GROWING PAINS

As children begin to grow taller aches and pains can occur, especially if the child is particularly active. While growing pains are typically resolved at the end of the growth spurt, adequate management can help alleviate symptoms until their bodies catch up with themselves.

INGROWN TOENAILS

Ingrown toenails can present in children and in babies due to trauma. This can be from stubbing their toes, kicking a footy or even wearing tight shoes. Clearing and removing an ingrown toenail can be uncomfortable, but necessary to relieve the child of the pain.

PIGEON TOES / IN-TOEING

Pigeon toes or In-toeing is when the feet turn inwards when walking. Children who in-toe also tend to report clumsiness, frequently tripping and frustration in keeping up with children of the same age. In-toeing can be caused by various reasons: abducted foot type, tibial torsion (rotation at the leg bone) or femoral torsion (rotation at the thigh bone).

FLAT FEET

Flat feet occur when the foot arch makes contact with the ground when standing. Most children will develop an arch when standing by around 6 years however, 1 in 5 children don’t develop an arch. Although most flat feet do not cause problems through to adulthood, facilitating the child with the appropriate management can prevent such problems from occurring as they get older.

TOE WALKING

Walking on the toes or the balls of the feet, also known as toe walking, is fairly common in children who are just beginning to walk. Although normal for children under the age of 3, persistent toe walking can allude to other paediatric concerns, such as tight calf muscles, decreased ankle movement, stiffness, tightening, and pain in their Achilles tendon.