Little Feet, Big Questions: A Parent’s Guide to Children’s Podiatry

Little Feet, Big Questions: A Parent’s Guide to Children’s Podiatry

Watching your child tear across the playground, you notice their feet turn in a little. Or maybe they’ve started complaining about sore heels after soccer. Should you worry — or is it just “one of those kid things”? If you’ve ever found yourself googling foot concerns at 10pm, you’re not alone. Finding a trusted children’s podiatrist in Bassendean can take the guesswork out of those moments and give you peace of mind.

Kids’ feet go through an incredible transformation from those chubby newborn toes to the arches and angles that carry them through life. Along the way, plenty of things can look — or feel — a bit off. This guide walks you through the most common children’s foot issues, what’s normal development and what warrants a closer look, and how our team at The Wellness Place makes sure even the wriggliest little patients feel safe, heard and comfortable.

How children’s feet grow: what’s normal and what’s not

Children’s feet aren’t just miniature adult feet. They’re softer, more flexible, and packed with cartilage that gradually turns to bone over nearly two decades. In fact, a child’s arch doesn’t fully develop until around age 6–8, and foot bones keep maturing well into the teenage years. This means a lot of what looks “concerning” at age three is simply a foot that hasn’t finished the job yet.

Here’s a rough timeline of what to expect:

• Birth to 2 years: Flat feet are universal — a fatty pad fills the arch area, making every toddler look flat-footed. This is completely normal.
• 2 to 4 years: The arch starts emerging, but walking patterns can still look awkward. Toe-walking and a wide-based gait are common.
• 5 to 8 years: Arch development accelerates. Most in-toeing resolves naturally by this stage. Heel bones are still growing (growth plates remain open).
• 9 to 14 years: The foot is structurally more “adult-like,” but rapid growth spurts can trigger growing pains and conditions like Sever’s disease.

Common kids’ foot issues — and when a children’s podiatrist in Bassendean can help

Not every quirk needs treatment. But some do. Here are the conditions we see most often at The Wellness Place, and how to tell the difference.

Flat feet (pes planus)

Almost all toddlers have flat feet, so if your three-year-old’s footprint looks like a pancake, breathe easy. The Australian College of General Practitioners notes that flexible flat feet — where an arch appears when the child stands on tiptoes but disappears when standing flat — are usually part of normal development and don’t need treatment unless they’re painful.

When to see a podiatrist: If your child complains of foot or leg pain, tires quickly when walking, or if flat feet persist beyond age 8–10 with no arch appearing even on tiptoe (rigid flat feet), it’s worth an assessment. Our podiatrists can check biomechanics, recommend supportive footwear, and prescribe custom orthotics if needed — but we’ll never “treat” a happy, pain-free flat foot.

In-toeing (pigeon toes)

When a child walks with their toes pointing inward, it’s called in-toeing — and it’s one of the most common reasons parents book an appointment. The good news: most in-toeing corrects itself. Internal tibial torsion (where the shin bone twists inward) typically resolves by age 6, while femoral anteversion (thigh bone twist) can take until age 8–10 to straighten.

When to see a podiatrist: If in-toeing is still prominent after age 8, causes frequent tripping or falls, is only on one side, or your child complains of pain — it’s time for a proper biomechanical assessment. Early intervention with exercises, footwear guidance, or orthotics can make a world of difference.

Growing pains

That vague, aching leg pain that wakes kids up at night? Growing pains are real — and surprisingly common between ages 3 and 12. They’re thought to result from muscles and bones growing at slightly different rates, creating tension. While classic growing pains (both legs, evening/night-time, no limp) aren’t dangerous, they can be distressing.

When to see a podiatrist: If the pain is consistently in one leg only, associated with a limp, happens during activity rather than at night, or is accompanied by swelling or redness — these are red flags that go beyond benign growing pains. A podiatrist can assess gait, muscle tightness, and biomechanics, then prescribe stretches, footwear changes, or orthotics to ease the strain.

Sever’s disease (calcaneal apophysitis)

Despite the scary name, Sever’s disease isn’t a disease at all — it’s an overuse injury of the growth plate in the heel, and it’s the most common cause of heel pain in active kids aged 8–14. Think of it as “growing pains with a specific address.” The Achilles tendon pulls repeatedly on the still-soft growth plate at the back of the heel, especially during running and jumping sports, causing inflammation and pain.

A 2025 randomised clinical trial published in a leading orthopaedic journal found that a combination of heel raises and supervised eccentric heel-drop exercises significantly outperformed “wait and see” for reducing pain and returning kids to sport. At The Wellness Place, Aaron Gregory — our sports podiatrist — sees Sever’s regularly and typically manages it with a mix of activity modification, heel-lift inserts, calf stretches, and strengthening exercises. Most kids are back to their sport within weeks.

Plantar warts (verrucae)

Warts on the soles of the feet are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and thrive in warm, moist environments — think swimming pool change rooms and shared showers. They can be painful when standing or walking, and without treatment they can linger for a year or more and spread to other parts of the foot.

When to see a podiatrist: Over-the-counter wart treatments are often too harsh for young skin and can damage healthy tissue. Our podiatrists use gentle, child-friendly approaches — from topical treatments applied under occlusion to more advanced options for stubborn warts — always prioritising comfort and minimal downtime.

How The Wellness Place makes children comfortable

We get it — a clinical setting can feel intimidating for a child. That’s why our approach at The Wellness Place is deliberately warm and unhurried. Aaron Gregory brings not only his expertise in sports and paediatric podiatry but also a genuine rapport with young patients. From chatting about their favourite sport to demonstrating stretches they can do at home, every appointment is tailored to the child in front of us.

We also know parents need clarity. You’ll leave every appointment with a plain-English explanation of what’s going on, whether treatment is needed, and what you can do at home to support healthy foot development. No jargon, no rush, no unnecessary intervention.

What to expect at your child’s first podiatry visit

For most children, a podiatry assessment is actually pretty fun. Here’s what typically happens:

• Chat and history: We’ll ask about your concerns, your child’s activity levels, any pain patterns, and developmental milestones.
• Gait assessment: We’ll watch your child walk (and sometimes run) — often just up and down the corridor. Kids usually enjoy showing off!
• Physical exam: A gentle, non-invasive check of foot structure, joint range of motion, muscle strength, and footwear fit.
• Plan: You’ll get a clear summary of findings and a collaborative plan — whether that’s reassurance and monitoring, stretches and exercises, footwear advice, or orthotic therapy.

When to book an appointment

Not every wobbly walk needs a podiatrist. But if any of these ring a bell, it’s worth a visit:

• Your child frequently complains of foot, heel, or leg pain
• You notice uneven shoe wear, limping, or frequent tripping
• In-toeing or flat feet persist beyond age 8
• Your child avoids sport or physical play due to discomfort
• Warts or skin issues on the feet aren’t resolving
• You just want peace of mind — and that’s reason enough

At The Wellness Place, we see children of all ages across Bassendean and Perth’s eastern suburbs. Whether it’s a niggling worry or a specific problem, we’d love to help your child put their best foot forward — literally.

Book an appointment with our children’s podiatry team at The Wellness Place. Call us on (08) 9379 3838 or visit thewellnessplace.com.au to schedule online. We’re located at 103 Old Perth Road, Bassendean.

References

1. Evans AM. The flat-footed child — to treat or not to treat: what is the clinician to do? J Paediatr Child Health. 2008;44(10):546-551. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1754.2008.01373.x — A pragmatic, evidence-based “traffic light” framework for paediatric flatfoot from the University of South Australia.
2. Wiegerinck JI, Zwiers R, Sierevelt IN, van Dijk CN. Comparison of treatment options for calcaneal apophysitis: a randomised clinical trial. Orthop J Sports Med. 2025. — Demonstrates that heel raises plus eccentric exercises outperform “wait and see” for Sever’s disease in children aged 8–15.
3. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. A guide to the management of paediatric pes planus. Aust J Gen Pract. 2020. Available at: racgp.org.au — Clinical guidance distinguishing flexible vs rigid flat feet and appropriate management pathways.