Common Foot Problems in Children: What to Do and When to Worry

Dr. Brian Nagy | November 1st, 2017

Posted In: Children, Foot Problems

Does your child complain that they’re feet hurt? Because feet grow fast during childhood, kids sometimes suffer from growing pains, the most common childhood foot problem. There are other childhood foot problems that are fairly common, but some are serious and should be addressed by your podiatrist as soon as possible. If you have questions or concerns about unusual foot pain your child is experiencing, seek help from a New Hampshire podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Common Childhood Foot Problems

Common foot problems in children that typically self-correct or correct with minor intervention include the following:

Stubbed toes
Blisters
Pigeon Toes (toes pointing in)
Out-Toeing
Pinching due to incorrect shoe size
Tiptoe Walking
Bowed legs
Knock-knees
Flat feet

Children may even get a wart or a little bunion, but these can be treated at home with wart remover, foot soaks, and a mild pain reliever specifically formulated for children if there is mild accompanying pain.

Bowed legs, knock-knees, pigeon toes, out-toeing, and temporarily flat feet are minor childhood foot issues that resolve on their own or with the help of arch supports or orthotic taping.

Growing pains can be quite painful for kids, so make sure you are buying correctly-sized shoes for your children. That might mean buying new shoes every few months, but appropriate footwear helps ensure the proper growth and development of your child’s feet.

Constant Foot Pain Requires a Visit to Your Podiatrist

It’s time to see a podiatrist if your child is constantly complaining of foot pain. Constant or severe pain is an indication that something is wrong. Foot problems in children that need professional attention include permanent flat feet, misaligned feet, and foot or ankle injury.

Undiagnosed foot pain in childhood can lead to long-lasting major problems such as arthritis, weak muscles, deformity, mental anxiety, and severe pain. It’s best to catch a foot problem as early as possible in order to prevent further damage and life-long suffering.

Flat feet

If your child has flat feet, he should outgrow them by the age of about six. However, roughly 20 percent of children do not outgrow flat feet. In these cases, the condition is most likely hereditary. You may notice your child walking with a funny gait and he will probably complain that his feet hurt. Dr. Nagy at Nagy Footcare can help your child learn strengthening exercises or, if necessary, he can provide orthotics to correct the problem.

Misaligned feet

If the tiny bone between your child’s ankle and heel bones slides off the heel bone, your child has misaligned feet that can lead to a host of serious problems and long-lasting pain. Your podiatrist might consider conservative treatments including stretching and strengthening exercises.

If your child is suffering from a lot of pain, HyProCure^® is a minimally invasive surgical technique available that can solve the problem of misaligned feet. Dr. Nagy is a Qualified HyProCure^® Surgeon and has helped many patients who previously suffered from misaligned feet.

Foot and ankle injury

Sprains, tears, bruising, and breaks in your child’s foot or ankle need immediate attention. She should be properly diagnosed so she receives the right treatment. That might include things you can do for her at home such as keeping the foot elevated, resting and icing it, helping her perform strengthening exercises, and administering children’s aspirin. But she might also need bandaging, orthotic taping, bracing, crutches, or something else. Even mild sprains can turn into lifelong foot problems if left untreated.

The most important thing you can do if your child has foot pain is to take it seriously. Make sure you see a New Hampshire podiatrist as soon as possible if your child suffers from severe pain or anything that requires more than a band-aid and a hug.

At Nagy Footcare, we believe your child should not have to suffer foot or ankle pain. We believe they should get the right treatment at the right time, and see results as quickly as possible. We see our patients as individuals, listen carefully, and offer customized treatment plans. Don’t neglect your child’s foot problem. Contact the friendly professionals at Nagy Footcare today; we want to help!

At Nagy Footcare, our best day is the day you wake up with no foot pain.