Children's Foot Conditions

Children's foot problems can start for a number of reasons. Below are the most common children's foot problems that we treat at Burswood Health.

Children's foot problems can stem from a range of issues. Below are some of the most common children's foot problems that we treat at Burswood Health.

A child may have poor balance or bad posture, especially at a young age, and it’s important to evaluate muscle problems and overall musculoskeletal alignment early. Treatment in the early stages of growth can prevent further problems down the track.

A child can experience pain or have one foot looks different to the other foot. These types of children's foot problems may be typical of a developmental stage, however if there is pain, uneven wearing of shoes, or the child has an unusual walking style, the child’s posture and foot positioning should be assessed.

Calcaneal Apophysitis, Sever’s Disease (or simply Sever’s) is a common cause of heel pain in children. The pain is caused by inflammation at the back of the heel bone where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel and is:

• An overuse injury more than an actual ‘disease’
• Common just before puberty when growth spurts are beginning
• More common in boys than in girls
• Typically seen in boys ages 10 to 12 and girls ages 9 to 11

Specific childhood conditions can make it hard to stand and move in a normal way. If the underlying children's foot problems are treated early, the child can avoid pain, discomfort or disability later in life.

In-toeing is when the child’s feet roll inward and it can happen because either the whole foot, the shinbone, or the thigh bone, is turning inward. With young children, in-toeing won’t lead to any pain or swelling and it can be corrected with exercises and active care.

Out-toeing is when a child’s feet turned outward instead of straight while they walk and they develop an unusual walk. The biomechanics of the child's feet can be examined to identify the strengthening and stretching exercises to correct the condition.

Children with joints that move beyond the normal motion range of motion may be referred to as having ‘loose joints’ and being ‘double-jointed.’ In a few cases, the child can develop muscle imbalances particularly when walking or standing. Joint Hypermobility Syndrome occurs in 10% to 15% of children and is considered benign.

Osgood Schlatter's Disease is where the foot causes the lower leg to rotate inward, and the abnormal knee function causes pressure on the knee. The patellar tendon (around the knee) pulls in a direction that can damage to the growth plate. The child feels pain around the front of the knee and the pain feels worse kneeling or when the knee is bumped.

Children’s feet and bodies go through many stages of formation. The last bone in a child’s feet start to form when they’re 3 years old, and most of our bones finish forming by 18.In regards to children's foot problems, it means that’s why it is important to get a multi-disciplinary team to diagnose a child’s foot condition.

We work with parents and children to:

• Assess early development concerns like posture, gait, toe walking or flat feet
• Strengthen muscles through specific exercises and stretching
• Check shoe size and fit every few months
• Identify the right amount of exercise
• Treat strains or injuries and monitor recovery

In between stages of growth, the proper chiropractic and podiatry care can improve or help prevent certain children's foot problems from becoming long-term conditions. Call us, 08 9361 26 28. Make an appointment to see how we can help you.