Why Does My Child Keep Tripping Over Their Own Feet?

Does your child seem to constantly trip, stumble or catch their feet when walking or running? While occasional trips and falls are a normal part of childhood development, frequent or persistent tripping may be worth looking into.

Children’s feet and legs change significantly as they grow, and the way they move can be influenced by several different factors. Our Melbourne Podiatrists can assess how your child’s feet and lower limbs are developing and whether anything may be contributing to their frequent tripping.

What could be causing tripping in children?

There isn’t always one obvious reason why a child trips. Their foot position, leg alignment, hips, muscle strength, flexibility, balance and coordination can all influence the way they walk and run.

Some movement patterns are present from birth, while others develop as a child grows. Everyday habits, including certain sitting or sleeping positions, can also contribute to how the hips and legs develop and move. This is why simply looking at the feet may not tell the whole story.

Is tripping coming from their feet?

When our children’s podiatrists assess a child who frequently trips, we look at how their whole lower limb is working together, rather than just where their foot is landing. A thorough assessment may include looking at their feet, ankles, knees and hips, as well as their walking and running pattern, balance, flexibility and muscle function.

We can also consider whether their footwear may be contributing and, where appropriate, whether orthotic support could help. For some children, custom orthotics may be recommended to support their individual needs.

When should you have tripping checked by a podiatrist?

If your child is regularly tripping, catching one foot, walking or running differently, struggling with balance, or you simply feel that something about the way they move doesn’t look quite right, it is worthwhile having them assessed by a podiatrist. Sometimes it is simply part of normal development. Other times, there may be a contributing factor that is worth identifying.

Our Melbourne Podiatry team can assess your child’s gait and help you understand what may be contributing to their tripping. Once the cause is identified they can recommend appropriate treatment options to help correct your child’s walking.

Does your child trip frequently?

At our Camberwell foot clinic our podiatrists are experts in children’s foot care and gait analysis.

So if your child is frequently tripping over or something about the way they move doesn’t look right, book an appointment with one of our friendly podiatrists today!