Not all children are quick to express their foot pains or discomforts, so it is a good idea to look for signs such as tripping, limping, taking shoes off frequently, or uneven wear of shoes. If you believe that your child is experiencing discomfort or pain it is best to make an appointment with your podiatrist.
Below are some of the more common foot problems seen in pediatrics:
Flat Feet:
Flat feet is a condition in which the arch of the foot has partially or completely collapsed. Pediatric flatfoot may be apparent at birth or develop many years later. Some children with this deformity exhibit no symptoms at all, whereas some can display one or more of the following symptoms:
- Pain, tenderness or cramping in the foot leg and/or knee
- Outward tilting of the heel
- Awkwardness or changes in walking
- Difficulty with shoes
- Reduced energy when participating in physical activities
- Voluntary withdrawal from physical activities
To diagnose this condition, your child’s podiatrist will do a thorough evaluation of the child’s feet and legs. X-rays may also be taken to determine the severity of the deformity.
Pigeon toed/toeing in:
Toeing in occurs when one or both feet/legs/thighs/hips are rotated inward. Excessive tripping can be an indicator of toeing in. To fight this condition at home the parent can have the child stand in ballet’s first position (with heels touching and toes pointing outward) as well as having the child sit crisscrossed. It is a good idea not to let your child sit on their lower legs which puts their feet in a V-position. One should not assume that a child will just grow out of any foot condition, so a visit to a podiatrist for further evaluation and a treatment plan.
Sever’s Disease:
If your child is experiencing heel pain it could be calcaneal apophysitis or Sever’s Disease. In growing athletic children it is the most common cause of heel pain. Sever’s disease is caused by repetitive trauma to growth plates in the calcaneus or heel bone from overuse. It occurs more commonly in children who over-pronate and overweight children and generally affects both heels although it is not uncommon to see it in just one heel.
Treatments can include, elevating the heel, stretches, R.I.C.E. therapy (see sports injuries), foot orthotics, medication and physical therapy. The condition is not long term and most patients recover with rest or when the bone stops growing.
Remember, always have your child wearing supportive shoes, never let them run barefoot on hard surfaces, and stretches can help prevent Sever’s Disease.
Toe Walking:
It is common for young children to walk on their toes occasionally, but persistent toe walking is not normal. It is best to see your doctor or podiatrist early about this condition in order to begin a treatment plan appropriate for your child’s diagnosis.
Warts are common in children especially between the ages of 12 and 16, a plantar wart is a wart that develops on the bottom (or planar surface) of the feet. It is a viral infection caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Type 1; it is therefore contagious and spreads easily through small scratches on the skin. Plantar warts are identified by a lesion or many lesions that have a tiny spot pinpoint dark spot in the center. To properly diagnose and treat plantar warts, which tend to be stubborn, it is best to make an appointment with a podiatrist.
Ingrown toenails are frequently seen in children; the most common causes are trimming the nail too short, a nail that is naturally too wide and improperly fitting shoes. Do not try to fix an ingrown nail on your own, it’s best to let a professional carefully remove the ingrown portion of the nail.
For more tips on Children’s feet, visit the reading room page “Little feet, Lots to Know”
