Kid’s Feet and Leg Pain: What’s Really Going On?

When your child says their feet or legs hurt, it’s natural to worry. You want to know if it’s serious, if it will go away or if it will keep them from running, playing and just being a kid. The truth is that many children experience aches and pains due to growth, play, and physical activity. Most of the time, these aches are nothing serious and can be managed with the right care.

Whether your child is just learning to walk, running around the playground or playing sports seriously, foot and leg pain can happen for several reasons. Understanding what’s causing the pain and what you can do about it will help you support your child to stay comfortable and active.

Why Are Their Feet or Legs Hurting?

They’ve Been Busy Being Kids

From toddlers taking their first steps to teenagers training hard for sports, kids put a lot of pressure on their feet and legs. It’s no surprise they get sore sometimes. Trips, falls, bumps and bruises are part of growing up. Overdoing it at sports practice, dancing, cycling or just being on their feet all day can lead to aches and soreness.

Many kids won’t always tell you right away when something hurts, so keep an eye out for signs like limping, rubbing their feet or complaining more than usual.

Their Feet Might Not Be Helping

Some kids have foot shapes or walking patterns that put extra strain on muscles and joints. Flat feet, high arches or uneven leg lengths can cause pain not just in the feet but also up the legs, knees or back. This happens because the body has to compensate for the imbalance, which can lead to discomfort or even injury over time. However, these anomalies are common AND NORMAL in most children and rarely require treatment in the absence of symptoms.

Wearing shoes that don’t fit properly or don’t offer enough support can cause problems. Hand-me-down shoes or shoes that look good but don’t fit well are a common culprit.

Could It Be Something More Serious?

While most foot and leg pain in kids is harmless, sometimes it can be a sign of something needing medical attention. If your child’s pain is severe, gets worse over time, or comes with swelling, redness, warmth, fever or difficulty walking, it’s important to get professional advice quickly.

Conditions like juvenile arthritis or infections, though rare, require early diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications.

When Should You Get Help?

You don’t need to rush to a clinic for every ache, but certain signs mean you should get help:

• Limping or favouring one leg
• Pain that lasts more than a few days or gets worse
• Pain that wakes your child at night or stops them sleeping
• Swelling, redness or warmth around joints or feet
• Difficulty walking or keeping up with friends at school or sports
• Fever or other signs of illness alongside the pain

If you notice any of these, booking an assessment with a podiatrist or healthcare professional is the best move.

What Happens at a Podiatry Assessment?

At Epsom Footcare, we take the time to listen and understand what your child is experiencing. We’ll look at how your child walks and stands, check foot structure and joint movement and ask about activities and any injuries.

Sometimes we use tools to analyse their gait or recommend further tests if needed. The goal is to find out exactly what’s causing the pain and come up with a plan to help your child feel better.

How Do We Treat Musculoskeletal Pain in Kids?

Treatment varies depending on the cause but usually includes:

• Rest and modifying activities so your child can heal without losing fitness
• Exercises to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility and balance, tailored to your child’s age and needs
• Supportive footwear or orthotics to improve foot function and reduce strain
• Pain relief advice suitable for children, if needed
• Referral to specialists for rare or complex conditions

We also help families with advice on injury prevention and how to support healthy foot development.

Why Now? Why The Holidays?

The summer holidays are a great time to seek help for your child’s foot or leg pain. They’re not in school all day, so it’s easier to schedule appointments and your child can rest as needed without missing lessons. Starting treatment during the break means they’ll be ready to return to school, sports, and play without pain holding them back.

Ignoring or delaying treatment can make problems worse, leading to longer recovery times and more frustration for your child.

At Epsom Footcare, we want every child, whether they’re toddling around or playing competitive sport, to move comfortably and confidently. If your child is complaining of foot or leg pain, don’t wait.

Ed Double, our musculoskeletal podiatrist, is fantastic with children of all ages and has extensive experience in supporting healthy, comfortable movement throughout every stage of growth.

Book a consultation for your child online or contact our dedicated Patient Care Team on 01372 723000.