You know, kids these days are busier than ever. Whether it’s Auskick on Saturday morning, netball after school, or those weekend soccer games that seem to go on forever, it’s brilliant to see young ones moving and enjoying their sport. But with all this activity comes a fair share of foot pain and overuse injuries, especially in growing kids.
What many people don’t realise is that children’s feet aren’t just mini adult feet. They’re different — mainly because of something called the growth plates. These are soft, cartilaginous areas at the ends of bones that haven’t hardened yet. Think of them like construction zones still in progress. Until these growth plates fully mature around age 14, they’re a bit vulnerable, and repetitive stress or trauma can cause real damage.
I remember treating a 10-year-old local soccer player last year who kept complaining of heel pain. His mum thought it was just “growing pains” and that he’d grow out of it. But a closer look showed the pain was coming from his growth plates, affected by the constant running and jumping. Left untreated, these injuries can cause ongoing problems, even leading to secondary injuries that are more painful and harder to fix.
So, when it comes to foot pain in kids, it’s crucial to know about these growth plates. They’re the hidden factor behind many of the injuries we see in clinic — and understanding them helps us tailor the best treatment for your child.
What Does the Research Say About Foot Pain in Children?
Let’s have a look at what the research tells us about kids and their foot pain — because understanding the evidence helps us make better decisions in the clinic.
There’s a solid study from the US that looked at 80 children, aged between 4 and 15, all dealing with growth plate injuries around the foot and ankle. The findings weren’t too surprising, but they highlight some important points that I see in my daily practice here in Melbourne and across Australia.
Most kids in the study developed foot pain after playing active sports like soccer, baseball, basketball, volleyball, running, or tennis. Sound familiar? It’s the same with many Aussie kids playing Auskick or netball — those repeated bursts of activity really put strain on growing feet.
Interestingly, not all injuries came from sport. Some kids hurt their growth plates in ways you might not expect, like jumping on trampolines, falling off playground gear, or even bumping their foot on furniture at home. Yep — even the everyday mishaps around the house can cause growth plate injuries.
The big takeaway here is this: the treatment goal is to reduce the force and pain on the growth plate until the child’s bones fully mature. That means managing activity, addressing biomechanical issues, and supporting the foot properly — not just bandaging the pain.
How Podiatry Comes Into Play — Real Solutions for Growing Feet
From where I stand as a sports podiatrist, the main growth plate injuries we see most often are Sever’s Disease, Kohler’s Disease, and Iselin’s Disease. Each one targets a different part of the foot but shares the same root cause: overuse and stress on those still-developing growth plates.
What really stood out from the study I mentioned earlier was their focus on foot biomechanics — particularly how some kids with moderate to severe pronation (that’s when the heel rolls inward more than it should) were more prone to injury. The research showed that custom orthotics weren’t just a helpful add-on; they were absolutely vital in both treating these injuries and stopping them from coming back.
This matches what I see in clinic day in, day out. For example, kids who come in limping or complaining of pain often benefit massively from orthotic devices that support their feet correctly, reduce strain on growth plates, and keep them moving without pain.
Here’s a quick checklist of what a thorough podiatry assessment involves when tackling foot pain in children:
- Careful examination of foot structure and movement patterns
- Identifying any overpronation or biomechanical faults
- Checking for tenderness around growth plates
- Assessing footwear for support and fit (because the right shoes matter!)
- Designing custom orthotics tailored to the child’s specific needs
- Advising on activity modification to prevent overuse
- Monitoring progress and adjusting treatment as the child grows
With this approach, we’re not just managing symptoms; we’re tackling the problem at its source. This means kids can get back to kicking goals and playing footy without pain dragging them down.
The Hidden Danger — Secondary Injuries That Sneak Up on Kids
One thing I always stress to parents is that foot pain in kids can be sneaky. Often, the initial growth plate injury isn’t immediately obvious. Kids might shrug off the discomfort or just push through it because they’re having fun with their mates.
But here’s the catch: ignoring that initial pain can lead to secondary injuries. In that same study, almost half the children — 36 out of 80 — ended up with a secondary foot injury. Common ones I see include plantar fasciitis (heel pain), Achilles tendonitis, and posterior tibial tendonitis — all conditions that cause more persistent pain and often take longer to heal.
Picture this: a 9-year-old girl playing netball bumps her foot on a sideline post. The impact hits her growth plate, but she tells her parents it’s “just a bruise.” She keeps playing for weeks, but gradually her foot starts to hurt more, and she begins to limp. Eventually, the pain wakes her up at night — a sure sign something’s not right. That’s usually when the parents bring her in.
By then, the initial growth plate injury has set the stage for a nasty secondary problem. The longer the delay, the tougher the road to recovery.
That’s why early detection and treatment are key. It’s not just about managing the initial injury but stopping the knock-on effects before they take hold.
Getting Ahead of the Game — Prevention and Treatment in Aussie Kids
Thanks to better awareness among parents, teachers, and foot specialists here in Australia, we’re seeing some real progress in managing foot pain in kids.
Advances in custom orthotics mean we can offer support that’s designed exactly for your child’s foot shape and activity level — not just off-the-shelf solutions that might feel like a quick fix but don’t last the distance. Couple that with improved footwear technology, especially for those busy, on-the-go Aussie kids, and you’ve got a recipe for keeping those growth plates protected.
Here’s a quick timeline for parents and carers to help spot warning signs and act early:
Stage | What to Watch For | Recommended Action |
Early Signs | Complaints of pain after sport or activity | Ease off activity; check for swelling or limping |
Persistent | Limping, pain waking them at night | Book a podiatry assessment ASAP |
Diagnosis | Confirm growth plate injury or biomechanical issues | Custom orthotics, footwear advice, rest |
Recovery | Pain reduces; return to activity gradually | Ongoing support, strengthening exercises |
And for families juggling multiple sports or weekend activities — making sure your child has good-quality, supportive shoes is a must. Aussie summers with the heat and frequent barefoot play on beaches or backyards can add extra strain on young feet if they’re not protected properly.
We’ve seen kids bounce back quicker and stronger when we combine early treatment with education for parents and coaches — helping everyone understand the importance of rest days and not pushing through pain.
Well Heeled Podiatry — Helping Your Child Take Pain-Free Steps
At Well Heeled Podiatry, we get how worrying it can be when your child is sidelined by foot pain. It’s frustrating for the little ones who just want to play, and for parents who want to see their kids happy and active without discomfort.
With over a decade of experience treating children’s growth plate injuries and related foot pain, we combine hands-on therapies, custom orthotics, and tailored advice to get your child moving again — safely and confidently.
We also understand the local Melbourne climate and lifestyle. Whether it’s slippery wet courts in winter or sandy beaches in summer, we know how different environments impact growing feet. That’s why our treatment plans are designed with local conditions in mind, ensuring your child’s feet get the support they need year-round.
Don’t wait for the pain to get worse. If your child’s foot pain is affecting their day-to-day life, limping, or waking them at night, book in a podiatry assessment. Early intervention can make all the difference.
Your child deserves to run, jump, and kick without pain holding them back — and we’re here to help every step of the way.