What kind of foot problems affect children?
Just like adults, children can experience foot problems even when they’re in otherwise good health. Some of the most common foot issues in children include:
- Intoeing: toes that point towards each other
- Out toeing: feet splay away from each other
- Flatfoot: lack of foot arch
- Sever’s disease: growth plate heel pain, usually in kids who are active
- Ingrown toenails: toenail corner buried in the skin
- Plantar warts: warts on the bottom of the foot, caused by HPV
- Congenital deformities: clubfoot, overlapping toes, and others
- Sports injuries: sprains, strains, Achilles tendinitis, and others
Children with chronic diseases have a higher risk of foot problems. For example, diabetes causes circulatory and nerve issues that can decrease sensation and slow the healing of foot wounds. It’s especially important to monitor your child’s foot health when they have a chronic illness.
If your child has one of these issues or any other foot problem, Northwest Foot and Ankle Institute can help.
When should children get care for their feet?
If your child has foot problems, it’s important to understand that it’s not normal. When your child complains of any foot issue that persists for more than a day or two, it’s time to see the friendly pediatric foot care specialists at Northwest Foot and Ankle Institute.
Children who aren’t talking yet can signal their foot issues in other ways, including:
- Not keeping up with other kids when playing
- Avoiding physical activities
- Hiding their feet
- Frequent stumbling
Kids who have foot issues often instinctively try to avoid using their feet too much. It’s important to see a highly qualified podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle Institute promptly to help them get back on their feet fast.
How do you treat pediatric foot issues?
Your child’s pediatric podiatrist gently examines their feet and ankles and reviews their medical history and current symptoms. If your child needs X-rays or ultrasound imaging to diagnose their foot issue, they can get an immediate test in the Northwest Foot and Ankle Institute office.
The podiatrist combines all the diagnostic info to find your child’s foot issues and then prescribes a conservative and safe solution. Children typically respond well to interventions such as:
- Custom orthotics, which the doctor designs using the in-office digital scanner
- Prescribed stretching and strengthening exercises
- Tape, splint, or brace
- Ultrasound therapy
If your child has a bone or joint deformity, or if their foot problem doesn’t respond to conservative care, the podiatrist may recommend surgery.
Northwest Foot and Ankle Institute is here to help your child grow up with healthy feet, so don’t hesitate to call or request an appointment online for all their foot care needs.
