As a parent, you’re probably finely tuned to your child’s health. You’ll notice almost anything that’s slightly different in your child, but sometimes, when it comes to their foot health, you simply aren’t sure if there is a problem or if they’re just growing normally.
As podiatrists in Sydney, we know that it’s not always easy to tell if your child really needs to see a podiatrist. We appreciate that sometimes, you just aren’t sure if it’s worth paying for a consultation, when your child may simply be tired or have sore feet from a long day of walking. So if you’re wondering whether your child needs to see a podiatrist, here are some signs to look for before you book an appointment with your local paediatric podiatrist.
Complaints
Foot Pain
Has your child regularly complained about their feet being sore? There are a few different things that could cause foot pain, and foot pain should never be ignored. Poor quality shoes, flat feet, ingrown toenails and plantar warts could contribute to foot pain in children.
Leg Pain
Leg pain is another common issue we hear about in children. How many times has your child complained about sore legs, usually at night time? Often we put it down to too much walking or running around, and sometimes even ‘growing pains’.
The truth is that no leg pain in children is normal and if your child is complaining regularly of leg pain, it is well worth booking an appointment with a paediatric podiatrist to see what the underlying cause may be.
Physical Signs
Regularly checking your child’s feet will help you notice any changes in the shape or features of their feet. If changes or conditions are picked up early enough, most issues can be treated and rectified before they develop into long term conditions that may be harder to treat if ignored until adulthood.
Regular Foot Checks
Check the shape of the foot – excessively curved feet should be addressed. Check whether their feet are symmetrical and keep an eye on the curve of their foot arch – if it’s flat this should definitely be investigated by a qualified podiatrist.
Unusual Foot Developments
Watch out for toe-walking, in-toeing or out-toeing – if you child exhibits any of these signs we highly recommend you consult a podiatrist.
Skin Changes
Physical changes to the skin to look for include plantar warts, and dry, scaly or red skin which could indicate eczema or psoriasis.
Injuries
If your child has injured themselves and their legs or feet have been affected, an appointment with a podiatrist will help you determine if their injury will affect the way their feet will grow or the way in which they will walk.
Sports Injuries
Sporting injuries commonly result in referrals to podiatrists so if your child plays any sports and sustains an injury, always check their legs and feet for warning signs of a foot-related injury.
The most important thing to remember is that if you do notice any changes to your child’s feet or the way they walk or move, it is well-worth seeing a professional about the issue.
Trusted podiatrists will not try to sell you solutions your child does not need. They’ll take the time to speak to you and your child, examine their feet and legs and take a holistic view to the medical care of their feet.
So find a podiatrist you can trust, and you’ll ensure your children grow up with healthy feet!
Article Author: Rudo Makuyana is one of the podiatrists at The Foot Hub in Sydney. Rudo is passionate about foot health and treating patients holistically – not just the individual problem. Originally from Zimbabwe, she completed her Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine at the University of Western Australia (School of Surgery) in 2011. She now practices in her foot clinicin Alexandria, Sydney and also volunteers and advocates for the rights of the world’s poor.
