Children's Podiatry
Expert podiatry care for your child’s feet
Children's Podiatry in Sydney
Has your child got signs or symptoms of foot problems such as ingrown toenails, bunions or flat feet?
Are you concerned about your baby or toddler missing key developmental milestones when it comes to movement and walking?
The sooner you address issues with your children’s feet, the more likely you are to achieve a positive outcome.
That’s why, here at The Foot Hub, our paediatric podiatrists in Sydney will take the time to learn as much as they can about your child before they reach a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.
We offer children’s podiatry consultations for children from the age of 12 months to 18 years.
Why children’s podiatry?
We believe that many symptomatic foot problems suffered by adults actually start during childhood but remain undetected.
Babies undergo regular checks for things like hearing and eyesight, but very rarely are they checked for foot-related issues. Our children’s podiatrists recommend that children should be screened for foot problems at regular intervals – ideally at 12 months, 18 months, 3 years, 7 years and 12 years.
We know that as a parent, it can be worrying when you have concerns about your child’s health. That’s why we will spend time with you and your child prior to reaching any diagnosis or recommending any particular course of treatment.
But we’ll also be completely honest with you – if we don’t have any concerns about your child’s foot health, we’ll tell you. We won’t try to sell you orthotics that your child doesn’t need.
If your child does need some form of help, and you’re on a tight budget, we’ll make sure we recommend cost-effective treatment options where possible.
The paediatric podiatrists at our Sydney foot clinic are friendly and will make sure both you and your child are at complete ease when you visit us. Our initial assessment is thorough and holistic – we don’t just look at the issue at hand, but the bigger medical picture.
Common foot problems in children
There are many common issues that can affect children’s feet which require expert care from a children’s podiatrist. These include:
Pain Conditions
Knee pain
Knee pain in children can have various causes, including Osgood-Schlatter disease, patellar tendinitis, or injuries. Treatment depends on the underlying cause but may include rest, ice, physical therapy, or rarely, surgery.
Heel pain/Sever’s disease
Heel pain in children is often caused by Sever’s disease, an inflammation of the growth plate in the heel. It typically affects active children aged 8-14, with heel pain often being worse with activity. Treatment includes rest, ice, stretching exercises, and supportive footwear.
Structural Problems
Flat Feet
Flat feet occur when the arch of the foot collapses, causing the entire sole to contact the ground. It’s normal in infants and young children as arches typically develop by the age of 6. Persistent flat feet can be caused by genetics, loose ligaments, or certain medical conditions. While it often doesn’t present with obvious symptoms, flat feet may cause pain or affect gait (the way someone walks). Treatment provided by a children’s podiatrist includes supportive footwear, orthotics, and exercises.
Knocked Knees
Knocked knees is when the knees angle inward and touch when standing with the legs straight. It’s common in young children and usually resolves by age 7-8. Severe cases may be caused by obesity, rickets, or other conditions. Treatment is rarely needed but may include braces or surgery in extreme cases.
In-toeing
Tarsal coalition
Toe Conditions
Curly toes
Toe walking
Ingrown toenails
Skin conditions
Warts
Warts are viral skin growths caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). They’re common in children and can spread through direct contact. Treatment options include over-the-counter medications, cryotherapy, or laser removal.
How a children’s podiatrist can help
Our children’s podiatrists are trained to assess developmental milestones and identify potential problems early, which can prevent more serious issues from developing later in life. By addressing foot problems in childhood, we can improve your child’s gait and balance, reduce pain, and help prevent long-term complications that could affect your child’s mobility and overall quality of life.
Our recommended treatments will depend upon the problem your child has, but we are qualified to recommend appropriate footwear, prescribe custom orthotics, suggest exercises, or in some cases, perform minor surgical procedures.
Our podiatrists work alongside a compounding chemist so we can recommend treatment for dermatological conditions like plantar warts, eczema or psoriasis. We can also refer your child to a surgeon, if necessary.
If you would like to discuss any concerns about your child’s feet from an experienced, friendly podiatrist, book an appointment with our children’s podiatrist in Sydney today.
The Foot Hub
How we are different
Part of what makes The Foot Hub different is our consultative approach to podiatry and patient treatment. We also bring a modern and investigative method to our podiatry clinics, keeping up to date with cutting-edge foot treatments and research.
We want to give our patients the best possible treatment, with compassion and care, and we always focus on keeping your experience pain-free. We’re here to help, not hurt.
At the Foot Hub we pride ourselves on creating strong relationships with our patients, and making sure that their experience with us is straightforward and comfortable.