All children grow and develop differently. Sometimes in the early years gait observations can include in toeing and out toeing which in itself is a normal part of the natural ontogeny and development of the bones and muscles.
However, sometimes symptoms can occur such as tripping up, leg pain (growing pains though growing should not be painful), bouncy gait (walking on the forefoot), slouching, knocked knees (genu valgum) or bowed legs (genu varum).
Anything that is causing concern about a childs growth and development or excessive wearing down of shoes or tripping up or pain should always be checked out.
Sometimes it may be necessary to refer a child for further investigations either to a paediatrician or other specialist.
Some childrens foot conditions include:-
- Tight muscle groups
- Hip dysplasia
- Osgood Schlatters disease (knee pain)
- Severs disease/calcaneal apophysitis (heel/calcaneal pain)
- Metatarsus adductus/metatarsus varus
- In-toeing
- Out-toeing
- Abnormal gait pattern – caused through cerebral palsy, autism, Down’s Syndrome
- Excessive wearing down of shoes
- Ingrowing toenails (onychocryptosis)
- Verrucae/Warts