• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
Get our Newsletter

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Login Pelcro Shop

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Schools
      • Property
      • Work & Finance
      • For Guys
      • Environment
      • Readers’ Choice Awards
        • the-mindful-campWhat’s On: Things to do, what’s new and more
        • horoscopes for julyHoroscopes for February 2023!
        • SAS American curriculum cheersWhich is the best international school curriculum for your child?
        • candle holders jewellery shopShop for a Valentine’s Day gift at Cluny Court!
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • horoscopes for julyHoroscopes for February 2023!
        • answers to puzzle expatlivingPuzzle Page answers for February 2023!
        • HYDRADASH55 Best Things To Do In Singapore
        • Singapore islands trips8 Singapore islands for easy day trips!
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • SAS American curriculum cheersWhich is the best international school curriculum for your child?
        • sawing wood Dulwich College experiential learningGreat outdoor education at international schools in SG!
        • stroller rental singapore Wee WhizzStroller rental in Singapore plus car seats & baby carriers!
        • HYDRADASH55 Best Things To Do In Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Decor
      • Readers’ Homes
      • Furniture
        • ArtifactHome News: New furniture, home décor & services
        • Originals best sofaWhere to buy a sofa in Singapore
        • Orignals s26 of the best furniture stores in Singapore with online shopping!
        • cleaningHome Cleaning services in Singapore, helpers, housekeeping & more
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Asia
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Rest Of World
      • News
      • Travel Offers
        • The-AnamTravel News & Hotel Deals
        • holidays in marrakechHoliday 2023 – Chinese zodiac signs & your best destination!
        • bali villas where to stay in baliA gorgeous new villa in Canggu, perfect for family time!
        • borneoHiking in Kuching and Miri: Trails to add to your bucket list
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • Maple-Apple-TartNew Nibbles: Foodie news!
        • Afterglow by Anglow vegan30 fantastic vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Singapore
        • Nutritionist Singapore with her family eating healthy plant based dietHer Story: Aleksandra talks healthy food
        • Kopi breakfastAll you need to know about kopi
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
      • Beauty Offers
        • Charlotte-TilburyBeauty news: New beauty products, makeup and more!
        • more-than-diamondsFashion News and Sales in Singapore!
        • luxury spas in singaporeLuxury spas in Singapore – Massages & treatments to try!
        • innerfyre featureValentine’s Day gifts, ideas and jewellery!
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • yogaHealth News: What’s up!
        • luxury spas in singaporeLuxury spas in Singapore – Massages & treatments to try!
        • sexual health relationships and sti'sHow to talk about sexual health – relationships, sexuality and STIs
        • teethHere’s how a dental implant can improve your life
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • BOOKS
    • Close

Kids’ foot conditions: How a podiatrist can help

21st September 2022 by Amy Greenburg 3 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/podiatrist-in-singapore-heel-pain-flat-feet-in-children/

From heel pain to flat feet, foot problems can occur in even the littlest of patients. Here, podiatrists in Singapore share some of the top paediatric foot conditions they treat at their podiatry clinic. Plus, learn the signs to look for if you’re a parent.

Flat feet, in-toeing and heel pain

As chief podiatrists at Straits Podiatry (a member of Healthway Medical), DR SAW YU TING and MR JACKIE TEY treat patients of all ages with ailments affecting the lower limbs. This includes everything from plantar fasciitis, heel pain and bunions to chronic ankle pain, ankle sprains and arthritis.

Children, they say, are affected by many of the same foot conditions as adults. In fact, kids are even more likely to be affected by some conditions, due to the rapid rate at which their bodies are growing and their active lifestyles.

While it’s possible for children to “grow out of” some conditions, they recommend early assessment by a podiatrist to determine the underlying cause. This can also help prevent pain and further problems down the line. For instance, in-toeing – where the toes point inward toward the centre of the body, instead of outward, while walking – can cause frequent tripping and falling, increasing the risk of injury. In many cases, treatment can be as simple as wearing custom insoles.

Dr Saw and Mr Tey say that kids can also benefit from early intervention in cases of flat feet – where the arch of the foot isn’t curved. Besides pain (commonly mistaken by parents as “growing pains”), flat feet can cause difficulties with muscular balance and coordination. Early intervention with custom insoles, or even braces in more severe cases, can provide greater stability, relieve pain and prevent problems down the line.

Paediatric heel pain, or Sever’s disease, is another common condition experienced by active children. Although this resolves when the growth plate at the heel bone fuses – usually between age 10 and 14 – custom insoles and other treatments by a podiatrist can relieve the pain and allow the child to participate in sports and other activities.

podiatrist in Singapore flat feet heel pain

Parents: Here’s what you can do!

There are certain signs that can indicate foot conditions in children, and some are more obvious than others. With flat feet, for instance, the foot itself can be checked for any indications. The easiest way is by looking at their footprints – for example, after swimming; a normal footprint will have a concave curvature along the inside of the foot, whereas a flat foot will have either a convex curvature or no curvature at all.

There are more subtle signs that can point to paediatric flat feet, Sever’s disease, in-toeing and other foot conditions. They include the following:

  • Complaints of aches and pains under the feet or at the back of the legs after activity. (This is particularly common in paediatric flat feet patients aged from four to nine.)
  • Persistent requests to be carried or seated in a stroller during walks. This is a not-so-obvious way for little ones to avoid the pain from walking with flat feet.
  • Tiring easily, especially when going for long walks frequent tripping and falling.
  • Common complaints of heel pain, especially after activity.
  • Limping.
  • Walking on toes.
  • Difficulties walking barefooted.
  • Difficulties resting heels on hard surfaces even when seated.
  • “W” or kneel sitting positions, which can lead to in-toeing.

When to see a podiatrist in Singapore

Dr Saw and Mr Tey recommend visiting a podiatry clinic if children show any of these signs. Consulting a podiatrist, they say, can not only help alleviate your child’s pain but can also help prevent problems later on in childhood and adulthood. Additionally, they encourage parents to pay attention to the walking patterns of their children between the ages of two and five to identify any early signs of in-toeing.

Straits Podiatry Child & Adult Lower Limb Clinic
1 Rochester Drive, #02-01
6990 4574 | straitspodiatry.com

 

This article first appeared in the September 2022 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!

Get the latest events, stories and special offers
sent to your inbox.

By signing up, you'll receive our weekly newsletters and offers, which you can unsubscribe to anytime.

Categories: Health & Fitness Medical Tags: flat feet foot problems podiatrist podiatry Straits Podiatry

Amy Greenburg

Originally from Los Angeles, Amy is passionate about Netflix, sipping rosé at rooftop bars, travelling, and all things health and wellness-related. She enjoys learning about different health topics through her writing, particularly critical health conditions, food allergies, alternative therapies, and pregnancy and postpartum-related issues

You May Also Like

Here’s how a dental implant can improve your life

Exploring Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture

life insurance for expats

The best life insurance policies for expats in 2023

Primary Sidebar

  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2023 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.