swelling or bony lump will be noticeable.

Poor lower leg mechanics is often a factor in Osgood-Schlatter disease and custom-made orthoes can be of great help in managing the condition.

Growing pains

Growing pains are a problem for many children and parents. Children may complain of mild pain in the legs at night whilst sleeping or sometimes they awaken screaming in agony.

Episodes are spasmodic and the child may not even complain of any symptoms during the day. Episodes usually coincide with significant growth spurts. Growing pains most commonly occur in the muscles of the calves, thighs and behind the knee. Specific exercises and or custom-made orthoses can be helpful in managing growing pains.

NB. Pain in a child’s legs, especially at night, should be always taken seriously. Other causes can be much more serious like fractures and bony tumours thus it is important that the origin of the pain is properly diagnosed by one of our podiatrists.

Children’s sports injuries

Australian children are very active in sport and just like adults children are prone to getting a number of different sporting related injuries. Some are due to overuse of muscles and others due to poor foot mechanics and lower leg alignment.

Your child shouldn’t have to put up with pain during or after sport. A lot of problems can be easily treated by our podiatrists allowing your child to continue their love of sport – pain free!

For more information visit our sports injuries page.