If you have a young child, it goes without saying that you don’t want them to experience any pain. But sometimes, you might not realize that your child is hurting because they are too young to clearly describe a problem. So, what sort of symptoms might indicate that your child is struggling with foot pain? Based on our experience, here are some tell-tale signs:
- They tell you something hurts. Let’s start with the obvious. If your child comes to you and says one or both of their feet hurt, it is important to take them seriously. Pain or ongoing swelling indicates that your child’s feet should be examined by a physician.
- They stumble a lot or can’t keep up with their friends. Clumsiness and a noticeable slowness compared with their peers may both be signs of foot pain. If your child trips frequently or seems to lag behind, it’s time to see a doctor. Possible issues include in-toeing (which can lead to clumsiness) and flat feet (which can lead to fatigue).
- They hide their feet or avoid activities they normally like. A child who doesn’t like to go to the doctor may try to avoid showing you any problems with their feet. It is important to keep an eye on those little feet, however, and look for things like swelling, growths, calluses, and more. In addition, a child in pain may start avoiding games or activities that result in foot pain. In these cases, heel issues are often responsible.
A Podiatrist Can Discover and Treat the Cause of the Pain
If your child is experiencing foot pain, it is important to get it diagnosed and taken care of as quickly as possible. Everyone wants their children to be able to run around with their friends and have fun, but even more importantly, acting early could prevent a lifetime of foot problems.
The team at InStride Carolina Podiatry Group has the experience necessary to find and fix any foot problem that may be causing your child pain. Contact us today so that we can help your kiddo get back to enjoying playtime.