All the injuries associated with adults – especially sports injuries can be found in children.

The foot is not fully formed until about age 16 or 17 years and so must be treated with care to prevent damage causing longer term effects or interfering with normal development.

As soon as the child’s foot starts to take weight it is influenced by the biomechanics and loading that they put through the lower limb in walking and running activities.

It is important to look at the young foot in relation to the amount of activity the child undertakes when it comes to pain or injuries.

A Podiatry assessment takes in to account normal developmental milestones (growth in the foot and leg) and can be useful in managing foot pronation that may be a factor in any injury or pain. Often a video analysis and Podiatry assessment can reassure parents that nothing is wrong with their child’s foot and foot function and that the normal growth will resolve any issues.

Common foot problems in children
‘Flat feet’ – with or without hyper-mobility syndrome
Heel pain – at the back o the heel – Severs disease
Knee pain – Not foot specific but associated with poor foot mechanics and growth spurts.
Ingrown toenails

It is important to note that ‘flat feet’ is not a diagnosis and is considered to be normal in most cases. Only when the child has pain is it usually ever “treated” – and this may be only for a short period of time while the usual growth / development can resolve any pain or injury.