Kids Feet Health Tips
If a child indulges in any form of activity, injuries can occur and they will be likely to have aches and pains from time to time. However if a pattern emerges or there is prolonged discomfort you should seek professional opinion.
Growth, possible weight gain and increased exercise can all contribute to make an underlying previously hidden foot structural issue become more relevant and the cause of a wide range of painful foot and lower limb problems.
Children may regard foot problems as normal and may not complain. However, any complaints should always be taken seriously and a diagnosis made as soon as possible.
Failure to recognise and treat these overuse problems can lead to long-term problems for the child including an inability to reach their true sporting potential. Most problems are readily managed by your podiatrist, utilising a variety of methods.
The Podiatrist you see will perform annual foot health reviews/checks to prevent or correct deformity and maintain normal mobility and function.
If you are a parent or guardian and have any concerns -for whatever reason- you should always seek professional advice, as it is better for your fears to be unfounded, than to discover, often too late, that treatment was required.
At Circle Podiatry, we continuously strive to provide quality foot care for you and the ones you love.
What to look out for
- Skin – Areas of redness, rashes, blisters on the back of the heel and on the tops of the small joints of the toes.
- Nails – Inflammation around the nails should always be taken seriously.
- Deformities – Toes should be straight in line with the foot and not drawn back or curled, particularly, the big toe should always be straight.
- Posture – the feet should not appear excessively turned in or out, or the arch very flat, particularly, if the child complains of pain.
Some helpful tips to help look after you little one’s feet
- Check the size of their socks.
- Inspect their shoes regularly for unusual wear.
Unusual wear may be the first indication that there is a problem with the foot posture or general posture and should always be investigated by a qualified and registered podiatrist.