Children's Foot Orthotics in Ireland
Custom orthotics for active children with heel pain, knee pain, flat feet, and walking problems, available in Maynooth, Limerick, and Athlone, assessed by a qualified orthotist.
Reviewed by David Kingston, B.Sc. (Hons) Orth, MIAPO - October 2026
Children's foot orthotics are insoles made or prescribed for a child's feet to reduce pain and improve how they walk and run. They are most often used for growth-related heel pain (Sever's disease), knee pain (Osgood-Schlatter disease) and painful flat feet.
At Optimum Foot Clinic, a qualified orthotist first assesses your child and recommends orthotics only when they will help.
Does my child need an orthotics assessment?
Book an assessment if your child has foot, heel, knee or leg pain that keeps coming back, especially during or after sport, or if they walk in a way that worries you. Children rarely complain about their feet without a reason, so ongoing pain, limping or avoiding activity is worth checking.
Signs to look out for:
- Heel pain during or after football, GAA, running, dance or basketball
- Limping at the end of the day or after training
Knee pain below the kneecap, or a painful bump there - Flat feet that are painful, tired or stiff
- Walking on tiptoes, turning feet in (in-toeing) or out
- Tripping more often than other children their age
- Shoes wearing out quickly or unevenly
- Pain in the legs at night ("growing pains") that limits activity
See your GP promptly if your child has pain with swelling, redness, or fever; pain that wakes them every night; a sudden limp; or a stiff, flat foot on one side only.
What foot conditions do children's orthotics help?
Children's orthotics most often help with Sever's disease, Osgood-Schlatter disease and painful flexible flat feet.
They can also support children with in-toeing, hypermobility, toe walking and recurring ankle sprains.
Most of these conditions are linked to growth spurts and activity, and they respond well to the right support and load management.
Sever's disease (heel pain in children)
Sever's disease, also called calcaneal apophysitis, is irritation of the growth plate at the back of the heel.
It is the most common cause of heel pain in active children aged about 8 to 14.
Orthotics with heel support reduce the pull on the growth plate and help children keep playing sport. Read more about Sever's disease.
Osgood-Schlatter disease (knee pain)
Osgood-Schlatter disease is irritation of the growth plate just below the kneecap, common in sporty children aged about 10 to 15.
Orthotics can help when foot posture adds strain to the knee, alongside rest from aggravating activity and physiotherapy.
Flat feet in children
Most young children have flat feet, and the arch usually develops by around age 6 to 8.
Flexible flat feet that cause no pain generally need no treatment.
Orthotics help when flat feet cause pain, fatigue, or difficulty keeping up with activity.
In-toeing, toe walking and other walking patterns
In-toeing (pigeon toes), out-toeing and toe walking are common and often improve with age.
An assessment checks whether the pattern comes from the feet, knees or hips, and whether orthotics, physiotherapy or a referral is the right next step.
Hypermobility and recurring ankle sprains
Children with very flexible joints can find their feet tire quickly or roll over easily.
Supportive orthotics can improve stability and comfort during sport and long school days.
Do children's orthotics actually work?
Orthotics work best for children with a clear, painful problem such as Sever's disease or symptomatic flat feet, where they reduce strain on sore tissues and growth plates.
They are not needed for every child with flat feet, and they work best combined with stretching, strengthening, good footwear and managing training load.
We will tell you honestly if your child does not need orthotics. Sometimes better shoes, a change in training or a few exercises are all that is needed.
How do children's orthotics work in school and sports shoes?
Children's orthotics are slim, light insoles that slide into most school shoes, runners and football boots in place of the shoe's own insole.
We design them around the shoes your child wears most, so they can stay active in every sport without needing special footwear.
For football and GAA boots, we may recommend a slimmer sports version.
What happens at my child's orthotics appointment?
Your child's first appointment is a free 30-minute assessment with a qualified orthotist. We talk with you and your child about their symptoms and activities, look at how they stand, walk, and run, check flexibility and strength, and clearly explain whether orthotics will help.
- Chat with you and your child - symptoms, sports, growth and history.
- Foot and posture check - arch, heel position, joint flexibility, muscle tightness.
- Walking and running assessment - to see how the feet move under load.
- Scan & Prescription - we 3D scan your child's feet for custom orthotics only if needed, plus stretches, footwear advice and activity guidance.
- Fitting - we fit orthotics to your child's shoes, usually within 4 weeks.
- Review - if needed, a follow-up to check comfort and progress.
Please bring your child's school shoes and the runners or boots they use for sport. Shorts make the assessment easier.
What happens at my child's orthotics appointment?
Children usually need new orthotics every 12 to 18 months, or sooner if they go up more than one or two shoe sizes. Growth spurts change foot size and shape, so we review children regularly and check the fit at each new pair of shoes.
Why do parents choose Optimum Foot Clinic?
- Qualified orthotist - your child is seen by David Kingston, B.Sc. (Hons) Orth, MIAPO, not some other professional not properly trained to degree level in orthotics, or a shop assistant or foot scanner.
- Honest advice - we recommend orthotics only when they will help, and we give exercises and footwear advice either way.
- After-school appointments - open until 7pm Tuesday to Thursday, with clinics in Maynooth, Limerick and Athlone.
How much do children's orthotics cost, and are they covered by health insurance?
The first assessment is free, and you receive a clear quote before any orthotics are made.
Children's orthotics are covered in part or in full by most Irish health insurers, including VHI, Irish Life Health, Laya Healthcare, Level Health, HSF Health Plan and Garda Medical Aid, under orthotics or surgical appliances.
Children's orthotics start from €125.
Check whether your child is covered on your family plan, and keep the receipt for a Revenue tax-relief claim on medical expenses.
Children's orthotics FAQs
At what age can a child get orthotics?
Can my child keep playing sport with Sever's disease?
Are shop-bought insoles good enough for children?
Will orthotics fix my child's flat feet?
Will my child have to wear orthotics forever?
Do you see children with foot drop or neurological conditions?
Please see your GP first if you have new, unexplained foot pain with swelling, redness, or fever; pain at night; or sudden weakness in your foot or leg.
Can we Help Your Child with Oorthotics?
Is your child sidelined by heel or knee pain?
To book a free 30-minute children's foot assessment in Maynooth, Limerick or Athlone, call (01) 505 2130.
Orthotics Clinic Locations
You can book a free 30-minute biomechanical assessment in our main clinic in Maynooth. If you prefer, you can book an appointment in one of our satellite clinics in Limerick or Athlone.