Children Will NOT Grow Out Of Foot Pain

Many people are surprised that I see a large number of children in my Houston podiatry practice. In fact, kids have a fair amount of foot problems. Ingrown toenails and plantar warts are the most common reason that kids find their way into the office. The treatment for these conditions is generally straightforward.

I also see many kids who suffer from foot pain or problems. Kids having foot pain? Absolutely! The truth is many more children suffer needlessly from foot pain but are told by other doctors that they'll grow out of it or assumed by their parents to be growing pains. The pain can become recurrent and eventually constant. You'll find these kids not wanting to participate in sports or Physical Education in school. They'll turn to their Nintendo's and TV's and stay more sedentary. As they gain weight, which is a tremendous problem in children, they will suffer even more pain. No child has to suffer this way.

Put simply: Kids will NOT grow out of foot pain. The same goes for ankle pain and knee pain. It shouldn't be there and you should bring your child to your Houston podiatrist for evaluation if this is the case.

I remember clearly a parent who brought her twelve year old daughter to the office on the recommendation of her astute pediatrician who notices a potential issue with her foot and ankle mechanics. I questioned her daughter if she had any foot pain. The answer was that she did not. I then asked about ankle, knee, hip, or back pain. Her mother chimed in: Well that's just her normal knee pain. I looked at her and explained that there is no such thing as normal pain in a 12 year old.

Most foot pain experienced by children is caused by mechanics. The foot does not function as efficiently as it should, causing excess pressure to occur on some areas of the foot. This is common in the arch, inside of the foot and ankle, and the heel. Treatment is a combination of anti-inflammatory medication to treat the acute problem and the use of a custom orthotic to correct the mechanics that prevented the problem from resolving on its own in the first place. It is very rare to consider surgery in a child and is a last resort, so that concern should not be a reason to come to the office.

You owe it to your child to address the cause of his foot or ankle pain so he can return to being a kid. No child should have foot pain. If she does, contact our Houston office to schedule an appointment.