Kids Foot Problems

foot problems kids

Once you are a parent you start to notice every little thing about your child. You notice their eating habits, methods of communicating, how quickly they are growing and when they are becoming unwell. Parents also often notice when something is not quite right developmentally, even if they cannot put their finger on it.

Common foot problems in children

In a series of blogs dedicated to the most common paediatric foot conditions that present due to concerned parents. These include in-toeing (pigeon toe), out-toeing (cowboy/Charlie Chaplain walk), overlapping toes, tripping, limping, ingrown-toenails, heel pain and growing pains.

The stages of development in kids feet

To start us off, today we will be talking about stages of development of children’s feet and how this can impact on footwear fitting. It is well known that looking after a child’s feet from a young age can be of benefit to their health and well-being for the rest of their lives. The feet provide a foundation for bodily posture, which is why their function can have such diverse impacts on the body.

A child’s foot is significantly different to an adult foot. It is not simply a miniature version. As a baby, the foot is mostly made up of cartilage (soft bone) and the last bone to begin forming usually does not do so until approximately 3 years old. By the time your child is 18 years old, the bones will be mostly formed.

Considering that children’s feet are soft and malleable, it places them at risk of damage due to tight or restrictive footwear. Foot care can begin as early as straight after birth. When choosing a romper or grow suit, always make sure that the child’s foot is not constrained by the material. In other words, their foot needs to have room to freely kick or bounce without putting pressure on the toes. The same goes for socks and soft booties.

A timeline of the development of kids feet

Walking usually starts to occur between the ages of 10-24 months. They typically advance in the timeline described below, although sometimes they can skip a step.

Lying --> Sitting --> Crawling --> Standing --> Cruising --> Walking --> Hopping, jumping and running

 

kids foot problems Once they start walking, the child will need to wear shoes for outdoor activities. However, when indoors at home, allow your child to roam free without shoes. This will help to build the intrinsic foot muscles that strengthen the foot arches. For outdoors, choose a soft-soled (ie. Rubber), low cut sneaker that has plenty of room for the toes to wiggle. Children typically outgrow their shoes every 3-12 months and so the extra room will not last long. Be diligent and check regularly.

 

If in doubt, consult your podiatrist for more information or head to a quality shoe store that specialises in children’s footwear fitting.

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Make a podiatrist appointment for treatment of kids foot problems.

Our highly qualified and experienced podiatrists are experts in biomechanics and it’s our philosophy that the finest foot care requires an entirely bespoke experience. That’s why we are dedicated to providing entirely tailor-made diagnosis and treatment services that are the best in Australia.

Our dynamic practice has a holistic approach to resolving foot complaints.

From assessment and diagnosis to extraordinary treatment, every step of your journey with us will deliver you the ultimate podiatric experience, resulting in healthier and happier feet.

Book a consultation with our podiatrists in Sydney (Macquarie St)Darlinghurst and Randwick to discuss your condition and we’ll get you pain-free and back to full function as smoothly and quickly as possible, so you can return to the activities and life you love.

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