Children’s Podiatry
Who is children’s podiatry for?
Children’s podiatry may be helpful if your child has foot, ankle or leg symptoms, or if you have noticed a walking pattern that does not seem quite right. It can be useful for:
- Child foot pain
- Heel pain
- Flat feet
- Pain in the bottom of the foot
- Foot pain at night
- Walking pattern concerns
- In-toeing or out-toeing
- Toe walking
- Foot posture concerns
- Sports-related foot or lower-limb pain
- Footwear concerns
- Verrucas, where appropriate
Children’s feet and movement patterns can change as they grow. Some concerns need treatment, some need monitoring and some simply need a clear explanation so parents know what to look out for.
Common children’s foot and walking concerns
Parents often book an appointment because their child is complaining of discomfort or because something about their walking looks different.
Common reasons include:
- Foot pain during or after activity
- Shoes wearing unevenly
- Pain after sport
- Tripping more often than expected
- Limping or avoiding certain activities
- One foot turning in or out
- Complaints of aching feet or legs
- Concerns about flat feet
- Heel pain during growth
- Pain under the heel, arch or forefoot
Pain is not always linked to swelling or visible changes. A child may still benefit from assessment if symptoms are persistent, recurring or affecting how they move.
When should you book an assessment?
It is sensible to arrange an assessment with Stuart if your child’s foot pain is not settling, keeps coming back or starts to limit activity.
You may also want advice if your child:
- Avoids walking, running or sport because of discomfort
- Frequently trips or struggles with footwear
- Complains of pain at night or after activity
- Has flat feet that are painful or concerning
- Has pain in the bottom of the foot
- Has symptoms that are difficult to explain
- Has one foot or leg that appears to move differently
- Has had a recent increase in sport or training
What happens during a children’s podiatry appointment?
The appointment is calm, practical and designed to help both you and your child feel comfortable. A children’s podiatry assessment may include:
Stuart will explain what he finds in plain English, so you understand whether your child’s symptoms may be linked to growth, activity, footwear, foot posture or movement patterns.
Child foot pain
Child foot pain can be unsettling for parents. Sometimes children describe aching after a busy day, sport or a period of increased activity. Children’s foot pain should be taken seriously if it is persistent, severe, unexplained or associated with other symptoms.
A podiatry assessment can help review the foot and lower limb, but further medical advice may be recommended if the findings suggest this is needed.
Flat feet and walking concerns
Flat feet are common in children and do not always require treatment. The important question is whether they are painful, affecting activity or linked to concerns about walking, posture or footwear.
A children’s podiatrist can assess how your child’s feet and legs are developing and whether advice, exercises, footwear changes, orthoses or monitoring may be appropriate.
Walking concerns such as in-toeing, out-toeing or toe walking can also be reviewed. The aim is to understand how your child is moving and whether anything needs support or further investigation.
Treatment, advice or monitoring
Not every child needs treatment.
Depending on the assessment findings, advice may include:
- Footwear guidance
- Monitoring over time
- Activity advice
- Orthoses if suitable
- Exercises or strengthening where appropriate
- Verruca treatment advice where relevant
- Stretching or mobility work
- Referral for further investigation if needed
Stuart will explain the options clearly and only recommend treatment where it appears appropriate for your child’s symptoms, development and activity needs.
Children’s podiatry locations
Children can visit Evolution Podiatry at our Portobello and Wimbledon clinics.
If you are looking for a pediatric podiatrist or children’s podiatry, please choose a suitable clinic location when arranging your child’s appointment. Please note that under-18 appointments are not available at the Woking clinic.
Notting Hill, W10
Specialist Podiatry care in Notting Hill for patients across West London.Wimbledon, SW19
Foot and lower-limb assessment in Wimbledon for patients across South West London.
Meet Stuart Hodder
Stuart Hodder is a Specialist Podiatrist and the clinical lead at Evolution Podiatry. He works with patients experiencing foot, ankle and lower-limb pain, helping them understand what may be contributing to their symptoms and what the most suitable next step is.
His approach is calm, practical and personal. Patients see Stuart for clear explanations, careful assessment and treatment planning that is shaped around their symptoms, movement, footwear, activity level and goals.
Stuart has a particular interest in lower-limb function, biomechanics, gait analysis, sports and exercise injuries, child development and alignment concerns. This means he often looks beyond the painful area itself. His work involves assessing concerns such as heel pain, Achilles pain, shin splints, flat feet, sports injuries, gait problems, children’s foot concerns and orthotic needs.
- Specialist Podiatrist and a member of the Royal College of Podiatrists
- HCPC registered (CH14453)
- Experienced in NHS and private practice
- Strong interest in biomechanics and gait analysis
- Runner and cyclist with personal experience of injury and rehabilitation
- Registered and works with insurance medical providers
Frequently Asked Questions
- What if my child has pain in the bottom of the foot?
Pain in the bottom of the foot may be linked to several factors, including activity, footwear, foot posture or irritation of soft tissues. An assessment can help identify possible contributors.
- Should I book if my child has foot pain at night?
It is worth arranging advice if night pain is recurring, persistent or difficult to explain. If the pain is severe, linked to injury or associated with other symptoms, seek medical advice promptly.
- Do all Evolution Podiatry clinics see children?
No. Children can be seen at the Portobello and Wimbledon clinics. Please note that under-18 appointments are not available at the Woking clinic.
- Will my child need orthoses?
Not always. Orthoses will only be discussed if the assessment suggests they may be useful for your child’s foot function, comfort or activity needs.
- What should my child bring to the appointment?
Please bring the shoes they wear most often. If symptoms are linked to sport, bring their sports shoes as well. Any previous letters, scan results or treatment notes can also be helpful.
- What does a children’s podiatrist do?
A children’s podiatrist assesses foot pain, walking concerns, flat feet, heel pain, footwear issues and lower-limb symptoms in children. The aim is to explain what may be contributing and advise on the most suitable next step.
- Is children’s podiatry the same as paediatric podiatry?
Yes. Children’s podiatry and paediatric podiatry refer to podiatry care for children and young people. Some people also search for a pediatric podiatrist, which is the American spelling.
- Can child foot pain happen with no swelling?
Yes. A child can have foot pain with no swelling or visible change. If pain persists, keeps returning or affects walking, sport or daily activity, an assessment can help clarify what may be involved.
Insights
Helpful, plain English articles about foot pain, sports injuries, gait, children’s foot health and treatment options.
How your footwear can affect foot and lower-limb pain
Why does my foot hurt when I walk?
When should you see a Podiatrist for foot pain?
Book a children’s podiatry appointment
If your child has foot pain, walking concerns, flat feet or symptoms that keep returning, children’s podiatry can help you understand what may be happening.
Book a children’s podiatry assessment with Stuart Hodder at Evolution Podiatry’s Notting Hill or Wimbledon clinic.