Podiatry for Children
Children's Podiatry
There are a range of problems which can affect children’s lower limbs and feet. Podiatrists are a key health professional to aid your child back to walking, running and playing pain-free as they should. Podiatrists help children recover from age-specific and sporting conditions such as calcaneal apophysitis (sever’s disease), Osgood-Schlatters syndrome, Sinding-Larsen Johansson syndrome, hypermobility, flat feet and ankle instability.
Seeing a podiatrist for kids podiatry care is an important part of keeping your child healthy as they develop. Podiatrists are lower limb experts who are trained in detecting and solving the foot and lower limb problems which can occur as their feet and legs grow.
Why do children need podiatry?
For children, staying active and mobile is so important. Meeting gait milestones allows children to get around at home, in the classroom and in social situations. If children are not able to move and walk normally it can lead to a child falling behind academically or socially. A healthy gait and lower limbs also means your child can participate and enjoy sports and other extracurricular activities, without pain holding them back.
Children all develop differently, however there are a range of normal milestones when it comes to lower limb development. A child’s foot, ankle, leg and knee bones are all still growing, and as a result Children’s gait and comfort levels can change rapidly.
Some children experience ‘growing pains’ which are mild and unobtrusive, however often kids can be in significant pain as they grow. On top of this, conditions such as hypermobility and flat feet start to affect children more and more as they develop into their adult gait patterns. Catching podiatry problems early and young is therefore so crucial to a child’s healthy development.
What is pediatric podiatry?
Pediatric podiatry refers to the diagnosis and treatment of kid-specific foot and lower limb complaints. Podiatrists often see children for dermatological and nail conditions such as plantar warts, ingrown nails and foot rashes. Using mild, child-friendly techniques podiatrists can comfortably treat these common conditions.
Podiatrists also provide comprehensive assessment and management of kids sports injuries and developmental concerns. A Pediatric podiatry appointment will involve a thorough investigation of the child’s development compared to age-matched normals and diagnosis of growth-related foot, leg, knee and hip pain. A podiatrist will guide you on pain recovery, selecting the best footwear for your child, and if necessary improve their posture and gait with custom orthotics.
What are the common concerns requiring podiatry for children?
Children should not be in pain as they grow, so any reported pain or discomfort should be taken seriously and addressed with podiatry for children. Common reasons to bring a child to see a podiatrist are:
- Hip & Leg pain
- Knee Pain (Osgood-Schlatters, Sinding-Larsen Johansson)
- Heel pain (Sever’s disease/Calcaneal Apophysitis)
- Flat Feet / Foot pain
- Gait concerns e.g. In-toeing
- Hypermobility and/or frequent ankle sprains
- Unstable or clumsy gait
- Specific developmental conditions such as Cerebral Palsy or Muscular Dystrophy
- Ingrown nails or other nail concerns
- Foot injuries or fractures
What podiatry solutions for children do you provide?
A podiatrist will provide safe, comfortable and age-appropriate care. Children’s podiatry treatment includes:
- Safe removal of warts, ingrown nails and other skin and nail pathologies
- Ingrown toenail surgery for children
- SWIFT wart treatment
- Children’s footwear assessment, adjustment and recommendations
- Orthotic therapy to address gait and balance concerns
- Treatment of kid’s heel, leg, knee and hip pain
- Stretching and strengthening programs
- Ankle-Foot Orthoses and Richie Braces for hypermobility and muscular imbalance
- NDIS Podiatry for Children
Do you offer bulk-billed podiatry for children?
We understand the cost of podiatry care can be prohibitive and this is why we offer multiple payment options at all Advance Foot Clinic locations including private health, NDIS and Medicare. Medicare can help subsidise the cost of appointments for eligible patients, including your child. With a valid doctor’s referral (Enhanced Primary Care Plan), we also offer bulk billed appointments weekdays between 9am and 3.30pm for the children of people with a valid concession card.
(Please note that Medicare rebates only apply to appointment costs and not the cost of any consumables or treatments such as Custom Orthotics).
Are you a registered NDIS provider?
Absolutely! Our podiatrists assist many children who are on the NDIS. Advance Foot Clinic Podiatry is a NDIS Registered Provider. Advance Foot Clinic is able to provide services through NDIS for all types of NDIS participants – independently managed, plan managed, and agency (NDIA) managed.
To access NDIS funding for podiatry, there must be a link between the listed disability and podiatry services. Podiatry funding must also be included in the NDIS plan. We will arrange a service agreement which sets out the podiatry funding required at your child’s first appointment.
Some of the reasons your child might see Advance Foot Clinic for a Children’s NDIS podiatry appointment include:
- Custom orthotics or braces to assist with ambulation and mobility
- Help accessing suitable orthopaedic footwear or custom footwear
- Care of ingrown toenails, warts or other dermatological problems
- Hypermobility or flat feet resulting
- Hypotonia or hypertonia
- Toe-walking as a result of sensory processing difficulties
- Foot pain or instability which interferes with independence in activities of daily living
What can I expect at my child's initial podiatry appointment?
When you first bring your child in for a podiatry appointment at Advance Foot Clinic the podiatrist will focus on getting your child comfortable in the clinic and understanding the presenting problem to be addressed. This might be for foot pain/gait concerns, or something simple like an ingrown toenail or wart.
The podiatrist will review any medical history and ask questions to develop a clear diagnosis of the presenting issue. A thorough treatment plan will be developed to meet you and your child’s goals. Treatments provided by the podiatrist might include things like foot strapping, footwear modifications and formorthotics.
What do I need to bring to my child’s first podiatry for children appointment?
At your child’s initial appointment it is very helpful to bring a copy of any medical history including scan results and paediatrician reports if applicable. The podiatrist will also want to look at your child’s regular footwear, including casual, school and sports shoes. Bringing footwear and any existing shoe inserts will help the podiatrist assess potential causes for your child’s pain.
Take the first step towards happy and healthy feet.
Ready to give your feet the care they deserve? Book your appointment online or call us and experience our expert podiatry services at any of our six clinic locations.