Will Children Grow Out Of Their Foot Pain?

Many people are surprised that I see a large number of kids in my podiatry clinic. In fact, kids have a fair amount of foot problems. Ingrown toenails and plantar warts are the most common reason that kids find their way into the office. The treatment for these conditions is generally straightforward.

I also see many children who suffer from foot pain or problems. Kids having foot pain? Absolutely! The truth is many more children suffer needlessly from foot pain but are told by other doctors that they'll grow out of it or assumed by their parents to be growing pains. The discomfort can return again and again and eventually become constant. You'll find these children not wanting to participate in sports or recess in school. They'll turn to their Nintendo's and TV's and stay more sedentary. As they gain weight, which is a tremendous problem in children, they will suffer even more foot pain. No child has to suffer this way.

Put simply: Kids will NOT grow out of pain in their feet. The same goes for ankle pain and pain in the knee. It shouldn't be there and you should bring your child to a podiatrist for evaluation if this is the case.

I clearly recall a mother who brought her twelve year old preteen to the office on the recommendation of her astute pediatrician who notices a potential problem with her foot and ankle motion. I questioned her daughter if she had any foot pain. The answer was that she did not. I then asked about ankle, knee, hip, or back pain. Her mother chimed in: Well that's just her normal knee pain. I looked at her and explained that there is no such thing as "normal" pain in a 12 year old.

Most foot pain experienced by children is caused by foot function. The foot does not function as properly as it should, causing increased pressure to occur on some areas of the foot. This is common in the arch, inside of the foot and ankle, and the heel. Therapy is a combination of anti-inflammatory medication to treat the acute problem and the use of a custom orthotic to correct the foot function that has prevented the problem from going away on its own in the first place. It is very rare to consider surgical intervention in a child and is a last resort, so that concern should not be a reason to come to the clinic.

You owe it to your child to address the cause of his foot or ankle pain so he can return to being a child. No child should have pain in her foot. If she does, contact your local podiatrist to schedule an appointment.


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Dr. Andrew Schneider is a foot doctor in Houston, TX. He is dedicated to maintaining the health and safety of the feet of his patients and educating the public on foot health. For more information about foot health and solving foot pain, including informative videos, and to order Dr. Schneider's FREE book, visit his website.