Pediatric Foot Care—Growing Pains and Other Myths

At Caring Podiatry, we specialize in foot care for the entire family. Foot care is essential for ensuring children’s feet grow into healthy adult feet. Parents sometimes report that their child is experiencing “growing pains” in their legs and feet. While the pain may be real, there is no scientific evidence to show that it’s connected to growth. These pains are most often reported at night by school-age children and are more likely the result of an overly active day or being overtired.

Below are some common misconceptions about pediatric health issues and what to do about them:

MYTH: Children don’t need podiatric care unless they sustain an injury.

FACT: Children can suffer from many of the same podiatric conditions as adults. Some issues, such as athlete’s foot, fungal toenails, warts, and ingrown toenails, are more prevalent in children due to their lifestyle and habits.

MYTH: If my child had a foot or ankle problem, I would know it.

FACT: Often, very young children don’t know how to articulate discomfort in their feet. If you notice your young child lagging behind playmates or suddenly not wanting to participate in physical activities they previously enjoyed, it may be a sign that their feet are hurting. Sometimes a child might say things like, “My feet are tired,” or you may notice your child walking on tiptoes or otherwise altering their gait. These are signs that more investigation is needed.

MYTH: When it comes to sports, the more my child plays, the better for their health and wellbeing.

FACT: While there are many benefits to playing sports—regular physical activity is among them—children's bones and muscles are growing and developing and can be damaged by overuse and repetitive actions. It's important that your child has breaks throughout the year between sports seasons. Athletes between 8 and 15 years old who are involved in sports for significant periods may suffer from a condition that causes extreme heel pain known as Sever’s disease. It occurs at the back of the heel, where the growth plate has not yet formed. Repetitive running or activities that put excessive pounding pressure on the heel will aggravate this part of the foot and cause pain. Rest is required for the inflammation and pain to subside.

MYTH: When my child gets older, I will instruct them on how to care for their feet.

FACT: It’s never too soon to teach your child the basics of good foot care: washing your feet daily, not sharing other people’s shoes, and checking your feet for cuts, bruises, or other unusual symptoms. Children who develop healthy foot habits when they are young are more likely to carry them into adulthood.

Persistent foot pain in your child should be evaluated by our podiatrists, Andrew Schmierer, Craig Shapero, and Matthew Weintraub, to determine an underlying podiatric condition. Contact our Monroe Township (609-860-9111) and Neptune (732-455-8700) offices for an appointment if you have any concerns.