Growing up doesn't need to be a pain.

✔Growing Pains

✔In-toeing & Bunions

✔Sports Injuries

EXPERIENCED TREATMENT FOR YOUR CHILD'S FOOT PROBLEMS

✔Flat foot deformity

✔Knock Knees

✔Tripping & Falling

ABOUT CHILDREN'S FEET

Children’s feet are soft and pliable making them prone to damage from abnormal pressure, such as shoes which are too small.

 

Children usually begin to walk any time between 10 and 24 months of age. Each child is unique and will move through the developmental stages at their own pace. Each child follows a developmental sequence from lying to sitting, crawling, standing, cruising, walking to running,

jumping and hopping. When your child first begins to walk, shoes are not necessary indoors. Allowing babies to go barefoot or to wear just socks help  the foot to grow normally and promotes the grasping action of toes. Sometimes children walk with their feet pointed inward (in-toeing) or outward (out-toeing), other children walk on their toes (toe-walking). In most cases, these variations in walking are normal. Most children will have grown out of these walking styles by the age of two. However, if these patterns persist, or you have concerns, you should take your child to a podiatrist.

 

An estimated 10-20% of children have flat feet. Flat feet in children are not necessarily a problem. However if they are causing pain, affecting

mobility or interfering with activities they should be investigated. Should the child also be experiencing what is described as “growing pains”, a podiatry assessment may be warranted.

 

Heel Pain

 

Heel pain can also occur in growing children, usually between the ages of 8 and 13, as they increase their participation in sporting activities. Heel pain that limits activity or is present all the time should be checked by a podiatrist. The podiatrist will be able to determine whether or not the heel pain is related to the developmental process and give advice about ways to alleviate symptoms.

 

Skin and Nails

 

Problems with the skin or nails on your child’s feet may occur from time to time. Some conditions (in-grown toenails, athlete’s foot and warts) require treatment from a podiatrist, while others may be helped by changes in hygiene or shoes.

 

Warts

 

Children, especially teenagers, tend to be more susceptible to warts than adults. Plantar warts that appear on the sole of the foot tend to be hard and flat, with a rough surface and well-defined boundaries. They can grow into clusters and become painful if left unchecked.