Kids’ Foot Health: What’s Normal, What’s Not – A Quick Guide for Parents

​As children grow, their feet go through important changes. But how do you know what’s part of normal development and what’s not? Below is a parent-friendly guide to the most common foot and ankle conditions in children, and how podiatry can help ensure your child stays comfortable, active, and pain-free.

Flat Feet (Pes Planus

👶 Seen from toddler age
🔍 Look out for: Collapsed arch, fatigue or pain after walking
🩺 How I help:

• Gait assessment to determine whether the flat feet are within normal developmental range or causing biomechanical strain.
• Footwear advice to ensure proper support, cushioning, and stability for developing feet.
• Custom orthotics to support the arch, improve alignment, reduce strain on muscles and joints, and relieve pain during walking or activity.

 In-Toeing / Out-Toeing

👧 Typical between ages 2–8
🔍 Look out for: Feet turning inward/outward when walking or running
🩺 How I help:

• Gait analysis, advice on whether the pattern is part of normal development or needs intervention.
  
• In certain cases, custom orthotics can help guide foot alignment, improve walking patterns, and reduce tripping or fatigue

Sever’s Disease (Heel Pain

⚽ Common in active kids aged 8–14
🔍 Look out for: Heel pain during or after sport, limping, avoiding activity
🩺 How I help:

• Activity modifications to reduce repetitive stress on the heel during high-impact sports or training.
• Conservative treatment advice such as rest, ice, and load management to allow inflammation to settle.
• Custom orthotics or heel support to cushion the heel, offload pressure from the growth plate, and improve foot mechanics.
• Stretching program targeting tight calf muscles and the Achilles tendon, which helps reduce tension on the heel.

Toe Walking

👣 May be normal under age 3, concerning if it persists
🔍 Look out for: Walking mostly on toes, poor heel strike
🩺 How I help:

• Rule out neurological causes, recommend exercises/referral

Ingrown Toenail

👦 Common in teens
🔍 Look out for: Red, swollen, painful nail edges, sometimes with infection
🩺 How I help:

• Safe trimming to prevent worsening by cutting nails properly and avoiding digging into skin.
• Gentle treatment including cleaning, reducing inflammation, and pain relief to promote healing.
• Permanent solutions if needed like minor procedures to remove part of the nail and prevent recurrence.

Plantar Warts (Verrucae)

🏫 School-age children
🔍 Look out for: Painful, rough lesions on the sole of the foot that may cause discomfort when walking
🩺 How I help:

• Accurate diagnosis to distinguish warts from other skin conditions.
• Evidence-based treatment such as topical therapies or laser therapy that effectively target the virus.

Overuse Injuries

🏃 Seen in sporty, active kids
🔍 Look out for: Repetitive pain or discomfort with no clear injury
🩺 How I help:

• Full biomechanical assessment to identify movement patterns or imbalances causing stress.
• Activity modifications to reduce strain while maintaining fitness and allowing recovery.
• Preventative strategies including strengthening, stretching, and proper footwear advice to avoid future injuries.

​✅ Does Your Child Need a Foot Check?
Ask yourself:

• Does my child complain of sore feet or legs?
• Do they trip or fall more than usual?
• Are their shoes wearing out unevenly?
• Do they avoid walking, running, or playing?
• Is their foot posture noticeably different from others?

If you answered yes to any of the above—it’s worth getting them checked. Early intervention can make a lifelong difference.


🔍 Myth vs Fact
Myth: All children with flat feet need orthotics.
Fact: Many flat feet are part of normal development and need no treatment--but some cases do require support to avoid future issues.
Myth: Growing pains are always normal.
Fact: Persistent pain may signal an underlying issue like overuse injuries, growth plate inflammation, or structural imbalance.


👋 Let’s Keep Them Moving Comfortably
Children often don’t know how to express discomfort in their feet. As a podiatrist, I specialise in gentle, age-appropriate care—from assessment to treatment—and I’d be happy to help if you have any concerns.