Son's feet hurt...help

[julesmama3]

My son(9) always complains of his feet hurting when we are walking for a long time at places like amusement parks, field trips etc.

 

It makes for a miserable time. It doesn't seem to matter if his shoes are expensive or cheap. All our feet tend to be on the flat side.

 

Has anything worked for you?

[Mejane]

Have you tried using gel pads in his shoes? They help me when I have to walk a lot. There is a large selection in most pharmacies. He may need to visit an orthopedist or a podiatrist if OTC measures don't work.

[Sputterduck]

My feet have always been like that. I would think it's quite normal for feet to hurt after walking a long time. Right?

[AngieW in Texas]

Have you tried a podiatrist? My youngest has very excessive pronation. Custom orthotics have helped a lot.

 

http://www.andorrapediatrics.com/ap_folders/hand-outs/knowledge/pronation.htm

[julesmama3]

I think it's somewhat normal for your feet to hurt after walking awhile but his hurt too quickly. As I'm writing this I'm thinking of all the times he tells me his feet hurt after basketball or baseball games.

 

I'll try the gel pads and then get him into a doctor. It definitely seems abnormal.

 

Thanks!

[AK_Mom4]

DS14 used the gel pads, but they just weren't enough as he got bigger. He has flat feet with very little arch. Visiting the podiatrist and getting the custom orthotics has made a huge difference. DS14 has gone from a complaining walker to a 20-mile-with-a-full-backpack hiker!

[LauraGB]

I agree about the gel pads, or arch supports. Ds was complaining of foot pain, knee pain, and even hip pain. We took him in to the dr, and while one leg is a bit shorter than the other, the main problem was that his arches had fallen. The dr said rather than spend a ton on orthopedic inserts, just buy some good arch supports. He also said Nike (and another brand of shoe that I can't presently remember) have good supports built in. So, we went with Nike and arch supports (and put them in all his other shoes), and have had absolutely no more complaints from ds.

[TKDmom]

I had this problem when I was his age. When I was 11, I went on a 10-mile walk and was convinced that I had shin splints afterward. My mom got me to a podiatrist, and he was shocked at how lax the ligaments in my feet were. I have arches--they just disappear as soon as I put weight on my feet. He fitted me with custom orthotics, which have been a great help. I can't be on my feet for any length of time without them.

[Robin M]

Definitely get him some arch supports if he has flat feet. My son's arches started collapsing which was the reason one foot started turning outward.

 

After walking long periods of time, feet are going to hurt anyway. When I know we are going to be walking alot - take tylenol before we go.

[justamouse]

Orthotics are the only thing that helped my three flat footers.

[mcconnellboys]

I agree with what others have said about inserts. My guys all three have problem feet for a variety of reasons. Wearing inserts that give a better, higher arch support may be helpful to him. You may need shoes a half size larger to allow for those (depending on the type of shoe).

[Trish]

Definitely get him some arch supports if he has flat feet. My son's arches started collapsing which was the reason one foot started turning outward.

 

After walking long periods of time, feet are going to hurt anyway. When I know we are going to be walking alot - take tylenol before we go.

 

Where do you get arch supports?

[Ottakee]

If you can get in to an orthopedist, that would likely be your best bet for getting inserts, etc. Since he is growing though you likely will need several sets over the next few years.

 

Another option is to go to a good running store and have them fit him for shoes. They offer many different types and brands of shoes. They will watch him walk and look closely at his foot, etc. to figure out what type of shoe would fit him the best.

[Trish]

But people suggested arch supports INSTEAD of going to the podiatrist -- or do you have to see a podiatrist whether you want orthotics or arch supports? I'd like to try the cheaper route first!

[Dobela]

My son has wide, flat feet. We take him to a New Balance store and see a Pedorthist. They then fit him into shoes. One thing that has helped him most has been making certain that the sole of the shoe is almost a full rectangle - none of those angles in near the middle of the foot. If the shoe curves in at all in the middle, support is lost. Just looking for that in a shoe has made a huge difference. We will likely do inserts next.

[LauraGB]

But people suggested arch supports INSTEAD of going to the podiatrist -- or do you have to see a podiatrist whether you want orthotics or arch supports? I'd like to try the cheaper route first!

 

I guess it would depend on what is causing the pain. In our case, it wasn't the discrepancy between the leg lengths, it was actually the arch issue. I suppose with other circumstances it would be best to seek a specialized opinion. But I would sure try the orthotic inserts from the department store or pharmacy for $10 before I went to the specialist for substantially more.

[Hen]

I would go first to a podiatrist, who might be able to pinpoint what problem you are dealing with and how best to handle it. I went to one when it suddenly hurt to walk on one foot- the reason, I never would have figured out-but it was fixed pretty easily.

[mktkcb]

I would get the boy some boy-looking crocs. They are very light to throw in the backpack or whatever you take to wherever you are, and are nice to switch out of from regular shoes. Crocs make feet VERY happy :o). JMO.

[AngieW in Texas]

That's funny. The first thing the podiatrist said to my dd was "no more crocs." Crocs were the only shoes she wore from 9yo-11yo. She hated switching to sneakers, but that's what she needed.

[mcconnellboys]

My husband has gone both routes. He's seen a podiatrist. The inserts they prescribe are generally hard inserts made specifically for you. I'm not sure what they'd do with a child. He also has gone to various stores that offer orthotics. Those are also pretty pricey. And he has gone to Wal-mart and bought various inserts to try on his own. This is the least expensive method and these are actually the inserts that he's using most often right now.

 

My older son has ordered special narrow shoes, and has used some of the Wal-mart type inserts in past. He has not seen a podiatrist. His pediatrician recommended only the store bought type inserts for him. He's currently favoring fashion over comfort and wearing Toms, which provide no support at all. He admits they are painful, but he's willing to put up with it, LOL....

 

My younger son does not have the flat fee and narrow heels of the other two, but he has club feet. We have to buy his shoes a little longer to allow for his rather curved foot front. But we don't have to worry with arch supports for him, at least at this point in his life, according to his doctors at Shriner's. So lots of folks who have even what we might consider pretty severe foot issues can get by with store bought options for shoes and inserts. I think it might be cheaper to try one or two of these options first; you can always make a doctor's appointment later.

[sonsmama]

My son just got orthotics for his very flat feet.

[Shawneinfl]

We opted for surgery for my dd whose flat feet started causing her ankle pain at age 10. She didn't want to end up like her grandmother who can barely walk now. She had titanium sub-talar implants put in and is now pain (and orthotic) free. One of the reasons we opted for surgery is that we live in Florida and girls iust do not wear closed shoes around here. Getting her to wear her orthotics enough to make a difference would have been near impossible. We are very happy with the results.