Children’s Podiatry in Sydney: Detecting Growing Pains vs Structural Issues

As a parent, seeing your child in discomfort can be worrying, especially when they complain of aches in their legs and feet. The most common question we hear at Sydney Podiatry is: “Is this just a normal part of growing, or is something more serious happening?”

It’s a crucial distinction. While many aches are attributed to benign growing pains, persistent kids foot pain can often signal underlying structural or biomechanical issues that require professional attention. Understanding the difference is the first step toward ensuring your child’s long-term mobility and comfort.

This detailed guide will help you understand the characteristics of each condition and explain why consulting a paediatric podiatrist is essential for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.

1. Unpacking the Mystery of Growing Pains

Growing pains are a common childhood phenomenon, typically affecting children between the ages of 3 and 12. Despite the name, there is no conclusive scientific proof that rapid bone growth causes this pain. Instead, they are widely believed to be related to the day-to-day strain placed on muscles and tendons, particularly in active children.

Key Characteristics of Growing Pains:

• Timing: The pain almost exclusively occurs in the late afternoon, evening, or wakes the child up at night. Crucially, the pain is usually gone by the morning and does not cause limping during the day.
• Location: Pain is typically felt deep in the muscles of the legs, often in the calves, shins, thighs, or behind the knees. It is generally bilateral, meaning it affects both legs simultaneously.
• Appearance: There are no visible signs of injury. The skin will not look swollen, red, or warm.
• Relief: The pain often responds well to comfort measures, such as a gentle massage, stretching, a warm bath or heat pack, or simple over-the-counter pain relief (following medical advice).

If your child’s pain matches this profile, it’s highly likely to be growing pains—an uncomfortable but harmless phase.

2. When Pain Signals a Structural or Biomechanical Issue

While growing pains are sporadic and manageable, pain that is persistent, unilateral (on one side only), or associated with other physical symptoms is a red flag for a structural problem. These issues often arise from poor foot mechanics that cause abnormal stress on the feet, legs, knees, and hips.

Common Structural Issues:

Flat Feet in Children (Pes Planus)

One of the most common structural issues we see in childrens podiatry in Sydney is flexible flat feet in children. While infants are born with flat feet, the arch should usually develop by age 6 or 7. If the foot remains flattened, it can cause the foot to roll inward excessively (pronation).

This pronation can lead to a cascade of mechanical problems up the body, straining muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Pain caused by flat feet is often felt:

• In the arch or heel (Plantar Fasciitis or Sever’s Disease).
• During physical activity (walking, running, sports).
• Consistently, not just at night.

Heel Pain (Sever’s Disease)

Sever’s Disease or calcaneal apophysitis is common in highly active children aged 8-14. It is an inflammation of the growth plate in the heel and is a prime example of pain caused by structural stress, usually exacerbated by poor foot posture and tight calf muscles.

Tendonitis and Gait Issues

Structural imbalances can lead to constant strain on various tendons, resulting in issues such as in-toeing, out-toeing, or general clumsiness. These are not ‘pains’ but problems with movement patterns that can lead to pain and injury later in life if left uncorrected.

3. Detecting the Difference: A Podiatrist’s Perspective

The key to treating your child effectively lies in a careful assessment to determine the true source of their kids foot pain. This is where the expertise of a paediatric podiatrist is invaluable.

If your child’s pain falls into the “Structural Issue” column, or if you are simply unsure, it’s time to seek professional care.

4. The Role of the Paediatric Podiatrist

Our team specialises in childrens podiatry Sydney and focuses on non-invasive, proactive care. During an assessment, we perform a thorough gait analysis, checking the alignment and biomechanics of the legs and feet.

How We Treat and Manage:

1. Accurate Diagnosis: We differentiate between muscular fatigue (growing pains) and issues caused by mechanical stress (structural issues). This clarity gives parents peace of mind.
2. Custom Foot Orthotics: For structural problems such as flat feet or excessive pronation, we may prescribe custom-made orthotics (specialised insoles). These are designed to gently guide your child’s foot into a more optimal position, reducing strain and correcting the underlying cause of pain.
3. Footwear Advice: We provide detailed recommendations on the best supportive shoes for your child’s specific activities and foot type.
4. Stretching and Strengthening: We prescribe tailored exercise programs to address muscle tightness (a contributing factor to both growing pains and conditions like Sever’s Disease) and improve foot and leg strength.

Whether the diagnosis is simple growing pains or a more complex condition, consulting a specialist is the most responsible way to manage your child’s foot health. Early intervention from a dedicated paediatric podiatrist can prevent minor issues from turning into major problems that affect posture, mobility, and sporting performance throughout their teen and adult years.

If your child is struggling with persistent kids foot pain in the Sydney area, don’t wait. Contact the team at Sydney Podiatry today—we’re here to help them move comfortably through every stage of growth.