12 yo ds. Foot pain that's getting worse. X-rayed today and the radiologist mentioned club foot. Upset and confused, we were told it was plantar fasciitis and next appointment isn't for a week

[NoStraightEdges]

This is quite long, sorry.

The history is that my son has walked turning his foot inwards for a while now.

I have taken him to the GP a couple of times with it and the last time we went he was referred to orthotics for heel cups. The technician diagnosed plantar fasciitis and said that although ds does walk with a slight in toeing there was nothing to worry about.

Which is what the GP has said-its slight and not of concern.

Since he started secondary school the pain has got much worse. He's in y8 now and constantly limps and complains of pain.

I took him to the GP today who asked for x rays at the children's hospital. The radiologist had to keep calling us back in for more X-rays. I asked what the consultant could see and he said it's to do with his club foot-looks like it's been over corrected, or not corrected properly. Ds hasn't got/had club foot and has never had it corrected!

Because it was a GP referral I couldn't speak to the hospital doctor and the person taking the films couldn't tell me anything so now I have to wait for the results to get to the GP and for a follow up appointment next week with him.

And I feel quite upset TBH-like I've not done enough for my poor Ds .

Does anyone have any advice/experience or ideas? Or just want to chat to me about this? I'd really appreciate it.

If it turns out not to be club foot and is plantar fasciitis there are exercises he can do. I was literally on my hands and knees with it as my feet would not bear weight (gave it to myself via carrying toddlers and trying to take up jogging - my body kicked back).

My physio gave me exercises to do: put a tea towel on the floor in front of you and grab it with your toes, pull towards you, repeat a dozen times at least once a day. Also, put a wine bottle under your foot and roll it back and forth, imagining the arch of your foot is picking it up.

Good luck, I hope he’s helped with it soon!

one of my DCs has/had a club foot, diagnosed at birth. She wore a brace for a few years and then had an op at 2. One leg is slightly shorter than the other and one foot smaller than the other. It's fine. It's never stopped her from doing anything.

I'm not sure from your post if your DS has an undiagnosed CF or not? If it's PF, it's bloody painful! But can be stopped with exercises, correct footwear etc.

Either way, I'm assuming you're just looking at inserts in footwear? Try not to worry. And don't blame yourself. If he's got to Yr 8 and no-one has diagnosed CF it can't be very bad, even if he does have it.

Thank you both.

We haven't had any advice re excercises for the PF, so that's really useful lizzie

I can see that some of my post is a bit unclear, Twitter. The CF thing was mentioned today for the very first time. I guess the GP will talk me through the findings of today's X-rays next week. The heel cups were fitted by orthotics a few months ago.

Poor lamb-he's in agony. He's resting it, icing it and taking ibuprofen. At least we have the ball rolling now.

It's not Club Foot. That's not diagnosed at the age of 12, it's a very serious physical abnormality which is diagnosed in uterus or at birth. Please rest easy on that one.

Thanks molly, I think it was a shock that they thought he'd had club foot and the correction was causing a problem, when he's had neither.

I'm feeling better about it now, I posted pretty much as soon as I'd got home and was feeling a bit emotional!