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Is this normal for your child's age?
Peace of mind, and help when your child needs it
When should a child see a podiatrist?
Book a check if your child has foot, heel or leg pain that keeps coming back, limps, trips much more than other children their age, still toe walks most of the time after about age 2 to 3, or has one foot or leg that looks or works differently from the other. Many things parents notice, such as flat-looking feet or feet turning in, are normal in young children and improve with time.
Signs worth a check
- Pain in the feet, heels or legs that keeps coming back, or stops them playing or doing sport
- A limp, or walking differently from usual
- Tripping or falling much more than other children their age
- Toe walking most of the time after about age 2 to 3
- One foot, leg or shoe-wear pattern that looks different from the other
- A stiff or painful flat foot, or flat feet with pain in a child 8 or older
- Ingrown toenails, warts or skin problems that aren't settling
What's often normal
- Flat-looking feet in toddlers and young children: flat feet in children
- Feet turning in (in-toeing), which usually improves by about 8 to 10: in-toeing
- Some toe walking while toddlers learn to walk: toe walking
- Heel pain after sport in active 9 to 13 year olds is common and usually settles, but is still worth checking: Sever's disease
How we can help at Burwood Podiatry
Both of our podiatrists see children. Most visits end with reassurance or a simple home plan; when more is needed, we have practical options.
- Assessment: we watch your child walk, run and hop, and check their feet, legs and shoes
- Home plans for stretching, strength and balance: strength and rehab
- Heel cups, insoles or orthotics only when they'd help
- Ingrown toenails, warts and skin care: ingrown toenails · plantar warts
- A letter to your GP if a doctor should look. More on our children's feet page
What you can do at home
- Choose shoes with a firm heel, a fastening and room to grow; check the fit every few months
- Keep them active, with some barefoot play on safe surfaces
- For pain after sport, ice for up to 20 minutes and ease off the activity that hurts
- Take a short video of how they walk if you're unsure whether something is changing
A limp with fever, a hot or swollen joint, or can't bear weight after an injury? Get same-day care. Emergency, or a foot that suddenly turns cold, pale or blue? Call 000.
Questions from parents
Is my child's walking or foot shape normal for their age?
Flat-looking feet, feet turning in and some toe walking are often normal in young children and improve with time. Book a check for pain that keeps coming back, a limp, much more tripping than other children, toe walking most of the time after about 2 to 3, or one foot that looks different.
What age can a child see a podiatrist?
Any age, including toddlers. Both of our podiatrists see children.
Do I need a referral for my child to see a podiatrist?
No. A referral is only needed if you want to claim through a GP care plan or another funded scheme.
Should my child see a GP or a podiatrist first?
Either is fine for most foot concerns. See a GP first, or get same-day care, for a limp with fever, a hot or swollen joint, pain at night, or pain after an injury.
Where to next
Sources
- Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, “Sever's disease factsheet”
- Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, “Intoeing (pigeon toes) factsheet”
- healthdirect Australia, “Flat feet (fallen arches)”
Reviewed by Burwood Podiatry · November 2026