When Does Your Child Need a Podiatrist? What to watch for:

Kids are always on their feet, so it is important for them to have healthy feet. The podiatrist will discuss the best ways for your child to take care of their feet with you. Sometimes children need treatment from a podiatrist because they have issues with their foot pain.

Why do kids need a podiatrist?

Kids have to be on their feet all the time, whether they are playing or they're at school. They walk on uneven surfaces and run around all day, so the parts of their feet are always moving under load. Some kids develop problems with their feet, ankles or legs because due to a range of reasons.

Not sure when to take them in? If your child ever experiences pain in the feet or legs this would indicate that a podiatry check-up is required. Otherwise, these are the minimum milestones to look out for:

At Kallangur Podiatry we commonly see children at:

• 3-4 years of age (Intoeing and tiptoeing is commonly observed)

• 5 years of age is when children begin school and wearing shoes all day.

• 8-10 years of age; developmental and growing pains in the heels called Sever's Disease can be seen.

• 12 years of age as children increase loading with sports and activities.

What to watch for

Some basic health issues that your child can have are related to their foot, ankle, and knee. If a child has these types of issues, they need to see a podiatrist and have a complete exam performed. If your child has ankle or knee pain related to the underlying structure of their foot, they need to see a foot specialist. This will help with diagnosis and with treatment.

If your child is reporting pain:

• At the heel(s) after activity

• Pain in the middle or front of the foot

• Pain in the knees post activity

• If your children are very clumsy and trip a lot

• If your children asked to be picked up during walking activities regularly

When to see a Podiatrist.

See your podiatrist for treatment when foot pain, swelling, toe separation, or flat feet are severe, persistent, and affecting your ability to play, exercise, and function at a normal level. How to evaluate foot pain. A podiatrist should be able to tell you what kind of foot pain you are experiencing.

What should you expect from your visit?

Your visit with the podiatrist is very simple. The podiatrist will ask questions about your child and evaluate his or her feet. The podiatrist will conduct a physical examination of the range of motion and strength of the lower limbs followed by a functional assessment of the walking, running, balance and jumping as required. A footwear assessment will also be conducting looking at the wear patterns on the bottom and top of the shoes.

In most cases, we can assure you that the issues that you may be concerned with will resolve with time but should always be assessed to rule out more sinister pathologies.

So apart from some terrible dad jokes the only news you will get is GOOD news that everything is okay.