This page provides general health information and does not diagnose an individual condition. Persistent, worsening or concerning symptoms should be assessed by an appropriately qualified health professional.
When should a child see a podiatrist?
Parents may seek assessment if a child complains of foot, heel or leg pain, walks on their toes, trips frequently, has noticeably flat or highly arched feet, walks with the feet turning in or out, struggles with sport, or there are concerns about development.
What happens during an assessment?
The appointment usually includes medical and developmental history, activity levels and symptoms, followed by observation of posture, standing, walking, running and movement.
Physical and biomechanical assessment
The feet and lower limbs may be examined for alignment, joint flexibility, muscle strength, balance, coordination, skin and nail health, circulation and nerve function where appropriate. If required, a biomechanical assessment may also look at gait, pressure distribution and footwear.
Common conditions assessed
- Flexible flat feet and high arches.
- In-toeing and out-toeing.
- Sever’s disease and Osgood-Schlatter disease.
- Plantar warts and ingrown toenails.
- Toe walking, sports injuries and fractures.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on age, diagnosis and symptoms and may include education, activity advice, stretching or strengthening, footwear recommendations, orthoses when appropriate, monitoring as the child grows, or referral to another health professional.
Pain, limping, marked asymmetry, weakness, loss of previously acquired skills or a sudden change in walking should be clinically assessed.
The Footpath Health approach
Footpath Health is designed to help you move from a symptom or question toward an appropriate next step without pretending that an online article can make an individual diagnosis. Depending on the problem, that next step may be self-management, podiatry, physiotherapy or GP assessment, imaging or specialist care.
Still not sure what the right next step is?
Tell Footpath Health what is bothering you and we can help guide you towards an appropriate healthcare professional.
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