As parents in Singapore, we love watching our children grow — from their first steps at home to running freely at playgrounds in Bishan Park or chasing friends during PE lessons. But sometimes, little feet don’t move the way we expect. A child who always trips, complains of sore legs, or walks with their feet turned in may just seem “a bit clumsy,” but these can be early signs of children’s foot conditions that need attention.
This is where podiatry for children comes in.
Paediatric podiatry is a branch of podiatry that focuses specifically on the foot and lower limb health of children. Just as kids need paediatricians for their growth, dentists for their teeth, and optometrists for their eyes, they may also need a children’s foot specialist when problems with walking, running, or foot pain arise.
Children’s bones, muscles, and joints are still developing. Early support can make a huge difference in their growth, confidence, and overall activity level.
Parents often wonder if their child’s walking pattern is “normal.” Here are some conditions that our podiatrists frequently see in children:
Flat feet – While flat feet can be common in toddlers, if they persist with pain or affect balance, they may require treatment.
In-toeing or out-toeing – Often noticed when kids walk or run awkwardly, these may cause frequent tripping.
Heel pain – Especially in active children who play sports; this can affect performance and enjoyment.
Growing pains – Sometimes linked to biomechanical issues in the feet and legs.
While some of these conditions may improve as a child grows, persistent or painful symptoms should not be ignored.
Imagine your child sitting out of recess games because their feet hurt, or avoiding sports because running feels uncomfortable. These little setbacks can affect not only physical development but also self-confidence. Early podiatry care helps children stay active, participate fully in school activities, and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
With the right support, children can overcome discomfort and thrive in their daily adventures.
You may want to consider visiting a children’s foot specialist if you notice:
Your child often trips or avoids running.
They complain of foot, leg, or heel pain.
You notice unusual walking patterns (such as limping, in-toeing, or out-toeing).
Shoes wear out unevenly or very quickly.
Our podiatrist can assess your child’s walking, provide guidance on footwear, and recommend management such as exercises, orthoses (custom insoles or supramalleolar orthoses), or lifestyle adjustments.
Childhood should be filled with play, exploration, and confidence. By paying attention to early signs of possible foot conditions and seeking help from our paediatric podiatrists, parents can give their children the best start in staying active and healthy.
At Straits Podiatry, our podiatrists understand the unique needs of growing feet. With gentle, child-friendly care, we help kids put their best foot forward — quite literally.
If you’ve noticed your child struggling with foot pain or walking difficulties, don’t wait until it becomes a bigger issue. Book an appointment with our podiatrists today and take the first step towards healthier, happier feet.
Iselin’s disease, also known as apophysitis of the fifth metatarsal base, is a child foot condition that causes pain in the outer foot. It is a type of osteochondrosis that causes pain at the styloid process of the fifth metatarsal – the long bone at the outer foot that connects to the smallest toe. This condition typically affects children and adolescents active in sports like basketball, football, or ballet.
Toe walking, commonly referred to as “walking on tippy toes” by parents, is a condition to describe children who walk without heels touching the ground. Toe walking is a form of gait disorder associated with several underlying neurological or muscular conditions, such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and autism. If left untreated, toe walking can lead to other injuries and conditions to the lower limb.
Juvenile bunions, or juvenile hallux abductovalgus, are a type of foot deformity that affects the big toe joint of children or teenagers under the age of 18 years, where the big toe curves towards the lesser toes. The result of the deviation is a bony protrusion over the inner side of the big toe joint. The appearance of a juvenile bunion is similar to an adult bunion, with the only difference being the age of onset.
Juvenile bunions are considered a progressive deformity; therefore, it is expected that the big toe’s deviation worsens as a child grows up. Children affected by juvenile bunions will often not experience any discomfort in its early stages, however, as the deformity worsens, they will usually complain of pain and redness around the big toe joint.
Osteochondrosis is a group of medical disorders affecting the growth and development of bone and cartilage in young children and adolescents. It can affect any joints of a developing child but are most common in the hip, knee, ankle, and foot. Osteochondrosis can cause significant pain and affect the child’s ability to walk.
Kohler’s disease is a rare child’s foot condition that causes midfoot pain and limp. It is a type of osteochondrosis in children and is also known as avascular necrosis of the navicular bone and affects the inner side of the foot arch. Kohler’s disease commonly occurs in children between 3 and 7 years old and is more common in boys. If left untreated, the condition can limit the foot motions and change your child’s gait pattern.
Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is a type of osteochondrosis that causes knee pain in children and adolescents, typically between the ages of 10 and 15. It results from an inflammation of the tibial tuberosity, the bony bump below the kneecap (patella). The condition primarily affects adolescents experiencing a growth spurt and active in running and jumping sports.
When children take their first steps, every parent watches with excitement (and maybe a little worry). As they grow, you might start to notice their feet looking “flatter” than yours, or their shoes wearing out unevenly. You might also notice that their footprints look odd when you’re at the beach. Sometimes, their grandparents will comment, “Wah, why is my grandchild walking like that? Can you ask somebody to check?” If you’ve ever wondered whether this is normal or something to be concerned about, you’re not alone. These questions are more common than you think, because flat feet in children are a condition that many parents encounter during the growing years, especially in Singapore.
Flat feet in children, or medically called paediatric pes planus, are common — but not always harmless. While some kids outgrow it without problems, others may develop pain, awkward walking patterns, trips and falls easily, or struggle with sports. This is where podiatry for children comes in: to guide parents through what’s normal, what’s not, and when to seek help from a children’s foot specialist.
In-toe walking, also known as “Pigeon toes”, is a condition whereby a child is walking with their toes pointing inwards and facing each other. This condition is considered a form of gait abnormality and is one of the common causes of frequent tripping and falling in young children. It is also one of the most common paediatric conditions that parents often neglect even after noticing the problem.
Knock knees, medically termed genu valgum, is a congenital structural abnormality that affects the angle of the knees. Parents often refer to knock knees as “X-shaped” legs, where the knees are touching one another whilst the feet are wide apart when standing.
Knock knees are determined by either the angular difference between the thigh bone (femur) and the leg bone (tibia) through an x-ray or by measuring the gap between the ankles when someone is standing with their knees together.
If within the normal reference range and age, knock knees are part of the normal development of a child. Children are expected to have mild knock knees after the age of 2 years, and peak at the age of 4 years.
Sever’s disease or calcaneal apophysitis is a type of osteochondrosis that causes heel pain in children between the age of 8 to 14 years. This condition occurs when the Achilles tendon (the tendon that attaches to the back of the heel) pulls on the growth plate of the heel bone (calcaneal apophysis), resulting in swelling and inflammation of the growth plate.
Sever’s disease often occurs in active children and is more common in boys than girls. Children affected by Sever’s disease commonly complain of pain under the heel or at the back of the heel. In the early stages, the pain would normally occur only after high-impact activities or sports, but as the condition gets worse, the pain would eventually cause the child to limp even without activity.
There’s no set “right” age. If you notice persistent foot pain, frequent tripping, or unusual walking patterns, it’s a good idea to get an assessment. Many parents bring their children between the ages of 2 and 5, when growth is rapid and walking styles are starting to be more developed.
Occasional aches can happen after long days of play or sports. But pain that comes back often, affects daily activities, or limits your child’s participation in school or sports is not normal and should be checked.
Not all children require orthoses. They are usually recommended if your child’s foot structure or walking pattern is causing pain, frequent injuries, or affecting balance and posture. Our podiatrists will only suggest them when truly necessary.
Good footwear makes a difference. Choose shoes with firm support around the heel, flexible soles, and enough space for growing toes. For toddlers who have just started walking, encouraging barefoot play on safe surfaces at home can also help strengthen developing muscles.
Some conditions may improve naturally with growth, while others may persist or worsen if left unattended. The safest way to know is through an assessment with a children’s foot specialist, who can guide you on whether your child needs monitoring, exercises, or treatment. Although the answer may sound cliché, it is the wisest thing to do, as answers on the internet can be too generalised to apply to your child.