Parents often wonder whether their child should see a podiatrist when they are experiencing foot pain or signs of an emerging problem. So when exactly is it worth booking an appointment? The signs that a Podiatrist can help your child A good rule of thumb is that if your child is experiencing pain in their ankle or feet, it's a sign that you need to see your podiatrist. Pain isn't a normal sign of growth and it should be professionally assessed, diagnosed and treated where necessary. The good news is that many foot care treatments will be minimal and non-surgical in nature, designed to offer gentle remedies whilst allowing the child's normal physical development to continue unhindered. Podiatrists are also well used to working with children of all ages and are skilled at putting them (and their parents!) at ease so that the appointment can be relaxing, informative and helpful. Common conditions of the feet in children There are various common conditions of the feet and ankles in childhood which can cause a great deal of worry when they are observed by parents. Let's take a look at some examples of common foot problems in children.

1. Club feet Clubfoot tends to be noticed at birth and diagnosed via an ultrasound. The treatment begins at a week or so after birth and the baby will have a special cast fitted, which it will wear for two months, followed by medical shoes which will be worn until the child is around 4 years old.
2. Flat feet Many parents first take their chil