← What we treat

Children's Foot Problems

A child's feet are still developing, and problems that would be treated one way in an adult are often managed differently while bones and growth plates are still maturing. Some things that look concerning resolve on their own with growth, and some things that look minor are worth addressing early.

Flat feet

Nearly all young children have flat feet, and the arch typically develops through early childhood. Most flexible flat feet cause no symptoms and need no treatment. What is worth evaluating is a flat foot that hurts, that limits activity, that appears on only one side, or that is rigid rather than flexible.

Ingrown toenails

Common in older children and teenagers, particularly with sports, tight cleats, and trimming the nails too short at the corners. They are treated in the office under local anesthetic, and a permanent option is available when the same nail keeps returning.

Plantar warts

Caused by a virus, often picked up in locker rooms, pools, and gyms. Warts are common in children but occur in adults as well. They frequently appear on the bottom of the foot, may be painful with pressure, and are commonly mistaken for a callus. Several treatment options exist and warts in children often respond well, though treatment usually takes more than one visit.

Heel pain

Heel pain in a growing child is not the same condition as heel pain in an adult. In active children and adolescents it is often related to the growth plate at the back of the heel and is common during growth spurts and sports seasons. It is treatable, and it typically resolves once the growth plate matures.

Toe walking, in-toeing, and gait concerns

Parents frequently notice a child walking on the toes, walking with the feet turned in, or complaining of pain after activity. Many of these patterns are normal at certain ages and change on their own. Others benefit from evaluation. If you are unsure whether what you are seeing is normal, that itself is a reasonable reason to come in.

When to bring your child in

Pain that limits play or sports, a limp, swelling, a foot that looks different from the other, or any complaint that persists for more than a couple of weeks is worth having looked at. Children often understate foot pain, and a child who has quietly stopped doing something they used to enjoy is worth paying attention to.