Children are not the best founts of important information. They can spend what feels like hours telling you about a new show they like, a new game they’ve come up with, or how many Pokemon they’ve caught. When it comes to something being the matter, however, they are not always as forthcoming. Sometimes it takes a bit of observation to determine whether your child is hurting and when you should take them to see a podiatrist about it.
Foot pain can develop in children for several different reasons. In addition to an acute injury, conditions such as flat feet or Sever’s disease might cause pain to develop over time.
Some signs of pain can be obvious. A change in gait, such as limping or starting to walk on the toes, can be indicative of a problem. However, it should also be noted that some toddlers will walk on their toes or show other abnormal methods of walking while developing and that this will not be due to pain at all.
In older children, signs of pain can take the form of a reluctance to participate in activities a son or daughter once enjoyed. Problems such as Sever’s disease can cause pain to flare up during sports and exercise, only to recede with rest. It can be enough to add some hesitancy to workouts while wanting to keep things secret.
It is certainly possible other issues—both physical and emotional—might be causing a change in your child’s routine. The best way to find out, of course, is to have a good, gentle face-to-face. If you do suspect foot or ankle trouble, call the doctors at Martin Foot and Ankle at (717) 757-3537. Our offices in Hanover, Lancaster, Lititz, and York are here for all your children’s foot care needs.
