A no-nonsense intro to paediatric podiatry
Parenting can be tough. And knowing when to seek professional advice for the weird and wonderful things we see in our children can be a challenge. “Am I overreacting? Is her running style normal? Should he be walking yet?”
One of the things I love most about my job is working with kids and their developing feet. Children account for about a quarter of the clients that I see, and this number is growing thanks to the growing awareness of parents in addressing posture and gait changes early in development.
Cute. But these little pitter patterers are not just mini adult feet, and the problems they might have are different
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Before I go any further I have to stress that the information below is general in nature and is not, and should not be considered, clinical or medical advice. Please always consult with a medical professional.
When to see a podiatrist for your children
Getting a professional opinion is a good idea if your child is complaining of any of the following:
Pain
This should always be investigated. Children can experience pain for all sorts of reasons, but if your child is complaining of persisting soreness, is waking at night with pain or changing their walking or movement to avoid pain, these are all red flags that something is not right.
Developmental Delay
If your child is not walking after 18 months old, we’d like to see them. Likewise if your child is struggling with coordination or movement when compared with their peers, let’s have a chat. It may be that we take a “wait and see” approach, but if there are any more worrying reasons for your child avoiding taking steps, these need to be identified and treated quickly. Please also remember to speak with your General Practitioner about your concerns
Posture / Alignment
Children start showing dysfunctional walking patterns when they’re very young. Flat feet, high-arched feet, in toe or out toe, knock knees or bowed knees, hypermobility and toe walking – these are all relevant postural problems that can respond well to podiatric intervention and management. The idea that children “grow out of” these alignment issues can be dangerous. Often the chronic pain we see presenting in our adult clients is the result of compensations that the child learnt in early movement.
Even my kids (pictured) don’t have perfect feet
Strange Shoe Wear
News flash – Children are hard on shoes. Shoes on young kids take a beating. And it’s not just the physical work, but the puddles, the tree bark and the endless amount of sand that can be tough on material*. HOWEVER – if your child is wearing down their shoes unevenly or crazy fast, this can be a sign of unhealthy gait patterns (Jargon Translator: this means wonky walking). Compare the shoe damage to siblings or friends of a similar age – is it similar? More importantly, if the two shoes are wearing differently from each other and your kiddo is walking asymmetrically (Jargon Translator: wonky, again) this is a real concern and you should see a professional now.
*Seriously, where does all the sand come from?
Family History
If Mum, Dad or Great Uncle Barry had foot problems (or knee problems, or back problems), even if these problems occurred as an adult – it’s worth an assessment with a podiatrist. There are a number of genetic risk factors that can influence our movement and posture. If we intervene early, there is a good chance of avoiding more significant issues that will lead to pain down the track. (Can any one say knee arthritis?)
An even more worthy goal would be helping clients (that’s your kids) enjoy and succeed at physical challenges rather than just endure them – a great example is young adolescents whoopt out of sports because of general discomfort or because they are embarrassed by coordination problems. If we can improve movement, we are setting these kids up for a healthier attitude to sport and movement that will benefit them for a lifetime (and to which you will ferry them in the meantime).
Conclusion
Kids grow so fast! Which is delightful and terrifying all at once. The beauty of treating children is how well they respond with early intervention. So if you have any concerns, the answer to “Should my kid see a podiatrist?” is a definite “Yes!”