Podiatry care for
childrens feet
Growing feet deserve expert care.
Children's feet change rapidly as they grow. Early assessment
and treatment can help prevent pain, support healthy development,
and keep your child active, comfortable, and confident.
expert care. Better outcomes
Why it
matters
Children's feet are not simply smaller versions of adult feet. They are constantly growing and developing, with bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments changing throughout childhood. While many foot concerns resolve naturally as children grow, others can affect balance, posture, walking, participation in sport, and overall confidence if left untreated.
Early assessment by an experienced podiatrist can help identify whether a concern is part of normal development or whether treatment or monitoring is needed. Addressing problems at the right time can often prevent discomfort, reduce the risk of future complications, and support healthy movement as your child grows.
Whether your child has persistent foot pain, frequent trips and falls, concerns about the way they walk, or simply feet that don't seem to be developing as expected, professional advice can provide reassurance and, where needed, an effective treatment plan.
Common causes
Growing bones, changing muscles, sports activities and inherited foot posture can all influence how children's feet develop.
Common symptoms
Foot pain, toe walking, flat feet, frequent tripping or an unusual walking pattern may benefit from professional assessment.
Daily impact
Foot problems can affect confidence, participation in sport, school activities and healthy development.
Early treatment
Early assessment provides reassurance where appropriate and allows treatment to begin before problems become more significant.
Growing feet need expert care
Children's feet can grow by up to 20mm every year between the ages of 5 and 12.
During childhood, the bones in the feet are still developing and don't fully mature until the late teenage years. As your child grows, changes in their feet, walking pattern and posture are perfectly normal, but some concerns benefit from early assessment and treatment.
We commonly help children with:
✅ Tight calf muscles
✅ Ingrowing toenails
✅ Leg pain after sport
✅ Toe walking
✅ Heel and shin pain
✅ In-toeing and out-toeing
✅ Flat feet and growing pains
✅ Foot pain during everyday activities
Whether your child is experiencing pain, you've noticed an unusual walking pattern, or you simply want reassurance that their feet are developing normally, our experienced podiatrists are here to help.
Please note: Patients under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout their appointment.
How we help
Assess
Every appointment begins with a thorough assessment of your child's feet, walking pattern and development. We take time to understand their symptoms, activity levels and any concerns you may have.
Treat
Where treatment is needed, we provide evidence-based care tailored to your child. This may include nail care, stretching programmes, advice, padding, orthotic therapy or treatment for painful conditions.
Protect
We help reduce the risk of future problems by offering practical advice on footwear, activity, foot care and exercises to support healthy growth and development.
Review
As children grow quickly, their feet change too. Follow-up appointments allow us to monitor progress, adjust treatment where needed and ensure your child stays active, comfortable and pain free.
Have you got questions about your childs foot management?
Call us, we're here to help:
Questions patients
often ask
How do I know if my child needs to see a podiatrist?
If your child regularly complains of foot, heel or leg pain, walks differently from other children, trips frequently, or avoids physical activity because of discomfort, it is worth arranging an assessment. Many conditions are easily treated when identified early.
Is it normal for children to have flat feet?
Flat feet are common in younger children and often develop naturally as they grow. However, if flat feet are causing pain, affecting walking or limiting activity, a podiatry assessment can determine whether treatment or support is needed.
Can you treat ingrowing toenails in children?
Yes. Ingrowing toenails are one of the most common reasons children visit our clinic. We provide gentle, effective treatment to relieve pain, reduce infection and help prevent the problem from returning.
Does my child need a referral to see a podiatrist?
No. You can book an appointment directly with Sevenoaks Podiatry without a GP referral. We welcome children of all ages, and anyone under 16 should attend with a parent or guardian.
Will my child need orthotics?
Not always. Orthotics are only recommended when they are likely to benefit your child's condition. Following a full assessment, we will discuss all appropriate treatment options, which may include exercises, footwear advice, activity modifications or custom orthoses where suitable.