Children’s Foot Problems

Pod Podiatry Clinic is Sydney’s leading children’s foot pain clinic.

We treat foot and leg pain, nail and skin conditions, foot structure and gait abnormalities in the growing child. We prescribe orthotics where needed, offer and school and sports shoe advice.

Do you have concerns about your child’s feet or walking and running style? Is there a family history of foot or leg problems? Early detection and management of children’s foot problems may prevent more serious issues in later life, so it’s important to know what to look for and when you should have your child’s feet checked.

Some signs to look out for include:

• Complaints of pain while walking
• Night pain in the legs or feet
• Reluctance to participate in physical activity
• Complaints of tired legs (often small children will want to be picked up).
• Unusual walking style or limping
• If your child is stumbling or falling over
• Low arches (flat feet)
• Presence of bunions or other foot deformities.
• “Pigeon Toes” (feet turning in or out)
• Painful heels
• Ingrown toenails or unusually shaped toes
• If your child isn’t walking at all by the age of around two years

If you are at all concerned about your child’s feet or the way they walk, it is important to consult a podiatrist experienced in children’s foot disorders. There are many adult foot problems that can be prevented through early intervention in childhood.  At Pod, we have a lot of experience in evaluating and treating children with foot and lower limb issues.  We pride ourselves in providing gentle, effective treatments for our littlest patients.

One of the most common problems we see clinically at Pod is Sever’s disease. This condition causes heel pain in children between the ages of 8 and 14, usually in active children playing multiple sports.  Pain is worse with activity and may be severe enough to limit the child’s ability to run and jump.

The good news is that the condition generally responds well to treatment.  There are a number of relatively simple ways to effectively deal with Sever’s that usually allows a return to normal function within a few weeks.

Footwear choice can make a huge difference to a child’s foot function and sporting performance.

At Pod our experienced podiatrists can give advice on what shoes are best for your child’s feet.  When you attend for an appointment, bring in your child’s school and sports shoes so we can check that they are appropriate for your child’s foot type.