Heel Pain in Children

Pain in your feet is never normal, but children who play sports who experiencing pain in their heels should be

seen by a podiatrist right away. "Playing through the pain" should never be an option. Untreated heel pain in children can lead to complications walking and complicated therapy.
The highest number of heel pain cases in children spikes in the fall and winter, mostly due to sports. The growing epidemic of childhood obesity is another cause of heel pain in adolescents. Fortunately for children, they are good healers and treatment can be simple if the problem is caught early.
Children undergoing growth spurts, for girls from age 8 to 13 and for boys from age 8 to 15, are most susceptible to heel pain. A strip of soft tissue where new bone is forming to fit adolescent's new feet is called the growth plate of the heel bone. As well, other sources may be overuse, repeated pounding, or excessive force on the Achilles tendon can cause the inflammation and pain.
For teenagers whose growth plates have already finished forming, causes of heel pain may be plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, bursitis, or bone bruises or fractures.
R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) may the the most simple remedy to a child's heel pain, but when the pain continues, an evaluation is necessary. A doctor may prescribe an anti-inflammatory, physical therapy, or other treatments, like orthotics.
If your child is experiencing heel pain, there is no need to bring them to the emergency room. A podiatrist is the only doctor who specializes in the foot and ankle for people of all ages.
As a parent, you should consider switching your child's shoes. Those fashionable Ugg boots, ballet flats, Converse sneakers, and flip-flops may be what your child wants, but they are not right for a growing foot (or most any foot for that matter!). Some guidelines for shoes are:
*Consider an insert to raise the heel, especially in flat-soled cleats.
*Toss shoes that cause pain.
*Wear shoes that are specific to each sport. Each sport has specific needs, skills, and strains on your feet.
Children should not skimp on warm-up or cool-down exercises when participating in sports. Stretching is one of the best ways to rid a patient of heel pain.
If your child is limping, complaining, walking on toes, and experiencing pain on the morning after a game, you should make an appointment to see a podiatrist.
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Podiatrists in CT
Children's Foot Doctor in CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook and follow our tweets on Twitter. 

Related articles

• Heel Pain in Children

  ---