If he notes the pain is in his heel, he may have Sever’s disease. Sever’s disease, also known as “painful heel” or pediatric heel, is caused by disturbances in the growth plate of your child’s foot and is common in kids who are active in sports, especially during early puberty. If he complains of pain on his entire foot, as well as in his ankles and calf muscles, he may suffer from flat footedness.
Limping does not necessarily indicate an injury in the foot. A small child may limp due to pain from an injury anywhere in the hips, leg, or foot.
Athlete’s foot is an unpleasant skin condition that will only get worse if it is not properly treated. You should bring your child to the doctor. She will then prescribe over the counter powders, ointments, and medicated creams.
Often, ill fitting shoes will contribute to surface pains like blisters and raw skin on your child’s feet. However, if your child feeling pain in the muscles and joints of his feet, there is likely a deeper issue with his feet.
To check if your child might be suffering from an ingrown toenail on his foot, examine his big toes to see if there is any redness or rawness around the skin of his big toe nail as well as areas where the nail is pinched against the skin. There are home remedies you can try to relieve pain caused by ingrown toenails. However, the best course of action is to take your child to your family doctor so he can treat the ingrown nail. You should also check for plantar warts, which are common in children and can cause pain when walking on them. A pediatrician, podiatrist, or dermatologist can treat warts.
Pediatric heel pain is caused by your child’s growing feet, as the bones in your child’s foot may be growing faster than his tendons and his heel bone (medically called the calcaneus). This gap between your child’s growth plate can lead to a weak area at the back of your child’s heel and pulling the tendon in your child’s feet. This then puts more stress on the growth plate in your child’s feet and can lead to heel pain. If you suspect your child might be experiencing pediatric heel pain, it’s important you take him to your family doctor, who can recommend a podiatrist or orthopedic doctor. The doctor can examine your child’s feet and present treatment options. You may be referred to a foot and ankle surgeon for heel pain problems. Catching pediatric heel pain early is the best way to prevent the development of lifelong foot pain and foot issues.
Tenderness, cramping, and pain in the foot, the leg or the knee. Awkwardness or limping when walking. A hard time finding shoes that feel comfortable. Little energy to participate in a physical activity that requires running, jogging, or sprinting.
If your child complains about foot pain when wearing the same pair of shoes, discard the pair of shoes and replace them with better fitting shoes. Make sure your child wears proper running shoes when playing sports or spending time outdoors so their feet are well supported during any strenuous activity.
Allow your child to rest their feet and legs by avoiding any physical or strenuous activity. Apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel, or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel, to their feet by tucking it under their heels. Keep the ice on for 20 minute intervals, and wait 10 minutes between each interval before placing the ice back on their feet. Wrap a compression bandage, such as an ACE bandage, around both of your child’s feet to keep the swelling down. The bandage should be snug but should not cut off the blood circulation to your child’s feet. Elevate your child’s feet by placing them on a pillow or several blankets. This will help to reduce any pain or swelling. Use an over-the-counter pain medication if needed. Pediatricians commonly recommend ibuprofen for temporary pain relief.
A podiatrist will help to identify the cause of your child’s foot pain and is specially trained to treat the growth plates, bones, and soft issues in a developing child’s feet.
You should also switch your child’s socks to absorbent socks that wick away moisture from his feet. This will prevent the growth of new fungi that can cause athlete’s foot. He should avoid wearing shoes made out of non breathable material like vinyl, as this can lead to excess moisture on his feet and the potential growth of fungi. [10] X Research source
The podiatrist may also ask you if anyone in your family is flat footed and if there is a history of neurological or muscular disease in your family. The podiatrist may get x-rays of your child’s feet to get a closer look at the bone structure.
Resting and avoiding activities that cause pain until the symptoms go away. Over-the-counter pain medication and anti inflammatory medication. Stretching exercises to extend the heel cords on both feet. [13] X Research source Over-the-counter cushioned arch supports for your child’s shoes. Custom made orthotics for your child’s shoes to balance out their feet and support any sensitive areas on their feet. Physical therapy to strengthen any weak areas in your child’s feet.
Most foot surgeons recommend the child be at least eight years old to undergo surgery. The foot surgery for flat footedness will require the surgeon to lengthen your child’s Achilles tendon. The surgeon will also lengthen your child’s heel bone using a bone graft that is inserted on the outer side and edge of the middle of the foot in a procedure called calcaneal lengthening osteotomy.
