Growing pains, heel pain, knee discomfort, recurring injuries, these are some of the most common reasons families book a podiatry appointment for a sporty child or athletic teenager.
Brisbane Foot & Orthotics regularly cares for active kids and adolescents navigating the physical demands of sport alongside the structural changes of growth.
If your child is experiencing growing pains, knee pain or recurring lower limb symptoms, a podiatry appointment can help identify what’s driving the problem and what to do next.
Growing athletes are not simply smaller versions of adults. The biomechanical, structural and loading considerations are different at every stage of development, and assessment needs to reflect that.
Families come to us because their kids are experiencing growing pains that keep flaring up around training, heel pain during pre-season, or knee discomfort in the midst of a growth spurt.
Whatever the issue, our approach centres on thorough clinical assessment and a clear explanation of what’s driving the problem. We work with you and your child to develop a management plan appropriate for their age, activity level and developmental stage.
During growth spurts, bones grow faster than the muscles and tendons attached to them, which can temporarily reduce flexibility, increase tension on growth plates and alter the way a young athlete moves under load.
A period of growth is associated with strength imbalances, coordination changes and increased susceptibility to traction injuries. This is particularly the case at the sites where tendons attach to growing bone.
Flat feet are common in adolescents and this can become more significant when a young athlete is training frequently as a flattened arch changes how load travels up through the ankle, knee and hip.
For adolescent girls, the widening pelvis changes the angle of the knee, and that shift in alignment increases the load on the kneecap during running and jumping.
Treatment recommendations depend on the diagnosis and contributing factors identified during assessment.
Services available at Brisbane Foot & Orthotics may include:
Certain conditions are more prevalent in kids and teenagers who train and compete regularly, particularly during or after periods of rapid growth. These are among the most common we assess and manage.
Sever’s disease is the primary cause of heel pain in kids aged 8 to 15. It occurs when repetitive traction from the Achilles tendon irritates the growth plate at the back of the heel bone. It is most common in running and jumping sports such as soccer, basketball and gymnastics, and symptoms are typically worse during and after sport. Sever’s disease treatment typically involves load management, footwear review and, where appropriate, kids orthotics.
Named after two surgeons, Osgood-Schlatter disease typically presents between ages 9-15 (coinciding with peak growth spurts). It’s caused by the tendon below the kneecap repeatedly pulling on the shinbone during running and jumping. This triggers swelling and irritation of the growth plate at the top of the shinbone, which can significantly affect training consistency.
Also known as runner’s knee, patellofemoral pain is one of the most common overuse conditions in adolescent athletes, causing aching around or behind the kneecap during and after sport.
Early assessment is valuable for all of these conditions. Identifying contributing factors (foot posture, footwear, alignment, training load) supports management that can reduce severity and help keep teenagers active.
Appropriately prescribed orthotics can help to ease pain and improve function. Custom foot orthotics modify how force is distributed across the foot and lower limb during activity by:
It means your child’s foot support doesn’t change with their shoes. Orthotics can be moved from school shoes to footy boots or runners, providing consistent support across training, competition and everyday footwear.
We only recommend orthotics when there is a clear clinical reason, determined by assessment of foot structure, movement patterns, symptoms and sporting demands.
Orthotics may be considered for teenagers experiencing:
Our orthotics are designed and manufactured in-house, tailored precisely to each patient’s growing feet and biomechanical profile.
One of the most common frustrations patients experience with custom orthotics is the wait time. Orthotics can take anywhere from 3–6 weeks to be manufactured and fitted, meaning treatment is delayed long after the initial appointment.
At Brisbane Foot & Orthotics, our orthotics are designed in-house, allowing for a more tailored approach and faster turnaround compared to traditional orthotic processes. This streamlined process allows us to usually have orthotics ready within 7–10 business days.
For patients dealing with heel pain, knee pain, growing pains or recurrent sporting injuries, starting treatment sooner can make a meaningful difference to comfort, activity levels and recovery.
Every pair of orthotics includes one complimentary reprint as standard, giving you confidence in your orthotics. This is designed to give families confidence that if the orthotics are not achieving their intended purpose, we can make adjustments or remake them to improve comfort, support, and function.
For example, a complimentary reprint may be appropriate if the orthotics are uncomfortable, causing irritation or blisters, worsening symptoms, or not helping improve pain or movement as expected.
Our goal is to provide reassurance that your child’s orthotics are clinically effective and comfortable, with the flexibility to refine or remake them if they are not delivering the intended outcome.
Brisbane Foot & Orthotics uses a range of diagnostic and treatment technologies to support patient care. Where appropriate, technologies may be recommended to support your treatment.
Brisbane Foot & Orthotics is happy to help kids and teens experiencing growing pains, heel pain, knee discomfort or recurring lower limb issues. We’re also here for proactive families who see the value in a foot health check as part of supporting their young athlete’s development.
