Pediatric Foot & Ankle Specialist

Children frequently complain of foot, ankle, and leg pain during periods of growth. Common causes include:

• Calcaneal apophysitis (Sever's disease)
• Tight Achilles tendons
• Flatfoot deformity
• Overuse injuries
• Sports-related stress injuries

Many children improve with stretching programs, activity modification, supportive footwear, and custom orthotics.

Persistent toe walking may be associated with:

• Tight Achilles tendons
• Neuromuscular conditions
• Developmental abnormalities

Evaluation helps determine whether stretching, physical therapy, bracing, casting, or surgery is appropriate.

Abnormal gait patterns may arise from:

• Femoral anteversion
• Tibial torsion
• Foot deformities

Most children improve naturally, but evaluation can identify cases requiring intervention.

An accessory navicular is an extra bone on the inside of the foot that can become painful during adolescence. Symptoms include:

• Arch pain
• Swelling
• Difficulty with sports
• Shoe irritation

Treatment may include immobilization, orthotics, physical therapy, or surgical correction.

Tarsal coalition occurs when bones in the foot fail to separate normally during development. Symptoms may include:

• Flatfoot deformity
• Recurrent ankle sprains
• Stiffness
• Chronic pain

Advanced imaging often helps guide treatment planning.

Bunions can occur in children and adolescents, particularly with family history. Treatment options include:

• Shoe modifications
• Orthotics
• Activity modification
• Surgical correction for progressive deformity and pain

Digital deformities can cause:

• Pain
• Shoe irritation
• Difficulty with activities

Both conservative and surgical options are available depending on severity.

Young athletes place tremendous demands on their feet and ankles. Common sports injuries include:

• Ankle sprains
• Stress fractures
• Tendon injuries
• Growth plate injuries
• Turf toe
• Achilles injuries
• Overuse syndromes
• Running-related injuries

Early diagnosis helps athletes safely return to play while minimizing long-term complications.

Children frequently sustain injuries during sports, playground activities, and everyday accidents. Common pediatric injuries include:

• Ankle fractures
• Foot fractures
• Growth plate fractures
• Toe fractures
• Metatarsal fractures
• Fifth metatarsal fractures
• Lisfranc injuries
• Tendon injuries
• Crush injuries

Our office provides immediate evaluation, digital X-rays, fracture boots, casting, splinting, and surgical management when necessary.

Growth plates are areas of developing bone that require special attention after injury. Untreated or improperly treated growth plate injuries may lead to:

• Growth disturbances
• Angular deformities
• Chronic pain
• Joint dysfunction

Prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical to protecting long-term foot and ankle development.

For children and adolescents with painful, progressive flatfoot deformity that has failed conservative treatment, minimally invasive reconstruction may be an option. Benefits may include:

• Smaller incisions
• Less soft tissue disruption
• Reduced postoperative discomfort
• Faster recovery for many patients
• Improved alignment and function

Each treatment plan is individualized based on age, deformity severity, activity level, and longterm goals.

Advances in pediatric foot and ankle surgery allow many fractures and traumatic injuries to be treated using minimally invasive techniques. Potential benefits include:

• Smaller incisions
• Reduced scarring
• Preservation of soft tissues
• Earlier mobilization
• Faster recovery in appropriate cases

Treatment decisions are based on fracture type, growth plate involvement, and overall injury severity.

Our practice provides:

• Same-day and next-day appointments
• Digital X-rays
• Ultrasound evaluation
• Casting and fracture care
• Sports medicine treatment
• Custom orthotics
• Minimally invasive surgery
• Flatfoot reconstruction
• Trauma surgery
• Revision surgery
• Second opinions

Schedule an evaluation if your child experiences:

• Persistent foot or ankle pain
• Frequent tripping or falling
• Flat feet with pain or fatigue
• Sports injuries
• Recurrent ankle sprains
• Difficulty walking or running
• Toe deformities
• Heel pain
• Ingrown toenails
• Fractures or trauma
• Abnormal gait patterns

Early intervention often leads to simpler treatment and better long-term outcomes.

Dr. John Goodner specializes in pediatric foot and ankle conditions, sports medicine, trauma care, minimally invasive surgery, and reconstructive foot and ankle procedures for children and adolescents. Same-day and next-day appointments are available in Boca Raton and Delray Beach.