Our Services
Paediatrics
Common Concerns and How We Can Help
As podiatrists, we know that keeping up with your little one’s growth and development can be quite the adventure. From first steps to wobbly runs, you might have noticed a few things about your child’s feet or walking patterns that have left you with questions. But don’t worry—you’re not alone!In our clinic, we often see parents concerned about various foot issues in their children, from flat feet or growing pains to funny walking patterns. So, below we’ve curated a general list of some of the most common foot concerns we encounter and how we can help keep your child’s feet happy and healthy!
- Flat Feet
You might have noticed that your child’s feet don’t have a visible typical arch when they stand. Flat feet are quite normal in young children, as their arches are still developing. In most cases, this doesn’t cause any issues and improves with age. However, if your child complains of foot pain, has trouble keeping up with their peers, or you notice an unusual wear pattern on their shoes, it’s worth getting checked out.
How We Help: We can assess your child’s foot structure and gait. If needed, we may recommend supportive footwear or orthotics to help alleviate any discomfort or provide you with exercises/techniques to help support healthy foot development.
- Walking Patterns: In-Toe and Out-Toe
Has your child been walking a bit like a penguin (toes pointing in) or perhaps like a duck (toes pointing out)? These walking patterns, known as in-toeing and out-toeing, are common in young children and often resolve on their own as they grow.
How We Help: If you’re concerned about your child’s walking pattern, we can evaluate their gait and check for any underlying issues. We’ll provide guidance on monitoring their sitting positions, check out their footwear or in some cases we may suggest orthotics.
- Foot Warts
Warts on the feet, known as verrucae, are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They can be a real nuisance, especially if they become painful. Kids often pick these up from walking barefoot in public areas like school swimming pools or locker rooms.
How We Help: We offer various treatment options, including physical debridement and topical treatments to help remove these pesky warts. See our blog on Verruca Pedis to read more about warts.
- Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails can cause significant discomfort, especially if they become infected. They often occur when nails are trimmed too short or when tight footwear puts pressure on the toes.
How We Help: We can gently and safely remove the corner or edge of the ingrown toenails, offering relief from pain and preventing infections. We’ll also teach you and your child the best way to trim their nails and suggest suitable footwear. To learn more about ingrown toe nails and toe nail surgery read our other blogs.
- Growing Pains and Growth Plate Pains
Growing pains and growth plate pains are common complaints among active kids. These aches and pains often occur in the feet and legs, especially during periods of rapid growth.
How We Help: We can evaluate your child’s growth and activity level to ensure these pains are typical growing pains. If needed, we can suggest supportive footwear, orthotics, or specific manual therapy techniques (dry needling/massage) to help alleviate discomfort.
We understand that as parents, you want the best for your children, including their foot health. If you’re ever in doubt or just want some peace of mind, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.