Conditions + Treatments

FOOT + ANKLE

Our Difference

receive some of the best care available in the UK

Our team have broad experience in the successful treatment of a range of foot + ankle problems, addressing both young and sports related injuries as well as those relating to trauma, disease process and genetics.

We are well placed to manage and treat a diverse range of foot + ankle problems utilising cutting edge diagnostic technology and treatment approaches, both surgical and conservative.

Conditions + Treatments

Below is an outline of some of the major paediatric orthopaedics disorders that we specialise in, but typically most paediatric orthopaedic conditions that warrant a specialist referral can be successfully investigated through our team.

If your child is suffering from any orthopaedic or sport issue and are looking for definitive medical support then please let us know.

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Common Paediatric Conditions

Abnormal gait / foot position

Tip toeing is a common behaviour in children when they walk on their toes, which may be normal in younger kids but can sometimes indicate an underlying issue if it persists.
In toeing, often caused by femoral anteversion, is a condition where the feet turn inward when walking, and it is common in paediatric patients.
Out toeing can result from conditions like tibial torsion or metatarsus adductus in children, causing the feet to point outward when walking.

Clubfoot / CTEV – Congenital Talipes Equino Varus

Antenatal diagnosis refers to the detection of clubfoot in a baby before birth, allowing for early planning and intervention.
Ponseti Treatment involves a non-surgical approach for clubfoot correction in infants, primarily utilising casting techniques.
Recurrent clubfoot may require a combination of casting and surgical procedures in paediatric patients to address the condition effectively.

Apophysis Injuries

Sever’s Disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis, is a common condition in children characterised by heel pain due to inflammation of the growth plate in the heel bone.
The fifth metatarsal is one of the long bones in the foot, and injuries to this bone, particularly at the base, can occur in paediatric patients, leading to conditions like fractures or stress fractures.

Pes Planus / Flat feet

Pes Planus, commonly known as flat feet, is a condition in paediatric patients where the arches of the feet are flattened, causing the entire sole to come into contact with the ground.

Metatarsus Adductus

Metatarsus Adductus is a condition in paediatric patients where the front part of the foot (metatarsals) is turned inward, causing the foot to appear curved or “C-shaped.”

Fractures and Dislocations

Salter Harris fractures or growth plate injuries

Salter-Harris fractures are injuries to the growth plate area of a child’s bone and are categorised into five types, each varying in severity and impact on future bone growth.

Triplane fractures

Triplane fractures in paediatric patients involve fractures of the distal tibia that can affect multiple planes of the bone, typically occurring in adolescents.

Ankle

Ankle injuries in paediatric patients may involve the distal fibula and can result from various causes, including sports-related activities or accidents.

Metatarsal stress fractures

Metatarsal stress fractures are common in paediatric patients, particularly in athletes, and involve small cracks in the metatarsal bones of the foot.

Toe fractures

Toe fractures can occur in paediatric patients due to trauma or accidents, leading to pain, swelling, and limited mobility in the affected toe.

Avulsion Injuries

Medial and lateral

Medial and lateral refer to the inner (medial) and outer (lateral) sides of the foot and ankle in paediatric patients.

Tarsal bone

Tarsal bones are the bones of the midfoot and hindfoot, including the calcaneus (heel bone), talus, navicular, cuboid, and cuneiform bones, which collectively contribute to the foot’s structure and function in children.

Ligament Injuries

Lateral ligament complex injuries

Lateral ligament complex injuries in paediatric patients involve damage to the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle and can result from sprains or trauma.

Deltoid ligament

The deltoid ligament is a strong ligament on the inner side of the ankle, providing stability to the joint in paediatric patients.

Tendon Injuries

Calf tightness

Calf tightness can be a common issue in paediatric patients, causing discomfort and limiting mobility in the lower leg muscles.

Sesamoiditis

Sesamoiditis is a condition in which the sesamoid bones in the foot become inflamed, leading to pain and tenderness, often seen in children.

Achilles tendinopathy

Achilles tendinopathy refers to injuries or inflammation of the Achilles tendon in paediatric patients, which can cause pain and discomfort in the back of the ankle.

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a condition involving inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue on the sole of the foot, leading to heel pain in children.

Cartilage Injuries

Osteochondritis Dissecans

Osteochondritis Dissecans is a joint condition seen in paediatric patients, where a piece of bone and cartilage becomes detached from the joint surface, causing pain and limited joint movement.

Osteochondral Defects

Osteochondral Defects refer to areas of damaged or missing cartilage and underlying bone in joints, which can impact joint function and may require treatment in children.

ACCESSORY BONES

Os navicular

Os navicular is a small bone in the foot, commonly known as the navicular bone, which plays a role in the foot’s structure and function in paediatric patients.

Os Trigonum

Os Trigonum is an accessory bone sometimes found in the foot that can cause pain and discomfort in children if it doesn’t fuse properly with other bones.

Os peroneum

Os peroneum is a small bone in the foot, located within the peroneus longus tendon, and can be a source of pain or injury in paediatric patients.

FOOT SHAPE DEFORMITIES

Pes planus

Pes planus, also known as flat foot, is a condition where the arches of the feet in children are flattened, causing the entire sole to come into contact with the ground.

Tarsal Coalitions

Tarsal Coalitions are abnormal fusions of two or more tarsal bones in the foot, leading to limited foot movement and pain in paediatric patients.

Pes cavus

Pes cavus is a condition in children where the foot has a high arch, potentially causing stability and balance issues.

TOE DEFORMITIES

Bunion

Bunion, also known as Hallux Valgus, is a deformity of the big toe joint, often causing a painful lump on the side of the foot in paediatric patients.

Hallux varus

Hallux varus is a deformity of the big toe that causes it to point inward, affecting the alignment of the toe in children.

Bunionettes

Bunionettes are similar to bunions but occur on the outside of the foot at the base of the fifth toe, leading to discomfort in paediatric patients.

Hammer toe

Hammer toe is a deformity of the toe joints in children, causing them to bend abnormally, resembling a hammer.

Mallet toe

Mallet toe is a deformity of the toe joint in children, causing the toe to bend downward at the end joint.

Curly toes

Curly toes refer to a condition where the toes are twisted or curled inwards, affecting their alignment in paediatric patients.

Clinodactyly, Syndactyly, and Polydactyly

Clinodactyly, Syndactyly, and Polydactyly are congenital conditions involving finger or toe abnormalities such as curved digits, fused digits, or extra digits in children.

NAIL DISORDERS INCLUDING INGROWING NAIL

Nail Disorders

Nail disorders, including ingrown nails, can affect the health and appearance of children’s nails.

Freibergs infraction

Freiberg's Infraction

Freiberg’s Infraction is a condition that can lead to damage in the metatarsal head of the foot, often causing pain and discomfort in paediatric patients.