Foot and Ankle Problems in Children

Is your child tripping frequently, lagging behind their friends while playing or completely withdrawing from activities, if so your child might be suffering from a foot or ankle ailment.

Foot and ankle problems in children often go unnoticed. Signs and symptoms can be subtle, and sometimes children can’t explain what’s wrong. But it’s important to protect growing feet and have problems checked out early.

Below are five warning signs to watch for in your growing child:

1. Child Can’t Keep Up with Their Peers
If your child lags behind in sports or backyard play, it may be because their feet or legs are tired. Fatigue is common when children have flat feet: The muscles in the feet and legs tire easily because the feet are not functioning as well as they should.

2. Your Child Voluntarily Withdraws from Activities they Usually Enjoy
If your child is reluctant to participate, it may be due to heel pain: A problem often seen in children between the ages of 8 and 14. Repetitive stress from sports may cause muscle strain and inflammation of the growth plate, a weak area at the back of a child’s heel.

3. They Don’t Want to Show You Their Feet
Children may feel pain or notice a change in the appearance of their feet or nails but don’t want to tell mom or dad because they fear a trip to the doctor’s office. Therefore, make it a habit to inspect your child’s feet for any changes such as calluses, growths, skin discoloration or redness and swelling around the toenails.

4. Your Child Often Trips and Falls
Repeated clumsiness may be a sign of in-toeing, balance problems or neuromuscular conditions, that may warrant a trip the doctor's office.

5. Child Complains of Pain
It is never normal for a child to have foot pain.

A child with any of these signs or symptoms should be promptly examined. Please call our office for proper diagnosis and treatment of your child’s aliments, 1-440-946-5858.