I never noticed until yesterday, my son was laying on the couch and had his legs on my lap. I grabbed one of his feet and he say "oouch". So after looking at what he was complaining about I noticed along the outer side of his foot if I run my hand up it, a bony protrusion is there. It comes out on the side of his foot about mid way up the side and then goes back in when you move up toward the toes. It's that way on both feet. What the heck could that be? I've never noticed it before and he never pointed it out to me until I touched it yesterday. Is it normal on a 13 year old's growing feet?

Hi tony, this isn't unusual for a growing boy's feet and at l3 care should be taken to make sure he is wearing the proper type/size shoes during this time. We all have that bony protrusion on the outside, or distal, portion of our feet. His is probably developing more now and taking a beating from all the activity in his shoes.

Have his feet measured, paying close attention to the width of his shoes because now is the time to protect against foot problems for the future. How we treat our feet with proper footwear in the early years determines how our body structure will support us without pain or fatigue of any kind as an adult.


Tick

Thank you Tick! I sort of figured it was just part of his growth spurt he's growing through. His feet all of a sudden took off too! He jumped 2 sizes in his shoes and grew 3 inches. I will keep my eye on his feet, and your absolutely right about preventing future problems with him and his feet. Right now I am suffering from plantar fasciitis. I'm wearing a boot on my foot after getting an injection 2 weeks ago. Now he shot up the other foot and have to wear this boot 2 more weeks.
But thanks again for your help. Sandi

I don't know what you mean by 'the boot'. If he is giving you cortisone injections, then that is a strong anti inflammatory which should be accompanied with some good orthotics. So I think you should look up a good orthotics doctor who can design inserts for your shoes, to be worn at all times and not noticeable. Here is a website that will bring you up to date on the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

www.opma.ca/press/press_details.asp?pid=3

Edit: This is common problem with the feet by the way.

Tick

Well he first wanted to put the feet in a cast for 6 weeks one fott at a time because it's equally painful in both feet. I said no, I can't be immobile and not be able to drive for 6 weeks. So then he said lets do the injection one foot at a time and gave me the full boot to wear to immobilize the foot for 2 weeks. I can take it off at night to sleep. So I did the right foot and now after the injection Monday I have to wear the boot on the left foot for 2 weeks. I've had this condition for 6 months and my primary Dr. prescribed ibuprophen,. that's it. I said it still hurts, it took FOREVER to get the approval to see the podiatrist. So I did buy some good shoe inserts and have them in my shoes, but he did mention custom orthotics, the only problem is the insurance doesn't pay for them and they are $400.00 which I do not have. So I'll have to make due with my store bought orthotics and see what happens.