Pediatric Foot Care
Just like many adults, children’s feet have their share of problems.
Livingston Foot Care Specialists offer pediatric podiatry services and can properly diagnose and treat children’s feet problems in our state of the art facility.
Our knowledgeable and caring podiatrists understand that proper diagnosis and treatment is crucial for children as many of these problems can have complications if left untreated as they grow into adulthood.
Common Foot Disorders in Children:
- Flat feet
- Warts
- Metatarsus adductus (foot deformity)
- In-toe or out-toe
- Toe walking
- Uneven shoe wear
- Sever’s disease
A child’s foot grows rapidly during the first year. Consequently, foot specialists consider the first year to be the most crucial point in the foot development process. There are ways you can help ensure that your child’s foot develops properly. One way is to carefully look at your baby’s feet. If you notice any deformities, you should immediately seek professional care. You should also loosely cover your child’s foot, since tight coverings may prevent movement and inhibit normal development. Another tip is to change the baby’s positioning throughout the day. If your baby lies down in one spot for too long, it may put an excess amount of strain on the feet and legs.
It is best that you try not to force a child to start walking. Children will begin to walk when they are both physically and emotionally capable to do so. You should also avoid comparing your child’s walking progress with other children because the age range for independent walking varies. When your child’s feet begin to develop, you may need to change both their shoe and sock size every few months to allow room for their feet to grow.
Kids are sometimes prone to splinters, cuts, and severe injuries because they tend to walk around barefoot. This also makes them more susceptible to developing plantar warts, a condition caused by a virus that invades the sole of the foot through breaks in the skin. These ailments can be avoided by making sure your child wears shoes in unsanitary environments. You should also wash any minor cuts or scrapes on your child’s feet.
Kids are also prone to developing Sever’s disease, which is the inflammation of the growth plate in the heel. Typically the result of overuse, Sever’s disease often develops in active children who are experiencing a growth spurt. When a child experiences a growth spurt, the heel bone will often grow faster than the other muscles, tendons, and ligaments in his or her lower extremities. This causes Sever’s disease.
As a parent, you should ensure that your child’s feet are developing properly and are being properly maintained. Consequently, it is important that you perform routine inspections on his or her feet to detect any injuries or deformities in their early stages. Early detection and treatment will help to ensure that your child does not develop any serious foot conditions.
