hToddler foot pain can be a troublesome issue to deal with when it comes to parenting. Majority of the toddler foot pain cases are mild and go away on their own. But some of them, if gone undiagnosed, can cause genuine problems.
Your child may often come to with a complaint of aching heel or a sore foot. Considering the sensitivity of the issue, Doctors recommend that you shouldn’t neglect foot problems.
So if you’re worried about your child’s foot pain, here are the causes and treatments to toddler foot pain.
Normal foot pain
Toddlers are quite active at their age. The word ‘toddler’ itself comes from the word ‘tod’ that means ‘to walk’. It is a time of social and physical development.
Overuse may cause temporary aches or pains in the foot. Sports and exercise can cause tenderness in the heel or the lower side of the foot. Resting up for a while or having a good night’s sleep fix toddler foot pain.
Worrying signs
Ignoring foot pain can cause chronic pain or illnesses. You must be aware of when to get your child to a proper doctor check up. Here are a few signs that may imply that the toddler foot pain is harmful:
Lagging behind in physical activity
If your child isn’t as active as they should be at this age, it is a worrying sign. Constant fatigue shows that there is something wrong with the functioning of your toddler’s feet.
Resistance to showing their feet
Toddlers may often fear a medical examination and not let themselves show you their feet. Hence, it is recommended that you keep an eye on any developing symptoms, preferably around the toe nails.
Constant tripping
It isn’t normal for toddlers to be constantly falling and tripping while walking. This sign may speak for balance problems or neuromuscular illnesses.
Constant pain
If toddler foot pain persists for more than a few days, it should be checked as soon as possible to get the treatment for the appropriate illness as soon as possible.
Sever’s disease | Calcaneal Apophysitis
Introduction
Calcaneal Apohysitis is the most common origin of foot pain among toddlers. It is related to the frequent micro trauma during exercise or strenuous activity. It causes the Achilles tendon to stretch on the growing heel bone, eventually causing toddler foot pain.
Symptoms
Signs of Sever’s disease include:
- Pain in the back of the heel
- Tenderness in the foot
- Warmth
- Swelling
Causes
Causes of Sever’s disease include:
- Rampart running
- Constant jumping
Treatment
If you think that your child may have Sever’s disease, you should take them to a doctor as soon as possible. Remedies include:
- Icing
- Stretching of the calf muscles
- Pain relievers
- Cushioned heel lifts
- Refraining from physical activity
The illness usually fades away within a couple of weeks.
Achilles Tendinitis
Introduction
This illness often increases in toddlers after an immediate increase in activity. It is related to the Achilles tendon that joins the two muscles of the calf to the heel bone, helping in movement. Its damage can cause toddler foot pain.
In this disease, the pain starts off as mild, and slowly worsens.
Symptoms
Signs of Achilles Tendinitis include:
- Inflammation
- Swelling
- Warmth
- Difficulty in walking
- Pain in the heel
Causes
Causes of Achilles Tendinitis include:
- Sudden increase in activity
- Repetitive physical exercise
Treatment
The illness must be diagnosed via a medical check-up. Remedies include:
- Rest
- Icing
- Compression
- Elevation
- Elastic wraps to lessen the swelling
- Supporting the tendon during primary inflammation
- Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen.
- Wearing proper, comfortable shoes with good support
This illness can cause chronic pain if left untreated.
Plantar Fasciitis
Introduction
This illness is related to the disturbance of plantar fascia that is a thick mass of connective tissue, running from the heel to the front of the foot. This can happen in both toddlers and adults.
Symptoms
Plantar Fasciitis’ signs include:
- Aching in the bottom of the feet
- Issues in walking
- Tenderness
- Tightness along the foot
- Pain being bad in the morning but gradually lessening along the day
Causes
Its causes include:
- Sudden incline in activity
- Running and jumping
- Wearing shoes with worn out supports
- Strenuous exercise
Treatment
This illness can be treated by:
- Resting
- Icing
- Compression
- Massage
- Elevation
- Refraining from activities such as running
- Wearing special orthotic shoes
Fractures
Introduction
Fractures refer to breaks in the bones. They are related to high-impact physical trauma, and must be treated as soon as possible. Similarly, Toddler foot pain could also be the result of a fracture.
Symptoms
Signs of fractures include:
- Severe pain
- Inflammation
- Bruises
- Inability to put weight or pressure on the concerned foot
Causes
Fractures can be caused by:
- Accidents
- Falling
- Injury
- Physical trauma
Treatment
Fractures must be addressed by the doctors as soon as possible, so the bone can be aligned or fixed. Some of the treatments include:
- Icing
- Rest
- Surgery
- Immobilization by a cast
- Avoiding exercise
- Physical therapy
Clubfoot
It occurs at birth and can be diagnosed after birth with an ultrasound. The treatment includes casting for the first two months, and then specific shoes for a few years.
Flatfoot
It is a genetic illness that means the lack of an arch in the foot. It can be usually treated by orthotics and stretching.
Awareness
Therefore, it is highly recommended that you always consult a doctor regarding toddler foot pain. However, counter measures can usually help ease the pain but the majority of the cases must be addressed by the doctor. Taking the following precautions can help prevent toddler foot pain:
- Wearing proper shoes
- Exercising
- Stretching
That’s it!
Now that you know the sensitivity of the issue and the counter remedies to help your child heal, you can solve the problem by getting your toddler checked. Remember that remedies like icing, stretching, resting and calf supporting can make the pain go away in most cases.