As a parent, there are so many things to worry about when raising a child. Sometimes the furthest thing from your mind is your child's feet. As Chiropodists and Pedorthists, we are trained to know what to look for when dealing with children and their ever-changing feet, including common children’s foot problems, pediatric foot concerns, and child gait issues.

What to look for

Here is a list of “Abnormalities” which we often see in children, and if intervention is necessary:

• • Intoeing

  When a child walks with their toes facing each other. This usually doesn't cause the child any pain, but can be caused by femoral anteversion, internal tibial rotation. That is where all along the chain the leg is rotated. Intoeing usually corrects itself prior to the age of eight without any intervention and is one of the common reasons parents book a children’s foot assessment.

  Treatment: If this does not correct itself, then non-surgical braces can be explored when appropriate and based on professional assessment.

• • Metatarsus Adductus

  This is the most commonly seen birth defect which causes the child's feet to curve inwards and may require a pediatric foot assessment if parents notice ongoing changes in foot position.

  Treatment: If this does not correct itself in a few months, the feet may be casted when appropriate and guided by a treating health-care professional.

• • Toe walking

  When a child does not walk with a visible heel strike, they tend to tip-toe walk. It is more common in boys than girls, and the muscles in the back of the leg are generally tighter and shorter. By eighteen months, however, most children will walk with a heel strike but ongoing toe walking may be a reason to book a child gait assessment.

  Treatment: Surgery is not necessary unless the issue does not decrease on its own and further treatment options should be discussed with a treating health-care professional.

• • Pes Planus (Flat Feet)

  Children's feet are very flat until they are 3-5 years old. This is due to excess fat and ligament laxity. Most likely the arches in the feet will take on a more defined shape at this age, but flat feet in children can be assessed if there is pain, walking difficulty, or footwear concerns.

What should a parent do?

If there are concerns about your child's feet, the best thing to do is have a trained professional take a look at their feet through a children’s foot assessment. We offer a full assessment where we look at your child's gait and muscle development, as well as tips on what to look for in footwear, including children’s footwear, proper shoe fit, and foot support for kids.

Contact DeNova Health in Hamilton and allow us to help your child find the best shoe for them to have happy, healthy feet. Book an appointment now and our qualified staff, including foot-care specialists, Chiropodists, and Pedorthists, will assess their feet and properly match them to their future sneakers with children’s foot care, gait assessment, and footwear guidance in Hamilton.