Children's Feet - Growing Pains

Parenting is no easy task.  It is especially hard if your child is in pain and you don't know what to do about it.  This blog is designed to help parents understand how to provide proper footcare to your children.

When a child complains of their feet hurting the parents usually take the child to the pediatrician. Usually they will hear "they will out grow it" The most common pain is if a child wakes up in the middle of the night with a leg cramp. This is called "growing pains." They should not be a concern if they occur infrequently. When it does occur just have the child stand and "walk it off." If it is a nightly occurrence then you should make an appointment with the pediatrician. 

The foot, ankle, and leg pains that young children report are associated with growth plate centers.

Thin, flat, crescent - shaped growth centers separate bone and cartilage in younger children. As a child nears puberty, these growth centers close and ossify, the process by which cartilage becomes bone.

As a child becomes more active in sports or dance, a child may begin to complain of pain or parents may notice limping. Severe pain behind the heel is the most common complain and it stems from overusing the foot and ankle in intense training.

Growth center pain is even more common among children who have flat feet, toe-in or have other foot problems. An orthotic, a splint or soft cast is usually enough to properly position and strengthen feet and ankles, and prevent future pain and injury.

If treatment is pursued early, pain only lasts a short period of time and surgery is rarely needed.  However, if growth center injury  is left untreated it can require long term treatment.  It can even result in fracture or dislocation of the growth plate, chronic pain, muscle imbalance, reduced range of motion, or joint deformity. In extreme cases, a total joint replacement may be necessary.

It is important to not allow your child to play through pain.  Schedule an appointment with us if your child is experiencing chronic growing pains.  Call us at 419-423-1888 or schedule an appointment online.