Have your children complained that their feet hurt? Children who participate in recreational sports are susceptible to the same injuries as their parents, so your child’s complaints should not be dismissed even though their description may seem vague. Their pain is real and can be treated. Very young children may not be able to tell you about pain or foot problems, but you may notice that your child has pigeon toes, heel pain, bowlegs, or flat feet. Usually these conditions don’t need treatment, but a parent’s watchful eye will prevent problems from getting worse. Also make a habit of inspecting your child’s feet starting at a young age to look for calluses, growths, skin discoloration, or redness and swelling around the toenails.
Toe In or Toe Out
It’s common for children to begin standing and walking with their toes and feet turned in (pigeon-toed) or out. This may be caused by of a slight twist of the upper or lower leg bones, and heredity may play a part in the tendency to walk with toes pointed in or out. As most children grow, their bones will eventually rotate to a normal angle, and the child’s gait will improve. If in-toeing or out-toeing does not improve by age 3, discuss this with a podiatrist. Special shoes and braces were remedies in the past, but they are rarely used now because they don’t make this condition improve any faster.
Heel Pain
When children complain of heel pain, it’s most likely due to inflammation in the growth plate at the back of the heel, known as Sever’s disease or Sever’s condition. It’s caused by a sprain injury where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone (the calcaneus) and it can be very painful. Sever’s condition affects boys between 8 and 15 years old more often than girls, and especially boys who play soccer, football, or baseball. Sport shoes with cleats may aggravate the condition, though an underlying problem with the way the foot functions may be the cause. If calf muscle stretching, heel cushions, anti-inflammatory meds and ice don’t help, see a podiatrist who can evaluate the problem and may prescribe orthotics.
Bowlegs
Legs that bend outward from the knees down is a common sight in infants, but it usually corrects itself as a child grows. Bowleggedness in a child older than 2, or in one leg only, could be the sign of a larger problem such as rickets or Blount disease. Rickets, a condition that signals a lack of vitamin D or calcium in the diet, is usually cured by the addition of these nutrients. Blount disease may suddenly appear in a toddler’s legs and may quickly become worse. It causes abnormal growth near the knee joint and may require corrective surgery or bracing. Take your child to a doctor if bowleggedness appears only in one leg or gets worse with time.
Flat Feet
Flat feet are normal in infants, because the arches have not yet developed. While many children do develop arches as they grow, others do not and may face a future of arch, heel, and ankle pain that increases with standing, walking, or running. If flat feet cause your child’s legs and knees to roll inward, your child may feel pain in the lower back, hip, knees, or legs. Flat feet can be diagnosed by a podiatrist at an early age, and treatment may include calf muscle stretching exercises, supportive shoes, and orthotics or arch supports in the shoes.