Children's Podiatry

A Children's (Podopaediatric) Podiatrist assess' lower limb structure and foot function. This can include concerns relating to impairment, participation and wellbeing linked to foot, ankle, and lower limb health.

Guidance is provided on activity, footwear, exercises, and the need for orthotic/insole management; underpinned by education.

Podiatrists can play a large role in the improvement of function, quality of life in children’s gait (walking) and lower limb conditions, being a valued member of the wider multidisciplinary team.

Keeping Me Well

Our team of Podiatrists from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board have put together a wealth of information on our Keeping Me Well website including guidance and advice on children’s foot, ankle, and lower limb health. Please visit the Children’s Podiatry section.

Please find below useful links from NHS websites and from the College of Podiatry for common musculoskeletal problems, affecting children and young people.

Leg and foot problems in Children
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/leg-and-foot-problems/

Heel Pain
https://www.esht.nhs.uk/leaflet/severs-disease/

Night pain/aching legs
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/growing-pains/

Curly toes
https://www.wsh.nhs.uk/CMS-Documents/Patient-leaflets/TraumaandOrthopaedics/6080-1-Curly-Toes.pdf

Limping child
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/limp-in-children/

Knee pain common conditions liked to knee pain in children
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/knee-pain/

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/juvenile-idiopathic-arthritis/

Flat Foot

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flat-feet/

Bunion (Hallux abducto valgus)

https://cop.org.uk/foot-health/common-foot-problems/bunions/

Walking / Gait variations

In-toeing normal variations
https://videos.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/Childrens-physiotherapy

Toe walking-normal variations of children walking
https://videos.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/Childrens-physiotherapy

Flat feet-Normal variations of Children’s walking https://videos.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/Childrens-physiotherapy

Exercises

If your Podiatrist has issued your child with exercises such as stretching, or balancing, you can watch the videos below with advice on how to perform them effectively and safely.

Simple stretches for your child’s legs
https://videos.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/Childrens-physiotherapy

Calf muscle stretch
https://trakphysio.org.uk/ExercisePlan/Exercise/6-36--Phase-one--Flexibility--Gastrocnemius-stretch

Soleus muscle / Deep calf muscle stretch
https://trakphysio.org.uk/ExercisePlan/Exercise/6-41--Phase-one--Flexibility--Soleus-stretch-(standing)

Hamstring stretch lying
https://trakphysio.org.uk/ExercisePlan/Exercise/6-19--Phase-one--Flexibility--Hamstring-stretch-(lying)

Hamstring stretch standing
https://trakphysio.org.uk/ExercisePlan/Exercise/6-38--Phase-one--Flexibility--Hamstring-stretch-(standing)

Single leg balance
https://trakphysio.org.uk/ExercisePlan/Exercise/2-25--Phase-one--Balance--Single-leg-balance

Double leg heel raise / Single leg balance heel raise
https://trakphysio.org.uk/ExercisePlan/Exercise/20-79--Phase-two--Strength--Single-leg-straight-knee-heel-raise

Skin and Nail Problems common in children and young people

Young people and children can sometimes develop some of these common skin and nail problems.

Verrucae
https://cop.org.uk/foot-health/common-foot-problems/verrucae/

In growing Toenails
https://cop.org.uk/foot-health/common-foot-problems/ingrowing-toenail/

Sweaty feet
https://cop.org.uk/foot-health/common-foot-problems/sweaty-feet/

Athlete’s foot
https://cop.org.uk/foot-health/common-foot-problems/athletes-foot/

Please note as a service we will be updating this information as the Covid 19 pandemic eases.