Children’s Heel Pain
/Children's Heel Pain
Heel pain is very common in active children and at its worst, can prevent them from playing the sports that they love.
The good news is that most common causes of children's heel pain can be treated effectively with a visit to Feetology Podiatry Centre.
Sever's Diesease
A common cause of children's heel pain
The most common causes of children's heel pain that we see in the clinic is a condition caused Severe's Disease.
This is when there is excessive pulling of your achilles tendon on the growth plate at the back of your heel, resulting in swelling, inflammation and pain.
It occurs in active children (soccer/ netball/ rugby/ AFL) between the ages of 9 and 13. It occurs more commonly in boys - although we do see plenty of girls with this as well.
What factors contribute to Sever's disease
Your child's foot and leg functions combined with a high level of activity can lead to extra loading on the heel bone. Other factors like footwear and flexibility can contribute and will be assessed as part of your child's treatment.
How can it be treated?
Treatment starts with a good assessment of how your child is moving, not just the feet but the whole body. Other areas that are addressed include footwear, training techniques and flexibility.
Treatment will normally consist of a combination of stretching, footwear changes/modifications and orthotics (arch supports), depending on the outcome of our assessment.
Feetology is a busy clinic and patients need to book their podiatry appointments ahead of time. With multiple practitioners and extended practising hours on Tuesdays an appointment will be available within one week.
We endeavour to meet our patient’s requirements for specific appointment times but where this is not available we maintain a waiting list of patients seeking particular appointment times to allow us to reschedule appointments where another patient changes their appointment. It is for this reason that the clinic insists on a minimum 24 hours of any changes to or cancellations of appointments.
Referrals are generally not required to access podiatry treatment. Your GP may however specifically refer you to a podiatrist for a condition they are treating you for. There are also a limited number of circumstances that require you obtain a referral from your GP prior to treatment, as follows:
- Veterans holding Department of Veterans’ Affairs gold cards
- Veterans holding Department of Veterans’ Affairs white card – where the referral specifies the injury and treatment required. White card holders require prior approval of podiatry treatment
- Individuals participating in the Medicare Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC) with chronic and complex medical needs which are managed by their GP
- Individuals receiving treatment as a result of an injury occurring in their course of their employment, i.e. Work Cover.
Most health funds offer a rebate for their patients as part of an extras package. The services covered and the values of the rebates are determined by your health fund. It is suggested that patients speak with their health fund prior to obtaining treatment to understand their individual cover. Feetology can provide you with the item codes applicable for your treatment so that you can discuss this with your health fund.
Feetology utilises both Tyro and Hicaps electronic claiming systems to process health fund rebates on the spot. Patients need to bring their health fund card to access this service.
All of our patients are required to complete a New Patient Details form before their first appointment with Feetology – even if you have a referral from your GP. This electronic form will be sent out to you to complete before your appointment. If you cannot complete the form prior to arrival, please arrive ten minutes before your appointment to give you sufficient time to complete the form. We also suggest that you bring a list of your medications and/ or details of your medical history to help you complete the form.
Patients need to bring the following items to their first podiatry appointment, as applicable to their individual circumstance:
- Come prepared to answer questions about your concern and your medical history
- Any xrays, ultrasound, MRIs or any other investigation concerning your issue
- Bring your shoes that you regularly wear – they oftern contribute to foot problems.
- If you have a referral, bring this along
- Private health insurance card if applicable
- Department of Veterans Affairs or Medicare card if you have a doctors referral
Feetology Podiatry Centre has wheel chair access to all parts of the clinic, and a ramp and disabled parking spot at the front of the building.
Podiatry is generally not covered by Medicare – with the exception of individuals under a GP management plan for Chronic Diseases. Eligibility to participate in this program is determined by your GP and requires the presence of a chronic and complex medical condition that is managed by your GP in conjunction with a team of health professionals. These consultations are charged to you at our normal fee and you can then claim your rebate from Medicare (we do have electronic claiming that allows Medicare to pay directly into your bank account).
Feetology is a busy clinic and patients need to book their podiatry appointments ahead of time. With multiple practitioners and extended practising hours on Tuesdays, an appointment will generally be available within one week.
We endeavour to meet our patient’s requirements for specific appointment times but where this is not available we maintain a waiting list of patients seeking particular appointment times to allow us to reschedule appointments where another patient changes their appointment. It is for this reason that the clinic insists on a minimum 24 hours of any changes to or cancellations of appointments.
We understand that life is unpredictable and you may not always be able to make your scheduled appointment. If you can’t make an appointment please contact our reception at least 24 hours prior to cancel or arrange for another time.
Missed appointments and appointments cancelled without 24 hours’ notice may be charged a consultation fee.
