Foot problems in children
Children's feet are still developing. Many abnormalities resolve on their own, but active, growing children sometimes have heel, knee or lower-leg pain. With handmade children's insoles we take growth, complaints and your child's sport into account.
Symptoms and causes
- Heel pain (Sever's disease): pain at the back of the heel in active children aged about 8–14
- Osgood-Schlatter: a painful bump just below the knee
- Growing pains: aching legs, often in the evening
- Flat feet: a collapsed arch – usually without complaints
- Köhler I: pain on the inside of the midfoot in young children
How handmade insoles help
Children's insoles with a heel raise and cushioning unload the growth plate in Sever's disease; research showed a heel raise gives the fastest short-term relief. For Osgood-Schlatter and growing pains, better foot posture helps spread the load. Flat feet without complaints usually need no treatment. Children's insoles cost € 220 including consultation and follow-up.
What you can do – and when to see a doctor
Let your child keep moving, but temporarily adjust the amount of sport when there is pain. Well-fitting shoes with a firm heel counter help.
If the pain does not improve after a few weeks, if there is swelling, redness or loss of sensation, or if you have diabetes or rheumatism, also have the complaint assessed by your GP.
Scientific evidence
- In Sever's disease, heel raises gave the fastest short-term relief; after 12 months all treatments were equally effective. James AM, Williams CM, Haines TP Effectiveness of footwear and foot orthoses for calcaneal apophysitis: a 12-month factorial randomised trial. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50:1268-1275. PubMed 26917682
Trouble with your feet? We are happy to help.
First consultation usually within 1 week, in Oldenzaal, Denekamp or Losser.