Podiatry Services for Children
Experienced Children’s Podiatrist
When it comes to the most common source of injury in soccer, Hills Sports Medicine (Podiatry) has you covered. With our expertise on children’s foot health and functionality we make sure that their feet are healthy for play!
Our team has worked with NSW soccer and the NSWIS academies for over 10 years - we are experienced in treating numerous child foot problems especially those found within junior players. We've been A League podiatrist for over 10 years and are currently the physicians caring for Sydney FC as well as Central Coast Mariners - who both compete at higher levels of competition than most other teams do! 80% of injury severity rating was due to lower limb injuries during 2014 season. With us being such professionals when it comes down to healthcare treatment options you can be sure your boy or girl will receive only top-notch care.
We Provide a Range of Foot Care Alternatives
If your child is suffering from heel pain, Hills Sports Medicine (Podiatry) has the expertise to diagnose and treat it. This condition often occurs due to growing development but can be easily managed without needing extended rest time. Our team has seen many types of foot condition imaginable, and we're always on hand to give advice, diagnose, treat, and prevent the condition. If your little one experiences any signs or symptoms that could mean they have Severs Disease, then don't hesitate - make an appointment today.
Our trained team offers solutions for common childhood foot problems, including the following;
- Heel Pain/Severs Disease
- Flat Feet
- Tendonitis
- Knee pain/Osgood Schlatter’s Disease
- Shin splints/pain
- Growing pains and aching legs at night-time
- Blisters
- Plantar fasciitis
- Chronic ankle sprains
- Ingrown toenails
When you need professional, friendly services that will help your child get back into playing soccer or other physically demanding activities - let our team at Hills Sports Medicine (Podiatry) of Sydney take care of it for him/her!
Caring Podiatrists
Hills Sports Medicine (Podiatry) offers the most comprehensive range of foot care services in the Sydney area. Our team members are qualified and willing to serve your child, they belong to both the Australian Podiatric Association as well Sports Medicine Australia where all our staff have completed ongoing education on how best treat injuries like those that occur while playing professional sports! In addition, some of our members have played professional sports which means we know what it really feels like when your child is injured.
Our team of experienced professionals is committed to providing your child with up-to date equipment and effective methods for treatment. With our experience being in professional soccer clubs including Central Coast Mariners & Sydney FC, we will help athletes suffering from sport related injuries.
We know how much your child loves playing sports, so we'll do everything in our power to make sure he or she stays healthy.
Flat Feet
The term "flat foot" is often used to describe a large amount of pronation or rolling at the ankle and midfoot. The arch height in these cases can be lower than average, leading many people with this condition have bulging inside their ankles.
When you walk, your feet naturally pronate and flatten, the body’s natural shock absorber. However, if this happens too much or at the wrong time during natural walking cycle then it can be problematic for both health reasons as well aesthetically. Your feet can look normal and appear to have regular arch height while standing but can still flatten or pronate excessively.
Flat or excessively pronated feet are associated with several lower limb overuse syndromes/pains including heel pain, ankle problems and shin splints. However, having a foot that has excessive pronation or flat foot is not an issue by itself, the problem is a combination of flat feet and the level/type of activity which can cause the injury or pain.
If you have a flat foot and are experiencing symptoms related to the condition, then treatment should be initiated right away. For some customers show foot mechanics so severe we recommend treating without any signs, specially if their activity levels include high-risk like running, football, basketball etc. This decision is made based on walking/running biomechanics assessment along with client's own activity levels.
When you have flat feet, the right shoes can make all of our lives better. Not only do they help us avoid injury but also promote lifelong comfort when exercising while reducing chances for another painful repeat experience!
Ingrown Toenails
An ingrown nail (Onychocryptosis) occurs when a portion of the nail creates an edge that is jagged and starts to protrude into surrounding tissue. This can be caused by cutting nails incorrectly, direct trauma to the area, running with poorly fitted footwear which causes excessive rubbing against your feet.
Ingrown toenails are one of the most common reasons clients seek out podiatry services. Ingrown toenails should never be ignored. They may sometimes require antibiotics, but this is only temporary relief for the problem and does nothing in terms of solving it long-term, so you must get rid of that pesky spicule!
We provide the following solutions:
- Removing spicule. Nail retraining is a vital part of solving your nail problem. If you don't do this, the spicules will come back and cause problems later on down the line!
- If you are experiencing nail problems that do not seem to be getting better with time, surgery may be an option. In this case a small area of the nails on one or both feet will need minor surgical removal using strong alcohol solution so as prevent any regrowth in those regions and have high success rates according to studies conducted by experts all over world-wide, a success rate of over 95%.
- We also provide advice to avoid reappearance of the problem.
Plantar Warts
Verrucae Pedis, also known as Plantar Warts, is a viral infection that can occur on either children or adults at the bottom of the foot. They're caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which leads to benign lesions of skin cells growth. One of more common types and it’s the same one which turns into warts found on the hand and other areas of the body. It's transmitted via water molecules from person-to hand contact with others who carry this type too through tiny cuts or breaks in the skin surface. The main reason these are transmitted are by walking bare feet in the public space such has public toilets, locker rooms or even swimming in public swimming pools.
Plantar warts can be painful and feel like a rock under the foot when walking if they are on pressure point of your feet. Their appearance is also quite unpleasant with tiny pigments throughout plantar wart's skin that gives it an appearance similar to cauli flower; this could explain why these lesions often difficult treat than ones occurring elsewhere on hands or faces because they extend deep below skin level.
We provide the following solutions:
- Hills Sports Medicine (Podiatry) is the home of some serious foot care. We use three different techniques founded on evidence-based research and our own experience which have been demonstrated as most effective for removing warts quickly with minimal pain relief necessary! Our strict protocol includes monthly visits, Cryotherapy being one such technique - it's proven to be quite successful when combined within this treatment plan (liquid nitrogen).
- We also provide advice to avoid reappearance of the problem.
Children’s Footwear
Athletic Footwear
The correct athletic footwear is determined based on the following:
- The kind of sport/physical activity
- The person’s foot biomechanics
- The proper footwear brand and style that fits your foot shape/size best
We provide the following solutions:
- Proper information in relation to choosing the correct footwear
General Footwear
The features of good footwear:
- A snug fit with a firm heel at the back for the foot so prevents slippage while playing sports/activity
- A lace up or Velcro type at the forefoot.
- Correct size shoes i.e depth and width at the toes. Ensure there’s a small gap between the tip of the long toe and end of the shoe.
- A good cushioning, stability, flexibility sole at the forefoot with non-slip outer sole.
Growing Pains
An irritation of the growth plat at the heel bone is called a Sever’s Disease which is common in active females aged 9 to 12 years old and boys from 11 to 13 years old. This is usually caused by tightened muscles, incorrect footwear, bad foot function and activity. Sever’s Disease can cause substantial amount of pain for the younger patients, although it reacts very good to treatment.
We provide the following solutions:
- Identify the issue
- Determine cause
- Information regarding stretching and exercise
- Information regarding footwear
- Support with orthotics if needed
In-Toeing
Pigeon Toes also knows as In-Toeing is a condition when the toes are pointing inwards while walking. This is common in the younger children and infants who had issues with hip positioning and lower leg or foot. In-Toeing creates difficulty while walking such as extreme leg fatigue and tripping. Is come cases this lessens as the infant and children grow up.
We provide the following solutions:
- Identify the issue
- Information regarding stretching
- Support with orthotics if needed
Out-Toeing
When the toes are rotating outward extremely while walking, this is condition is called Out-Toeing which is secondary to the hip, lower leg or foot positioning. This does not prove to be an issue, but it will stop an individual from walking and standing due to the leg muscles being tired.
We provide the following solutions:
- Identify the issue
- Information regarding stretching
- Support with orthotics if needed
Have the professionals care for your children’s foot conditions effectively.
