Foot Pain in Children: Causes, Treatment & When to Worry
Quick Answer: Foot pain in children is common and usually not serious. Most cases are due to growing pains, overuse from activities, or poorly fitting shoes. However, persistent pain, limping, swelling, or pain after injury needs medical evaluation. Treatment depends on the cause - rest, proper footwear, and stretching help most cases. See a doctor if pain is severe, lasts more than a week, or affects walking.
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Common Causes of Foot Pain in Children
Watch: Supporting Your Growing Child
By Age Group
Age
Most Common Causes
**Toddlers (1-3)**
Learning to walk strain, flat feet (normal)
**Preschool (3-5)**
Overactivity, growing pains
**School age (5-12)**
Growing pains, sports injuries, Sever's disease
**Teens (12+)**
Sports injuries, stress fractures, overuse
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The Top Causes
1. Growing Pains
What it is: Aching pain in legs and feet, typically at night
Feature
Details
**When**
Usually evening/night
**Location**
Both feet/legs (not one-sided)
**Age**
3-12 years
**Pattern**
Comes and goes, gone by morning
Treatment:
Massage
Warm compress
Gentle stretching
Pain relief if needed
2. Sever's Disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis)
What it is: Heel pain caused by inflammation at the growth plate
Feature
Details
**Who gets it**
Active children 8-14 years
**Location**
Back of heel
**When worse**
During/after sports, walking
**Exam finding**
Tender when heel is squeezed
Treatment:
Rest from high-impact activities
Heel cushions/cups
Stretching exercises
Ice after activity
Good supportive shoes
3. Plantar Fasciitis
What it is: Inflammation of the tissue connecting heel to toes
Feature
Details
**Location**
Bottom of heel
**When worse**
First steps in morning
**Who**
Older children, especially active ones
Treatment:
Stretching exercises
Arch support
Rest from aggravating activities
Ice
4. Flat Feet
What to know:
Normal in babies and toddlers
Most children develop arches by age 6
Flat feet rarely cause pain
If painful, may need orthotics
5. Ingrown Toenails
What it is: Nail edge growing into skin
Signs:
Red, swollen toe
Pain along nail edge
May have pus
Treatment:
Soak in warm water
Keep clean and dry
Trim nails straight across
May need doctor if infected
6. Overuse/Sports Injuries
Common in active children:
Stress fractures
Tendinitis
Muscle strains
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Signs to Watch For
Concerning Signs (See Doctor)
Sign
Possible Meaning
**Limping**
Something structural may be wrong
**Swelling**
Injury or inflammation
**Redness/warmth**
Infection or inflammation
**Night pain that wakes child**
May not be growing pains
**Pain in one specific spot**
Possible fracture
**Refusal to walk**
Needs evaluation
**Pain after injury**
May need imaging
Red Flags (Seek Urgent Care)
Severe pain out of proportion to injury
Unable to bear weight
Visible deformity
Signs of infection (fever, spreading redness)
Pain not improving after 7-10 days
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Diagnosis: What to Expect
Doctor's Examination
Watch child walk
Check range of motion
Look for swelling, redness
Press on different areas
Examine shoes
Tests (If Needed)
Test
When Used
X-ray
Suspected fracture, bone abnormality
MRI
Soft tissue injury, unclear diagnosis
Blood tests
If infection or inflammation suspected
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Treatment Options
Home Care
Approach
How to Do It
**Rest**
Reduce high-impact activities
**Ice**
15-20 minutes, several times daily
**Elevation**
When resting
**Massage**
Gentle massage of affected area
**Stretching**
Calf and foot stretches
Footwear
Good Shoes
Bad Shoes
Proper fit (thumb width at toe)
Too tight or too loose
Good arch support
Flat flip-flops
Cushioned sole
Hard, thin soles
Appropriate for activity
Worn-out shoes
Medical Treatment (When Prescribed)
Pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
Custom orthotics
Physical therapy
Casting (for fractures)
Surgery (rare)
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Prevention Tips
Proper Footwear
Measure feet regularly (kids' feet grow!)
Replace worn shoes
Activity-appropriate shoes
Avoid hand-me-down shoes that are molded to another child's foot
For Active Children
Warm up before sports
Increase activity gradually
Cross-train (vary activities)
Listen to pain - rest when needed
Proper technique in sports
General
Maintain healthy weight
Regular physical activity
Stretching as part of routine
Trim toenails straight across
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When to See a Specialist
Pediatric Orthopedist
Persistent pain not responding to treatment
Structural abnormalities
After significant injury
Concern about bone or joint problems
Podiatrist
Ongoing foot-specific issues
Need for custom orthotics
Ingrown toenails requiring procedure
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My child's feet hurt after walking a lot. Is this normal?
A: Some discomfort after unusual activity can be normal. If it happens regularly with normal activity, or if there's limping, have it evaluated. Proper footwear often helps.
Q: At what age should flat feet be treated?
A: Flat feet are normal in young children. If they're painless, no treatment is needed. Painful flat feet or flat feet persisting past age 6-8 should be evaluated.
Q: Should my child wear orthotics?
A: Only if recommended by a doctor for a specific condition. Most children don't need orthotics. Well-fitting, supportive shoes are usually sufficient.
Q: Can foot pain be from the knee or hip?
A: Yes! Pain can "refer" from other areas. Hip problems, for example, can cause knee or foot pain. Your doctor will examine the whole leg.
Q: How do I know if it's growing pains or something else?
A: Growing pains typically: affect both legs, occur at night, disappear by morning, and don't cause limping. If pain is one-sided, present during the day, causes limping, or has swelling, see a doctor.
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Key Takeaways
Most foot pain is not serious - Growing pains and overuse are common
Proper shoes matter - Fit, support, and condition are important
Rest helps most cases - Reduce activity if pain is overuse-related
Watch for red flags - Limping, swelling, severe pain need evaluation
Growing pains are bilateral - One-sided pain suggests something else
Prevention works - Proper footwear, warm-ups, gradual increases
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This article was reviewed by pediatricians at Babynama. Last updated: January 2026
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