Little Feet

Sometimes little ones have funny feet and toes, and in most cases this is normal.

At SoHi Podiatry we are always happy to take a look and have a chat, even if it’s just for peace of mind. Some common issues experienced by our youngest patients include:

• Back, hip, knee, ankle, arch or heel pain
• Toe clawing, toe walking
• Growing pains
• Recurrent trips and falls
• Recurrent ankle sprains
• Trouble keeping up

At SoHi we advise parents and their children on foot health for injury prevention, physical activity and self-esteem, aiming for a well-rounded treatment program. We are conservative when it comes to treating the growing foot – footwear advice, reassurance and postural exercises are often all that’s required.

Following computerised gait analysis and static stance testing to determine the extent of the problem, occasionally specialised orthotics or other forms of treatment are indicated. To help in the ongoing care of the growing foot, our online patient record system allows us to track developmental milestones for future reference.

Fun facts on little feet:

• A child's foot structure is made up of relatively soft and flexible cartilage which gradually converts to bone over time (by the mid to late teens). During this growth stage, your child’s feet can be affected by many different factors (e.g. inappropriate footwear, sporting activities), and are susceptible to injury and poor development in the form of flat feet or low arches.
• It is not normal for children to experience foot or lower limb pain. “Growing pains” that last for more than a few days may be related to a foot or lower limb problem.
• On average, kids’ feet grow two sizes per year in the first four years of life and up to one size per year thereafter until growth is complete.
• The foot continues to grow until the age of 16 years for girls and 18 years for boys.
• It is important to ensure a shoe is not fitted too small, but making sure the shoe is not too big is also a priority. Shoes are often sports-specific, so understanding a child’s activity allows for the correct shoe to be fitted. At SoHi, we are happy for you to pop in with your child’s school shoes to check that they are suitable.