Children's Feet

Good footwear is essential when feet are growing and they must be checked regularly for fit. I often find the shoes are too short, and this can lead to the formation of hammer toes, blisters and other foot problems. Check this regularly especially when your child is going through a growth spurt.

Children should always be checked by a podiatrist if there are signs of;

• Uneven heel wear or deformity of the upper of the shoe.
• Recurrent pain in the feet or legs.
• Awkward gait, including excessive intoeing or out toeing, and tripping.
• Any unusual skin lesions - these may be warts and are common in children and can become painful especially if on the sole of the feet.

Children’s joints are generally more flexible than adults and walking and running can cause muscle overload. This can be the cause of ‘growing pains’, which often affect the calf muscles. Massage and heat can alleviate symptoms. Also a simple inexpensive triplane wedge in the shoe has been shown to reduce symptoms. In some cases orthotic therapy is indicated.

Two other common conditions occur due to disruption of the growth plate.

1. Heel pain, sever's disease or calcaneal apophysitis. This affects children between 8 to 14 years and occurs because the heel bone has not yet ossified. It often occurs in children playing football, at the beginning of the football season when the ground is hard and unyielding. Simple padding and stretching can alleviate this condition. Sometimes orthoses are also prescribed.
2. Knee pain or Osgood Schlatter’s. Similar to Sever’s disease but occurring just below the knee. Again orthotics, rest and stretching can alleviate symptoms.