Contrary to popular belief, children’s feet are not merely a smaller version of an adult’s feet. They actually require more specialized and hands-on care since their feet are still growing and developing.

Furthermore, a child’s foot and ankle still consist of soft bones and muscles, making them vulnerable to foot injuries and other conditions.
Fortunately, simple pediatric foot issues may be outgrown by your child once they hit puberty. But if that’s not the case, then it’s time to seek a pediatric foot and ankle expert to address these problems

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Common Pediatric Foot and Ankle Problems

Pediatric foot and ankle care goes beyond trimming nails and washing the feet regularly. Studies suggest that your child’s feet may also face the same foot problems commonly seen in adults. In fact, health experts stated that they’re more prone to acquire specific conditions or sustain injuries due to the following attributes:
- A child’s developing feet have a wider range of motion and looser joints.
- Underdeveloped muscles and ligaments.
- Uncorrected posture and balance.
- High-level of activity

All these things contribute to the foot and ankle injuries and conditions that your little one can sustain. Some of the most common ones that you should watch out for include the following:

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Flat Feet or Flexible Flat Foot
Normally, the feet should have a slight arch in the middle when placing it on a flat surface. These normal arches usually form during childhood, at about 2 to 3 years of age. However, there are times when these arches don’t develop on the insides of the feet, causing a condition called flat feet. 
Flat foot is a common condition affecting 54% of 3-year-old toddlers and 24% of 6-year-old children. This developmental problem usually goes unnoticed since most cases are painless and asymptomatic. 
It will only become a problem when your child experiences heel pain and leg cramps when walking. Additionally, children with flat feet should limit their physical activity as the condition makes them vulnerable to foot and ankle injuries.

Heel Pain
Heel pain refers to a condition characterized by tenderness or aching feeling at the back of the foot or ankle. It is commonly seen in children participating in rigorous activities, sports training, or competitive games. 
Painful sensations in the heel may be caused by repetitive stress or overuse, which you can easily solve by icing techniques and proper rest. However, heel pain may also be due to an underlying foot and ankle injury or condition, which may turn severe if unaddressed. This includes:
- Sever’s disease
- Achilles tendonitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Bone fracture

So when your child experiences mild to moderate heel pain, it’s best to seek an expert pediatric podiatrist right away. 

Ankle Sprain
A sprained ankle refers to an injury that happens when you turn or twist your ankle in the wrong way. Such movements can force the ligaments to stretch beyond their normal range or, worse, sustain partial or complete tears.
Ankle sprains usually heal after two to three days of home care remedies, such as cold compress and proper rest. However, it’s still important to see a doctor when pain and swelling persist, as this may indicate a more severe injury.

Plantar Warts
Warts are non-cancerous, small skin bumps that grow at the top layer of the skin due to a virus. Plantar warts commonly develop on the areas of the foot that bears the bulk of the weight or take too much pressure. 
Generally, warts are harmless and painless, but they may make walking uncomfortable. If your child experiences pain and other symptoms, then you should seek medical help at once.

Developmental Conditions
Another common pediatric feet conditions are abnormalities or deformities due to an underdeveloped musculoskeletal system. Fortunately, most conditions resolve on their own as the child’s feet mature and continuously develop. Some examples of developmental conditions include:
- In-toeing or pigeon toes - one or both feet turning inward when standing or walking.
- Out-toeing - feet turned outward when walking. 
- Toe walking - a child walking on the balls of the feet without using their heels.
Most children outgrow these conditions. However, if these conditions persist together with pain or other symptoms, then it’s best to consult a podiatric specialist