From flat feet and growing pains to Sever’s disease and in-toeing, a practical guide for Dubai
parents on children’s foot health, what’s normal at every age, and when to see a pediatric
podiatrist.
Most parents don’t think about their child’s feet until something is clearly wrong. But the foundation built in the early years directly affects their knees, hips, posture, and physical confidence well into adulthood.
A child’s foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments, all still developing. In Dubai, where children spend hours on hard marble floors, wear flat sandals year-round, and train intensively at sports academies, their feet are under greater demand than almost anywhere else. The right assessment at the right time can prevent years of compensatory pain.
WHAT’S NORMAL AT EACH AGE?
And by normal we mean average – all children are different
Birth to 18 months
All newborns have flat feet. The arch is hidden beneath a natural fat pad and won’t be visible until the child is standing and walking. This is entirely normal.
18 months to 3 years
Wide-based gait, bowed legs, and inward-turning feet are developmentally expected. Most self-correct naturally as muscles and tendons strengthen with use.
3 to 6 years
The arch continues to develop. Knock knees are common and normal. A quick reassurance check: if the arch appears when your child rises on tiptoes, the flat foot is almost certainly benign and self-correcting.
6 to 10 years
By age 6–8, the foot’s bony structure is largely established. This is the key window for identifying anything unlikely to self-correct. Persistent flat feet that cause pain or limit activity beyond this age deserve proper assessment.
Adolescence Growth spurts create significant mechanical stress on developing feet and lower limbs. Heel pain, particularly Sever’s disease, is very common in active children aged 8–14. As sports participation intensifies in Dubai’s competitive academies, so does overuse injury risk.
THE MOST COMMON CHILDREN’S FOOT CONDITIONS WE SEE IN DUBAI
Sever’s is self-limiting but children should not have to endure the pain. With proper management, heel cushioning, stretching, activity modification, and orthotics where needed, most children continue playing sport comfortably.
In-Toeing (pigeon toes)
Extremely common and usually resolves without intervention by age 8. However, in-toeing that is severe, clearly asymmetric, causes frequent tripping, or persists beyond age 9–10 warrants a proper gait assessment from a pediatric podiatrist.
Toe Walking
Normal in toddlers up to around age 2–3. Persistent toe walking beyond age 3 — or a regression in a child who previously walked normally — should be assessed. It can signal neurological conditions, a shortened Achilles tendon, or tight calf muscles.
Ingrown Toenails
Common in children and teenagers after growth spurts, with tight shoes, or following incorrect nail trimming. Recurrent without addressing the cause. Podiatric management resolves the immediate problem and prevents recurrence.
Plantar Warts
Spread easily in swimming pool and gym changing room environments — a very Dubai problem given the volume of swimming lessons and club sport. Painful when walking, with multiple effective treatment options available through podiatry.
THE DUBAI FACTOR
Dubai children face specific foot health challenges that make early assessment particularly valuable. Year-round flat sandals on hard marble floors provide no arch support or shock absorption. Intensive sports academy training from a young age places significant load on developing feet. And long hours on hard flat surfaces in homes, schools, and malls — unlike the varied terrain children walk on in other environments — create cumulative stress on the foot and lower limb.
When should you see a pediatric podiatrist in Dubai?
Bring your child for a podiatry assessment if they:
- Complain of regular foot, heel, knee, or leg pain
- Have an unusual gait — limping, toe walking, or noticeably asymmetric movement
- Avoid physical activity or tire faster than peers
- Show uneven shoe wear, especially between left and right
- Have flat feet with associated symptoms after age 6
- Have in-toeing or out-toeing persisting beyond age 8–9
- Have heel pain during or after sport
- Are a teenager with foot or ankle pain during a growth spurt
Even without symptoms, a developmental gait assessment between ages 5 and 7 is a valuable investment. It establishes a baseline and can identify structural tendencies early — when intervention is simplest. Many parents leave with significant peace of mind.
What happens at a pediatric podiatry appointment?
A pediatric podiatry appointment at UPANDRUNNING is child-friendly and thorough. You can expect:
- Full history — when the issue started, activities, and family history
- Gait analysis — watching your child walk and ru
- Foot and lower limb examination — structure, flexibility, and muscle strength
- Force plate or pressure plate analysis where relevant
- Clear explanation of findings and a proportionate treatment plan if needed
- Orthotics, exercises, footwear advice, or activity modification where appropriate
A word on shoes
When buying shoes for a growing child, look for a firm heel counter that does not collapse
when squeezed, flexibility at the ball of the foot, appropriate width, correct length with 10–15mm space at the toe, and no excessive built-in arch support unless specificall prescribed.
Dubai tip: school shoes matter. Many schools specify uniform shoes that are not particularly
supportive. If your child wears them for six or more hours daily, it is worth checking they are
genuinely appropriate for a growing foot.
Whether you are managing an existing injury or simply want to protect your game, UPANDRUNNING’s team of physiotherapists, titlist certified chiropractors, and sports medicine doctors in Dubai can help. We offer comprehensive movement screens, hands-on treatment, and personalised rehabilitation programmes designed around your lifestyle and your golf game.
Call 04 518 5400 or WhatsApp 04 343 9391 to book your appointment at one of our 6 locations across Dubai.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Book an appointment with our doctors. We will create a personalized treatment plan for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should a child see a podiatrist?
A developmental gait assessment between ages 5 and 7 is recommended even without symptoms, as this is the key window for identifying foot and lower limb conditions that are unlikely to self-correct. Children with pain, unusual gait, or flat feet causing symptoms should be assessed at any age.
What is Sever’s disease and how is it treated in Dubai?
Sever’s disease is an overuse injury at the heel’s growth plate, common in active children aged 8–14. It causes heel pain that worsens with sport. Treatment includes heel cushioning, calf stretching, activity modification, and orthotics where needed. Most children managed by
a pediatric podiatrist continue playing sport throughout treatment.
Are flat feet in children normal?
Yes, flat feet are normal and expected in children under 6. The arch develops gradually and most cases self-correct. Flat feet that persist beyond age 6–7 with associated pain, fatigue, or worsening alignment should be assessed by a pediatric podiatrist.
Why is my child walking on their tiptoes?
Toe walking is normal in toddlers up to age 2–3. Persistent toe walking beyond age 3 should be assessed, as it can indicate a shortened Achilles tendon, tight calf muscles, or in some cases an underlying neurological condition. A pediatric podiatrist can assess the cause and recommend appropriate treatment.
Where can I find a pediatric podiatrist in Dubai?
UPANDRUNNING offers pediatric podiatry at clinics across Dubai. Appointments include gait analysis, developmental assessment, force plate testing, and orthotics where needed.
Call 04 518 5400 or WhatsApp 04 343 9391 to book.
Do Dubai children have more foot problems than children elsewhere?
Dubai’s environment creates specific challenges for children’s foot health — including long hours on hard marble floors, year-round flat sandals with no arch support, and intensive sports academy training from a young age. These factors make proactive podiatric assessment particularly valuable for children growing up in Dubai.
