Top 5 Reasons Your Child May Have a Foot Problem

Kids are active, growing, and constantly on the move—which means their feet take a lot of wear and tear. While occasional aches can be normal, persistent foot pain or walking changes should not be ignored. At Hart Orthopedics, we often see children and teens with foot issues that can impact sports, school, and daily life.

Here are the top 5 reasons your child may be having foot problems.

1. Flat Feet That Don’t Improve with Age

Most young children naturally have flat feet, but arches typically begin to form by age 6 or 7. If your child’s arches don’t appear, or if they complain of tired, achy feet after activity, flat feet may be to blame.

What parents notice: ankles rolling inward, clumsy walking, or complaints after sports.

What helps: supportive shoes, custom orthotics, and physical therapy.

2. Heel Pain from Growth Plate Irritation (Sever’s Disease)

One of the most common causes of heel pain in active kids between 8–14 is Sever’s disease, an inflammation of the heel’s growth plate.

What parents notice: limping after games, pain when running or jumping, or complaints of sore heels at night.

What helps: rest, heel pads, stretching, and temporary activity modification.

3. Sports-Related Injuries

From soccer to basketball, kids in organized sports are at high risk of ankle sprains, stress fractures, and tendon injuries. Because children’s bones are still growing, injuries can affect growth plates.

What parents notice: sudden swelling, refusal to bear weight, or limping that lasts more than a day.

What helps: early evaluation, bracing, physical therapy, and in some cases, imaging to rule out fractures.

4. Ingrown Toenails

It may sound minor, but ingrown toenails are a leading cause of foot pain in kids—especially teens. Tight cleats, improper nail trimming, and repeated trauma can cause painful swelling and even infection.

What parents notice: redness and swelling along the toenail, tenderness to touch, or pus if infected.

What helps: warm soaks, antibiotics for infection, proper nail care, and minor procedures to remove part of the nail.

5. Structural Conditions (Bunions, Toe Deformities, Clubfoot)

Some children inherit structural foot conditions, such as juvenile bunions, clubfoot, or toe deformities. These issues may not always be painful early on but can worsen over time without treatment.

What parents notice: bumps along the side of the foot, toes that curl or cross, or difficulty fitting into shoes.

What helps: supportive footwear, orthotics, and in some cases, corrective procedures.

When to Seek Help

If your child is limping, complaining of foot pain more than once a week, or avoiding sports they used to enjoy, it’s time to see an orthopedic specialist. Early diagnosis can prevent problems from getting worse and help your child stay active.

At Hart Orthopedics, we treat children and teens with foot conditions every day. From simple ingrown toenails to complex structural issues, our specialists provide same-day appointments and personalized treatment plans.

📍 With offices in Massapequa, Syosset, and Stony Brook, we’re proud to support families across Suffolk and Nassau Counties.

👉 Call (833) DRHARTS today to schedule your child’s evaluation and keep them moving pain-free.