Are Your Child’s Feet at Risk of Not Developing Properly?
One of the greatest joys as a parent is watching your child discover his toes. Watching the wiggling, squirming, and squeals of excitement when your son or daughter plays with his or her feet is enchanting.
Then, your child learns how to walk. As your son or daughter continues to grow up, you go to the playground with other children the same age, watch his or her soccer or football games, and support your child during his or her favorite activities. When something goes wrong and your child’s gait is abnormal or his or her feet get injured, you need help from a Virginia children’s podiatrist.
Types of Foot Problems in Children
Foot problems can develop in children from a very early age, even before your child knows how to use his or her feet. During your child’s development, it is crucial that you keep a close eye on his or her feet so that they grow up to be healthy and strong.
Here are some of the most common types of foot problems that occur in children:
Flat Feet
Flat feet can cause numerous other foot and ankle problems, including ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, and more. With early treatment, these serious conditions can be easily prevented or resolved in your child’s foot. The most common way to treat flat feet in children is through orthotics. By changing your child’s shoes, you could give him or her healthy feet.
Heel Pain
Many children won’t complain about heel or ankle pain. They might not even know what it is or that it’s a problem. If you notice your child limping, struggling to play on the playground, or walking on his or her toes, schedule an appointment with a foot doctor to make sure nothing is wrong.
In-toeing or Out-toeing
Do your child’s toes turn inward? It could be a skeletal or neurological disorder. There are a variety of conditions that could cause in-toeing or out-toeing, including damage to the tibia, clubfeet, or deformities in your child’s arch. Gather as much information about when you noticed this condition and any other health concerns. Then, schedule an appointment with your podiatrist to determine if your child has a serious condition.
Sever’s Disease
Sever’s Disease is caused by overuse of certain areas of the foot and repetitive impact, such as from running or playing sports. It is one of the most common injuries in children’s feet. If your child is having difficulty walking, running, jumping, or moving on his or her heels, try giving the heels a small squeeze. If it hurts, your child might have Sever’s Disease and must see a podiatrist for treatment.
Ingrown Toenails
Children who wear tight shoes, such as cleats, for sports could develop ingrown toenails. The pinching and constriction of the toes makes it difficult for the toenail to grown in properly. If you notice that your child’s toes seem to be red or inflamed, or if your son or daughter complains about pain, you might need treatment from a foot doctor.
What to Do If You See an Abnormality in Your Child’s Foot
It’s scary to think that something could be wrong with your child’s foot. If you see anything that resembles an abnormality in your child’s foot, it is important to talk to a podiatrist. Delaying treatment could put your child at risk for long-term injuries.
Although it’s never easy to take your child to the doctor, it is important to remember that most treatments for children’s feet are conservative. Your child’s foot is still developing, so any type of care provided will most likely be resolved quickly and painlessly.
Call us today or fill out the contact form on this page to schedule your appointment with a Roanoke children’s podiatrist.
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