Effect of Foot Orthoses on Children With Lower Extremity Growing Pains

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of custom molded foot orthoses on children with growing pains of the lower extremities. METHODS Children with growing pains were recruited during a clinic visit. None had any bony deformities, inflammatory joint disease or depression. Resting calcaneal stance position (RCSP) and calcaneal pitch angle were measured, and individual custom molded rigid foot orthoses were prescribed using the inverted orthotic technique to control for foot overpronation using the RCSP angle. Pain sites, degree and frequency of pain, and balance ability were evaluated using Balance Master computerized posturography prior to foot orthosis fitting, and 1 and 3 months later. RESULTS Twenty children completed the study. Seventeen (75%) had overpronated feet. Significant improvements were noted after 1 and 3 months in pain degree and frequency, and after 3 months in balancing ability. CONCLUSION The use of custom molded foot orthoses is a good method for treating children with multiple musculoskeletal pains in the leg.