By Dr. Sahiba Singh, DPM
As a podiatric physician at Family Foot & Leg Center in Port Charlotte, of the most consistent trends I notice every August is a sharp increase in children coming into my office with foot and ankle pain. Parents are often surprised by this “sudden” discomfort, but it almost always coincides with the rapid transition back to school. After a relaxed summer, kids are suddenly walking long hallways, standing for extended periods, and jumping straight back into organized sports. Those growing feet are suddenly being asked to do a whole lot more.
When preparing for a new school year, families understandably focus on school supplies, clothes, and annual physicals. Foot health, however, is easily overlooked. Yet, the feet support every step a child takes. Left unaddressed, childhood foot problems can cause a domino effect, eventually leading to knee, hip, and lower back pain.
It is important to remember that children are not simply small adults. Their bones are still developing, their growth plates remain open, and their supporting muscles and ligaments continue to mature through adolescence. Because of this unique biology, kids experience distinct foot conditions that differ significantly from what I see in adults. Fortunately, most of these issues are highly treatable when caught early.
One of the best things parents can do before school starts is buy properly fitting shoes. I frequently see children wearing shoes that are one or two sizes too small because they outgrew them over the summer without realizing it. Proper footwear should offer adequate toe room, a supportive heel, a stable sole, and bend only at the ball of the foot—not in the middle. Support is far more important than current fashion trends. Poorly fitting shoes don’t just cause blisters; they contribute to ingrown toenails, heel pain, and altered walking mechanics that strain the rest of the body.
As youth sports ramp up, I also see a surge in overuse injuries. One common diagnosis I make this time of year is Sever’s disease (calcaneal apophysitis). Despite the intimidating name, it is not actually a disease, but an temporary inflammation of the heel’s growth plate, typically affecting kids between ages 8 and 14. Children with this condition often complain of heel pain during or after sports, sometimes limping by the end of the day. Fortunately, it responds beautifully to conservative treatments like calf stretching, supportive shoes, heel cups, or custom orthotics.
Parents also frequently mistake persistent foot pain for normal “growing pains.” While mild aches can happen, pain should never be ignored if it causes limping, swelling, or forces a child to sit out of activities. Early evaluation prevents serious issues like stress fractures or tendon damage that require much longer recovery periods. Foot structure also plays a major role. While many children with flat feet never experience issues, those who suffer from pain, fatigue, or frequent ankle sprains can benefit greatly from orthotics or physical therapy.
Additionally, the school year brings an increase in fungal infections, warts, and ingrown toenails from locker rooms and communal showers. Encouraging kids to wear shower shoes, change their socks daily, and let their athletic shoes dry out completely can prevent these issues.
Finally, backpacks deserve a mention. Heavy backpacks shift a child’s center of gravity and alter walking mechanics, placing extra strain all the way down on the feet. Keep backpacks under 10 to 15 percent of your child’s body weight, and make sure they use both shoulder straps.
Healthy feet are the foundation for a successful school year. If your child is complaining of foot pain, limping, or avoiding physical activity, please don’t assume they will simply outgrow it. An evaluation in our office can quickly identify the root cause and get them back on their feet comfortably.
I wish all of our students, teachers, and families a safe, healthy, and successful school year.
Dr. Sahiba Singh is a board-qualified podiatric physician at Family Foot and Leg Center, located at 3161 Harbor Blvd., Suite B, Port Charlotte, Florida, where she provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for foot and ankle conditions, including pediatric podiatry, sports injuries, diabetic foot care, wound care, and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery.
FAMILY FOOT & LEG CENTER
3161 Harbor Blvd, Suite B,
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
(239) 430 – 3668 (FOOT)
www.NaplesPodiatrist.com