Children’s Podiatry Treatment

Common treatments performed by children’s podiatrists

Our Podiatrists make sure that the children who come in to see us are comfortable while we’re treating them. The consults take a very personal and playful approach which means we get the opportunity to look properly at the feet and gait – whether that be how they are moving or the condition of the skin and nails.

The treatments we commonly provide for children can be grouped into three categories:

1. Treating nail and skin problems – these are managed over a series of 3 – 5 treatments unless a more significant intervention is required, such as surgery.
2. Managing soft tissue issues – this usually involves just one or two treatments, plus the addition of a strength programme, changes to footwear, and/or foot supports such as insoles or heel raises.
3. Reviewing foot, lower leg and gait – if a child isn’t reporting pain but a parent is concerned that something might be abnormal, we offer a one-off assessment with a follow-up every 6 – 12 months. This allows us to track and monitor changes as the child grows and ensure they are within the normal range for their age.

When should I take my child to a podiatrist?

As with your own feet, if you have any concerns about the health or functioning of your childrens’, it’s easy to get those checked out by one of our team.

By the age of around 18 years, most of the bone structures have developed. In the years preceding that, these are are some of the most common foot problems that we see in children:

Growing Pains

As children grow and develop, they are likely to report generalised aches and pains to their parents, and this includes the feet.

Often this is completely normal but sometimes it can indicate an underlying problem.

In children aged between 8 to 14 years, especially those who are active, we sometimes find and diagnose Sever’s disease (Calcaneal Apotheosis). In this condition, the cartilage of the growth plate in the heel becomes swollen and irritated. Children will often report heel pain. It’s treated with stretching and strengthening and by modifying any activities that contributed to its cause. Within three to six weeks, children can normally return to pain-free activity again.

Flat Feet

When children are very young it is normal for their feet to be flat as they’ve not yet developed bones, muscles or the structures required to develop an arch. As time goes on, people develop those differently, sometimes ending up with flat feet which we talk about more below.

Sports Injuries

Through sport or play, children’s feet, ankles or lower limbs can be injured. Stubbed toes, rolled ankles or blisters can occur. 

Warts

Warts usually develop from shared, public facilities such as swimming pools. Over the counter and other treatments can often fail whereas Podiatrists can treat warts very effectively.

Ingrown toenails

Teenagers can present with ingrown toenails when they have growth spurts and their shoes become tight or when they have taken over the responsibility for cutting their own nails.

In-toeing, out toeing, toe walkers

Issues with gait that are caused by the foot’s position when walking can affect the knees and hips. Although opposite conditions, in-toeing and out-toeing are often treated with similar methods:

• Addressing postural issues
• Children’s orthotics
• Stretching and strengthening

General questions or concerns

Sometimes parents have general concerns or worries about how a child walks or how their feet look. In these cases we’re often asked to provide an assessment of their child’s feet. We can then offer guidance, treatment, intervention techniques and/or ongoing monitoring. This puts parents’ minds at ease, knowing there’s nothing abnormal with their child’s feet.

We can help answer your paediatric podiatry questions

It’s natural to worry about your kids, and that includes their overall development and feet. Our team is here to talk you through the assessment, findings and any treatments that are needed to make sure your children can move and play with ease.

Can flat feet be corrected in children?

Long term, flat feet may be a problem if there is continued pain; but not everyone will go on to develop problems. In younger children, we encourage the use of good quality shoes and for them to go barefoot as much as possible (and when it is safe to do so). This strengthens the structures of the foot, through direct contact with the ground and promotes the healthy development of bones and muscles. Cushioned and very soft shoes on the other hand mean that the pressure is absorbed by the shoes and not the feet. If worn over a long period this can lead to the structures of the foot being underdeveloped.

How to get rid of blisters, calluses or warts on a child’s foot?

Certain activities or footwear can cause blisters, calluses and  warts (also known as Verrucas). These are easily treated in the Clinic:

• Blisters – any fluid is drained away and a dressing is used to protect the area
• Calluses – excess, dead skin is removed to relieve the pressure and discomfort 
• Warts – these are treated with chemical solutions, liquid nitrogen (freezing), or surgery.

Why do my child’s feet turn in?

In-toeing can be due to issues with the feet themselves, the lower leg bones or the thigh bones. The causes can be genetic, muscular, postural or because of an injury. If the condition is caused by an issue with the hips then it’s usually addressed at a young age with hip bracing.

If in-toeing is affecting how a child runs and walks, we work in conjunction with allied health professionals to understand the underlying cause.

Our children’s Podiatrists ask questions about, and assess, the way a child sleeps and sits and will propose any remedial exercises to assist with treatment.