Media Release
February 7 2012
UniSA helps kids put their best foot forward
The
University of South Australia is
helping to keep Adelaide children healthy from the ground up with free
children’s podiatry screenings being offered at
City East Campus
on Saturday February 18.
Podiatrist and UniSA lecturer Miss
Hayley Uden says it’s important to have children’s feet checked
during their early, growing years, especially if there are any concerns
about their development.
Miss Uden says commonly noted foot and concerns for children include:
Flat feet and rolling in ankles
Pigeon-toed walking patterns
Knock knees
Bow legs
Clumsiness
Not keeping up with other children
Difficulty fitting shoes
Foot pain
Leg pain
Growing pains
Warts.
She says these are all concerns that can be addressed by a well-trained
podiatrist.
“Parents often begin to notice any problems with the development of
their child’s leg and feet when they first start walking,” she says.
“But problems can also arise at any age. For example, going back to
school after the summer holidays and resuming playing sport can also
bring on foot pain and problems with sporting shoe wear.
“Children’s legs and feet are not ‘mini adult’ legs and feet; they have
their own unique growth and development patterns. It is for this reason
that a child’s structural development may need to be assessed,
especially if your child is experiencing pain and if you have a family
history of foot and leg problems, or if you just have queries relating
to shoe wear.
“The correct growth and development of a child’s legs and feet is indeed
important for the long-term health of your child.”
UniSA’s
Podiatry Clinic, in the Centenary Building at City East Campus,
provides the only child specific foot clinic in South Australia, for
ages ranging from toddlers to teenagers (up to 18).
Miss Uden, a graduate of UniSA’s
Bachelor of Podiatry and
Master of Health Science (Podiatry), has worked as a podiatrist for
eight years and also lectures for UniSA’s Bachelor of Podiatry program.
She will be joined by UniSA Podiatry lecturers and graduates who will
run the free children’s screenings on February 18 from 8.30am to 5.30pm.
The clinic will provide a unique child-friendly environment for children
to be assessed and for any concerns to be addressed. For bookings please
call the Podiatry Clinic on 8302 2269.
Contact for interview
- Hayley Uden office (08) 8302 2589
Media contact
- Kelly Stone office (08) 8302 0963 mobile 0417 861 832 email kelly.stone@unisa.edu.au