At The New Jersey Children’s Foot Heath Institute, we know that your children’s health is extremely important to you. So today, we have a top tip for you: When it comes to your children’s feet, growing pains are not normal. Pain in the feet usually indicates that something is wrong. Without treatment, some pain may linger and even worsen over time. Worst-case scenario, children’s bones can develop or form incorrectly when problems are not treated promptly. We can help!
If your child complains about pain, there are several possible causes behind it:
- Achilles Tendonitis – The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. When the Achilles tendon is strained, such as when there is a sudden increase in activity or change in intensity of activity, it can become inflamed, causing pain in the back of the heel. It is also a common overuse injury for children who participate in sports with repetitive activities like running and jumping.
- Plantar Fasciitis – Another overuse injury, the connective tissues along the bottom of the feet that connect the midfoot to the heel can become irritated and inflamed. Running, walking, or standing for long periods of time, as well as intense activity can make it worse, especially if shoes are not supportive in the arches. As the tissues become tight, the heels may feel pain.
- Heel Spurs – This is a bony growth that protrudes from the heel. It can happen if the plantar fascia is constantly tight or inflamed. When the bone is developing or healing, it may develop a spur to compensate for problems in the feet. These spurs can be painful if weight is put on them.
- Sever’s Disease – Typically brought on during sports or injury, the growth plate of a developing heel bone can become irritate. A tight Achilles tendon can aggravate the problem by pulling excessively on the growth plate. It can also cause the feet to flatten, further worsening problems in the feet.
- Fractures – Repeated use of the heel or traumatic injury can cause fractures. The growing heel bone in your children’s feet are more at risk of fracture since they are not yet fully formed. Children playing high impact sports are more prone to this injury.
If your child complains about heel pain, do not hesitate to bring him or her into our office. The earlier any of these conditions are treated, the better the healing time and outcome. For the best treatment, come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy. Make an appointment today at The New Jersey Children’s Foot Heath Institute at Clark Podiatry Center to have your child’s heel pain assessed and treated with care. We are located in Clark, NJ and serve patients in all the surrounding Union County towns! We keep you walking!