CHILDREN'S PODIATRIST IN ALBANY CREEK
IS YOUR CHILD COMPLAINING OF PAIN IN THEIR LEGS AND FEET?
At My Family Podiatry, we see children and teenagers with a wide range of lower limb concerns, from heel pain and flat feet through to sports injuries, growing pains and gait concerns. We help families across Albany Creek, Eatons Hill, Bridgeman Downs, Strathpine and across North Brisbane work out what is actually going on and what needs to happen next.
When Should a Child See a Podiatrist?
Children do not need to be in severe pain before they are assessed.
It is worth booking if your child is:
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complaining of foot, heel or leg pain
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limping or changing the way they walk
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avoiding sport or activity
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tripping or falling more than expected
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struggling in certain shoes
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getting recurring pain after sport
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walking differently from other children their age
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dealing with ongoing ingrown toenails or nail pain
Sometimes parents are told it is “just growing pains”. Sometimes that is partly true. But often there is more we can do to make a child more comfortable and keep them active.
Common Problems We See In Children
Heel Pain
Heel pain is one of the most common reasons children come to see us, especially during busy sporting periods. It often shows up in active kids involved in football, soccer, basketball, netball or running.
There are a few different potential causes including Sever's Disease, Achilles issues, or even something as simple as pain from shoes and activity.
Flat Feet
Often times, flat feet in a growing child is nothing to worry about. Up until the age of 10, the arch is still developing as the bones grow. Other times, flat feet can lead to pain, tripping or fatigue and should be treated.
At My Family Podiatry we look at your child, take a thorough history and provide you with all the information needed to make a decision on treating your child's flat feet, or whether we monitor as they continue to grow.
Foot and Leg Pain With Sport
As children grow, train and play more sport, they can develop overload injuries through the feet, ankles, shins and knees. These problems are often made worse by training load, footwear, growth and lower limb mechanics.
Growing Pains and General Leg Pain
Not every child with aching legs has a serious issue, but repeated pain should still be assessed properly, especially if it is affecting sleep, sport or day-to-day comfort.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are very common in growing children and teenagers. This could be due to wearing shoes that aren't quite fitting right, picking at their nails or due to teenagers often having sweaty feet.
We are experienced with treating children with ingrown nails and will do our best to make the experience as simple as possible for them.
What Happens At a Children’s Podiatry Appointment?
The goal is to make the assessment practical, clear and age-appropriate.
Depending on the reason for the visit, we may assess:
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where the pain is and when it occurs
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walking and running pattern
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foot posture and lower limb alignment
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joint range of motion
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muscle strength and control
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footwear
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training and activity load
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any patterns that may be contributing to pain
We then explain what we are seeing in simple terms and talk through what treatment, monitoring or changes may help.
What Treatment Might Involve
Treatment depends on the child and the problem.
This may include:
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footwear advice
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activity modification
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strengthening or mobility exercises
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support for sports-related overload
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orthotic assessment where appropriate
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treatment for ingrown toenails or nail issues
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advice for parents on what to monitor over time
Not every child needs ongoing treatment. Sometimes families simply want reassurance, guidance and a clear plan.
Do All Children With Flat Feet or Pain Need Orthotics?
No.
Some children do very well without orthotics. Others benefit from extra support, especially if they have pain, poor load tolerance or ongoing symptoms that are not settling.
The decision should be based on the child’s symptoms, function and assessment findings, not just how the feet look.
Why Families Choose My Family Podiatry
We understand that parents usually want two things: a clear explanation and a practical plan.
At My Family Podiatry, we focus on:
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working out what is actually causing the problem
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explaining things clearly
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helping children stay active where possible
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giving families realistic advice on what needs treatment and what just needs monitoring
We see children and teenagers from Albany Creek, Eatons Hill, Bridgeman Downs, Warner, Aspley and surrounding North Brisbane suburbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is foot pain in children normal?
A: Not always. Some mild aches can happen during growth and sport, but recurring pain, limping or avoidance of activity should be assessed.
Q: Are flat feet a problem in children?
A: Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Flat feet only need treatment when they are causing pain, fatigue or functional issues.
Q: What causes heel pain in children?
A: Heel pain in children is often linked to growth, sport and repeated load. It is very common in active kids.
Q: Should my child stop sport if they have foot pain?
A: Not always completely, but activity may need to be modified depending on the problem. The goal is usually to keep them active in a sensible way.
Q: Do children ever need orthotics?
A: Yes, in some cases. But not every child with flat feet or pain needs them. It depends on the individual assessment.
Q: When should I book my child in?
A: If the pain is recurring, affecting sport, changing how they walk, or causing enough concern that you feel something is not right, it is worth booking.
NEED SOME MORE INFORMATION?
It’s not always easy knowing who to contact about your foot issues. All you know is that you want relief from your pain.
Podiatrists are trained to assess and treat injuries and issues with the feet, ankles and legs. If you enter your details into the form, one of our team will contact you to discuss your current problem and how My Family Podiatry may be able to help you.
Alternatively, call us on (07) 3088 6116 to speak with one of our team.