Children’s Podiatrist Sunshine Coast

On This Page;

  1. Benefits Of Seeing Experienced Children’s Podiatrist
  2. Common Foot Issues In Children
  3. The Importance Of Children’s Podiatry
  4. What Is Children’s Podiatry?
  5. When To Take Your Child To See A Podiatrist
  6. What To Expect At Your Child’s First Appointment
  7. Causes Of Foot And Lower Limb Problems In Children
  8. Contact Sunshine Coast Orthotics & Podiatry
  9. Frequently Asked Questions

Many people take their feet for granted, with the majority of us not paying them any attention until we begin to encounter foot problems. Even then, we delay seeking help from podiatrists.

Healthy feet usually have 26 bones; during childhood, all of these bones start to harden. Therefore, it’s vital that your child’s developing feet are well taken care of. Here at Sunshine Coast Orthotics & Podiatry, our podiatrists can help ensure your child’s feet remain in optimal health and condition.

Give us a call on (07) 5456 2562 or book online.

BENEFITS OF SEEING EXPERIENCED CHILDREN’S PODIATRIST

  • Expert podiatrists can help prevent foot problems in the future.
  • Specialist diagnoses and tailored treatment and rehabilitation plans.
  • You won’t need to go through referrals.
  • Podiatrists have intensive knowledge regarding the external and internal make-up of all lower limbs.
  • Catered advice for your child’s long-term foot health.
  • Help with healing foot injuries, leg pain, bone fractures, blisters, athlete’s foot, bunions, and more.
Childs feet with smiley faces

COMMON FOOT ISSUES IN CHILDREN

Tip Toe Walking

  • If your child is toe walking, at Sunshine Coast Orthotics & Podiatry we’ll ask you about their full medical history during your appointment.
  • We’ll then take a look at your child whilst they walk to see their gait, their range of motion, and their lower limb muscle and joint quality.
  • This assessment is painless and is made to be very comfortable for your child.

Foot Pain

  • If your child is experiencing any discomfort in their foot or the surrounding area, they should visit us at Sunshine Coast Orthotics & Podiatry.
  • In children, foot pain has numerous causes such as Severs Disease, Achilles Tendonitis, or heel pain.
  • Once we’ve established the cause, we’ll work on an effective treatment plan.

Fallen Arches

  • Fallen arches are when the inside arch of your child’s foot is flat.
  • While this is normal in babies and toddlers, the arch should develop from ages five to six. If this does not begin to happen, bring your child to SCOAP.
  • Fallen arches can cause your child pain or impact the way they walk. So, it’s very important that a thorough examination is carried out as soon as possible.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHILDREN’S PODIATRY

Children’s feet are constantly growing and changing, which can sometimes lead to problems. For example, children may develop heel pain, flat feet, or toe deformities. If left untreated, these problems can cause long-term difficulty with walking and other activities.

That’s why it’s important to consult a podiatrist if you notice any problems with your child’s feet. At Sunshine Coast Orthotics & Podiatry, our team of expert children’s podiatrists are here to help. We offer a wide range of services, including custom orthotics, gait analysis, and shoe recommendations. We also provide advice on how to keep your child’s feet healthy as they grow.

With our help, your child will be able to enjoy a lifetime of pain-free walking.

Child Flatfoot Treatment

WHAT IS CHILDREN’S PODIATRY?

Children’s podiatry is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle problems in infants, children and adolescents. The most common problems seen by children’s podiatrists include heel pain, flat feet, in-toeing and out-toeing.

Podiatrists use a variety of treatment modalities, including orthotics (custom-made insoles), footwear advice, stretches and exercises, to treat these conditions. In most cases, the goal of treatment is to relieve pain and improve function.

In some cases, however, surgery may be required to correct a deformity. Children’s podiatrists are experts in the care of growing feet and can provide guidance on everything from shoes to orthotic devices. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, consider making an appointment with a children’s podiatrist.

WHEN TO TAKE YOUR CHILD TO SEE A PODIATRIST

If your child is experiencing any pain or discomfort in their feet or ankles, it is advisable to make an appointment with a children’s podiatrist. Additionally, if you’re concerned about your child’s foot or lower limb development, or they have been diagnosed with a condition that may affect their feet (such as cerebral palsy or spina bifida), it’s also worth seeking the advice of a children’s podiatrist.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR CHILD’S FIRST APPOINTMENT

At your child’s first appointment, the podiatrist will take a full medical history and conduct a thorough examination of your child’s feet and lower limbs. They may also order X-rays or other tests if they suspect a problem. After assessing your child’s condition, the podiatrist will explain their findings and recommendation for treatment.

This may involve custom orthotics, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, or surgery. In most cases, the earlier a problem is detected and treated, the better the outcome. With proper care, many childhood foot and ankle problems can be resolved without long-term consequences.

Close-up Little Girls Bare Feet

CAUSES OF FOOT AND LOWER LIMB PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN

There are many different causes of foot and lower limb problems in children. Common causes include genetic factors, birth defects, trauma, and overuse injuries. Children with certain medical conditions, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, are also at higher risk for developing foot and lower limb problems.

CONTACT SUNSHINE COAST ORTHOTICS & PODIATRY

Sunshine Coast Orthotics & Podiatry is a specialist clinic that offers children’s podiatry services. Our team of experienced podiatrists are experts in diagnosing and treating all types of foot, ankle and lower leg problems. We offer a range of treatments, including orthotic devices, exercises and surgery. Contact us today to book an appointment.

SCOAP treat a wide range of paediatric foot issues, from developmental problems like knock knees to easily treatable problems like recovering foot fractures, bunions, ingrown toenails and generalised foot pain.

If your child is experiencing any foot or lower body discomfort, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our specialist team at Sunshine Coast Orthotics & Podiatry to schedule an appointment right away specially for foot injuries.

Feet Of A Little Boy at podiatrist

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do you have questions about your children’s feet and foot health? Here are some commonly asked questions about paediatric podiatry.

Why is it important for my child to see a children’s podiatrist?
  • Ensuring your child has good foot health is important for many reasons.
  • Many adult foot problems are the result of untreated childhood foot issues and treating or preventing these at an early age will put your child on “good footing” later in life.
  • Whether your child has started to develop foot problems, or you just to make sure their feet are healthy, it is a good idea to visit a podiatrist from the time your child begins to walk.
What are some common foot problems in children?
  • Children can develop a number of foot problems, whether as a result of inherited genetic reasons or due to their development or environmental influences.
  • Common childhood foot ailments include foot, ankle and heel pain, flat feet, bunions, ingrown toenails, warts, pigeon-toes, toe walking, knock knees and bow legs. You can schedule a general podiatric assessment to verify the problems of your child and get the best treatment for their foot problems .
What are flat feet in children and how are they treated?
  • Flat feet, often known as “fallen arches”, is characterised by the underdevelopment of the foot arch and the sole being in contact with the floor when it should be naturally arched.
  • This is usually obvious in a child by the time they are 4 or 5. This can be naturally occurring or due to other reasons like hyper-mobility or leg tightness.
  • If your child’s flat feet cause them pain or affect their movements, this can be treated through treatments like orthotics. Please contact us to schedule your child for our Paromed laser foot scanner and get comfortable and custom fitted orthotics.
Why is my child walking on their tiptoes? Can this be fixed?
  • As children develop, they may walk on their toes or heels (known as “toe walking”), but usually outgrow this. If this continues, a podiatrist should be seen to rule out any possible developmental issues and discuss a treatment plan if needed.
Are foot warts common in children?
  • Warts are common in children, often developing on the feet in the form of plantar warts. Warts are usually harmless but can cause pain when they develop on the sole of the foot.
  • If pain is occurring, we recommend a visit to a podiatry expert & discuss possible treatment options like wart removal and education on wart treatment.
I think my child is pigeon-toed. Should this be treated?
  • Many children are pigeon-toed, meaning their toes turn inwards when they walk or run. Most children grow out of this condition, but it is important to visit a podiatrist in Sunshine Coast to ensure this isn’t causing other issues or caused by something else.
My family has hereditary foot problems. Will my child inherit these?
  • If foot issues run in your family, it is important to take your child to a podiatrist at a young age to ensure their feet are developing the way they should and to discuss treatment options if they aren’t.