Far from being miniature versions of adult feet, children’s feet are still forming. Their bones are softer, their ligaments more flexible, and their overall structure highly malleable. While this is what makes their feet adaptable, it’s also what makes them vulnerable. Poor foot health during these early years can lead to lasting problems, such as poor posture, knee pain, or even chronic back discomfort. It’s not just about the feet themselves—it’s about the foundation they create for the rest of the body.
The good news? Addressing potential issues while children are young gives their growing bodies the best chance to develop strong, balanced movement patterns. With a little foresight and care, today’s healthy feet can be tomorrow’s pain-free mobility.
Common Foot Problems in Children
As much as children are bundles of energy, their feet can sometimes struggle to keep up. From niggling aches to more serious conditions, a variety of issues can crop up. The trick is spotting them early and knowing how to respond.
Flat Feet
Every baby starts life with flat feet—it’s perfectly normal in those wobbly first steps. But as kids grow, their arches should begin to form. When they don’t, flat feet can persist into childhood and beyond, leading to pain or difficulty with activities like running or jumping. Left unchecked, flat feet can also affect overall alignment, putting strain on knees and hips.
Ingrown Toenails
Small as they may be, toenails can cause outsized problems. An ingrown toenail happens when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin, often due to poorly fitted shoes or nails being trimmed too short. The result? Swelling, redness, and a lot of discomfort.
Catching it early can prevent infection and more invasive treatments. Teaching children how to properly clip their nails—straight across rather than curved—combined with ensuring their shoes aren’t too tight, can keep this common issue at bay.
Plantar Warts
Active kids love to explore, but some surfaces can harbour unwanted hitchhikers like the virus that causes plantar warts. These warts, often found on the soles of the feet, can be painful when walking or standing. Treatment ranges from at-home remedies to podiatric procedures, but prevention is also key. Wearing shoes in public spaces like pools or changing rooms can significantly reduce the risk.
Sever’s Disease
For sporty children, heel pain might be more than just a sign of a busy weekend. Sever’s disease, a condition affecting the growth plate in the heel, is a frequent complaint among active kids. It typically flares up during growth spurts, when the heel bone grows faster than the surrounding muscles and tendons, causing tension and inflammation. Rest, stretching exercises, and sometimes orthotic support can ease the discomfort, ensuring kids can get back to doing what they love without long-term effects.
The Importance of Early Intervention in Podiatric Care
When children’s feet are properly assessed and cared for during their growth years, we’re not just addressing immediate concerns. We’re actively preventing future issues that could affect posture, balance, and overall mobility. At Physio Connect, we specialise in spotting the subtle biomechanical imbalances that, if left unchecked, can lead to larger issues like joint pain or reduced physical performance.
By incorporating physiotherapy into podiatric care, we go beyond the feet. For example, addressing a child’s gait patterns can help us uncover how their feet, ankles, knees, and hips are working together—or not. Physiotherapy offers targeted exercises and treatments to correct these imbalances, helping kids avoid compensatory habits that could wreak havoc on their bodies later in life.
Podiatric Care at Physio Connect: A Whole-Body Approach
Children’s podiatric care isn’t just about feet—it’s about their entire movement system. At Physio Connect, we focus on more than just quick fixes. Instead, we aim for long-term solutions that support healthy, pain-free movement well into adulthood.
Customised Orthotics and Footwear Guidance
Every child is unique, and their feet deserve solutions tailored to them. Sometimes, that means recommending custom orthotics—specialised insoles that support the feet and correct alignment issues. Other times, it’s as simple as advising on the best shoes for their growing feet.
Therapeutic Exercises and Strengthening
Physiotherapy exercises play a crucial role in building foot and ankle strength. For children with flat feet, for example, exercises that focus on the arch muscles can help develop that much-needed support. Stretching tight calves and strengthening small foot muscles might sound basic, but these steps lay the foundation for better mobility and injury prevention.
For active kids, we also address the strain sports can place on growing feet. Structured rehab exercises can ease issues like Sever’s disease and keep them in the game—literally.
Educating Families for Long-Term Success
We get it: kids aren’t always the most attentive when it comes to foot care. That’s why we involve parents and caregivers in every step of the process. From teaching proper nail-cutting techniques to identifying when it’s time for new shoes, we empower families to become champions of foot health at home.’
Let’s Get Them Moving Right
If your child’s feet are giving them grief, or you simply want to ensure they’re on the right track for healthy development, Physio Connect is here to help. From thorough assessments to personalised care plans, we’re dedicated to keeping kids active and pain-free. Because when their feet are happy, the rest of them follows suit.
Book an appointment today, and let’s keep those feet—and the bodies they carry—on the move
