A child’s foot is not a small adult foot: it is growing, and the criteria for assessing it depend on age. Flat feet at three and flat feet at eight do not mean the same thing, and walking with the toes turned inwards is common at certain ages and stops being so later on. That is why the first question at a children’s appointment is usually how old the child is and how long it has been noticed.
The most common reasons for coming are the shape of the foot or the legs, a way of walking that draws attention, complaints of pain or tiredness when walking, frequent tripping, very uneven wear of shoes, or ingrown nails and warts, which are very common in childhood. Often the conclusion is that nothing needs doing other than a review in a while — and that is a result too.
If you are wondering how your child will feel about the visit, taking your child to the podiatrist explains how their trust is looked after at the clinic and how to prepare for the first appointment.
Common reasons for an appointment
- The shape of the foot or the legs, when it worries the family.
- Pain or tiredness when walking, or a child who avoids walking or running.
- Frequent tripping or a way of walking that draws attention.
- Very uneven wear of footwear.
- Ingrown nails and plantar warts, common at these ages.
Worried about the way your child walks, or does he or she complain of foot pain?
Book an appointmentFrequently asked questions
- At what age is a first check-up advisable?
- There is no set age for a routine check-up, but there are three moments when a consultation adds something: when the child starts walking confidently and something at home draws attention, when they enter a rapid growth phase or start playing sport regularly, and whenever they complain of pain. That last one waits for no age. In many appointments the conclusion is that everything is developing as it should and it is enough to look again later, and that is a useful result too: it lets you stop worrying for a reason.
- How do I choose shoes for a child who grows so fast?
- By measuring the foot rather than trusting the size, because sizes vary between brands. Check it with the child standing and weight spread, which is when the foot really lengthens: there should be a margin in front of the longest toe — not always the big one — and room for the toes to move sideways. The heel must be held and the sole should bend where the foot bends, not in the middle. And buying "a size up so it lasts" is one of the things that causes most trouble: the foot slides inside, the toes grip to hold it, and that is where the rubbing starts.
- My child walks on tiptoe or with the feet turned in. Should I worry?
- It depends mainly on age and on whether it is constant or only sometimes. Occasional tiptoe walking is common in the early years and usually disappears; doing it constantly, or starting to do it when they did not before, is worth looking into. The same goes for feet turning inwards: at some ages it is usual and at others it is not. What helps is bringing concrete details: since when, whether it is both feet, whether they walk normally barefoot at home, and whether they complain of anything. If there is also pain, a limp, or the child avoids running, that is assessed without waiting.
