Growing Pains In Children Or Merely Flat Feet?

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Growing Pains In Children Or Merely Flat Feet?

By Dr. John Goodner

Foot, ankle and leg problems in the growing child are often considered to be “Growing Pains” in the bone and muscles of the lower extremity. While in a small number of cases this might be true, in a majority of the cases the pains that plague these children and teenagers may be caused by lower extremity malalignment problems.

Growing pains are often seen in children who are excessively flatfooted or whose feet point to the outside. Children may also appear very knockkneed. Tight calf muscles can not only cause but significantly aggravate the pain that these children are experiencing, especially at night.

Leg pain is most commonly seen, especially at night after a long day of activity. Pain with activities, especially along the inside of the knee, lower leg, ankle and foot, may also be experienced. This is often associated with a general avoidance of activities and sports and premature fatigue with many activities. Many children can also develop lower back pain.

Treatment is important early on. Changing a child’s shoe gear to add more support to the foot and ankle may provide immediate help. Avoiding barefoot and flat shoes is necessary. Custom molded orthotics (shoe inserts) will immediately help to realign the foot and the entire lower extremity. This will almost overnight eliminate the problem. Physical therapy may also help to decrease overall muscle tightness and to improve muscle strength and coordination.

If the foot is flat and associated with tight calf muscles, stretching the calf muscles in a walking cast is critical to not only eliminate the problem but to prevent a recurrence. If the flatfoot deformity is severe, there is a small percentage of children that will benefit from a procedure to realign and “correct” the flatfoot.

An excellent prognosis is always seen when the cause is identified and the problem treated.

Dr. John Goodner is a Board Qualified Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Surgeon with the Foot, Ankle and Leg Specialists of South Florida and specializes in sports medicine foot and ankle injuries, foot and ankle arthroscopy, lower extremity trauma, and lower extremity deformities in infants, children, teens and adults. The South Florida Institute of Sports

Medicine in Plantation is located at 220 S.W. 84th Avenue,

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