I read a request awhile back from a mom whose child was having feet pain and I can't find it so I'll ask again. My son is 4 yrs old. He's been complaining of feet pain for several months. I've bought many different shoes always thinking it is his shoes, but it hasn't helped. If he walks for a long time like at the zoo or the mall or something like that it becomes very apparent even without him saying that his feet hurt that they do indeed hurt. Lately he's saying his knees and lower legs hurt too. I don't want to take him to our pediatrician to pay for that and have his say that he should go see an orthopedic or a podiatrist. Has anyone had similar complaints from their children or does anyone know where I should take him?
He does have pains in his legs at night that I have written off as growing pains. But recently he started complaining about the leg pain during the day.
Thank you. C. (____@____.com)
I'd start with the pediatrician because he/she will know what type of specialist you need to see. Self-diagnosing could cost you more time and money in the long run.
Hi C.,
I would have checked it out because it has been going on for several months, not only for a couple of days.
I waited to go to a doctor when my son fell, he complained and refused to walk (was 2,5 years). After 4 days I finally went to an orthopedic and it turned out his there was a tear in his knee cap. He had to wear a cast for 6 weeks, and was perfectly fine after that. But boy, did I feel guilty… Me with my big mouth “it comes by it self, it will go by itself”. So because it is several months with your son, I would go to see a doctor.
Why don’t you skip the pediatrician and go directly to an orthopedic? Is that not possible? It doesn’t sound like growing pains to me. I remember having growing pains, but that were my shins. Is he always walking bare feet at home?
Good luck, and let us know.
I.
This might not be the problem at all, but do the complaints happen around or after bed time at all? My mother mentioned that I had bad growing pains, but more specifically in my leg and shin areas. Again, this might not be your problem at all. Hope he feels better soon.
My 3 1/2 year old complains often that his "bones hurt" which I attribute to growing pains. I think any child is worth taking to a doctor to make sure it is nothing more.
My son was a toe walker...mentioned before....anyway his pediatrician refered him to Scottish Rite for an exam. Maybe you should mention it to his pediatrician or mine is Dr Salamon in Plano.
I never had this problem with my kids but my neighobr friend had this with her little girl. We found out that she doesnt have an arch in her foot like most people. Her feet are flat. So when she would wear shoes that had arches made in them that her feet and legs would hurt from it. She didn't complain of her feet hurting when she wore flats or flip flops.
Her mom took her to the Ped first and they are now working on the solution.
i have never heard of it in kids, but i have had plantar faceitis (sp) several times in my life...causing excruiating pain in the heels and up the legs...basically the muscle in your heel that attaches to the bottom of the toes gets tight when you are sleeping and when you stand and walk all day it stretches out causing breakage and pain...i had to have cortico steroid shots in both heels...not fun...but i didnt know kids could have this...something to check into...good luck
M.
Cindy asked exactly what I was going to ask. I had really bad growing pains, too. I remember them when I was 9 or 10 and crying in bed at night because my lower legs hurt.
I work in a therapy clinic for kids and sometimes our PT will see kids having pain in there legs and feet if they are toe walkers, which means they are always on there toes and also they may have tight heel cords which can also cause pain...just some ideas for you to think about.
My son's feet started to hurt when he was almost 3. Now he's is 4.5 years old, and on average of 3 nights/week, he has severe feet pain that wakes him at night crying which require 45 min. or longer massaging of his feet so he can fall asleep. It used to happen only at night, but he started to complain at nap time at his preschool, too. I've taken him to the pediatrician, pediatric orthopedic doctor, and sleep doctor but they pretty much said it was growing pain without physically examining his feet. Now his knees started to hurt during the night, too. I am at a loss right now. I've bought many expensive shoes (doctors' recommendation) but none helps. I've heard of Kohler's disease, where the bone is somehow deformed and causes pain in children. Have you looked into that? I know that's not my son has from the symptoms...but I'm taking him to get an x-ray, just in case, tomorrow. Hope you will find some answers... Good luck.
