Children often develop a variety of foot and ankle problems as they grow. However, they may not communicate those issues directly, so you need to be aware of specific signs.
Children often develop a variety of foot and ankle problems as they grow. However, they may not communicate those issues directly, so you need to be aware of specific signs. For example, tiptoeing or limping may possibly indicate an ingrown toenail. It’s always best to have an evaluation performed by your foot doctor to properly identify and treat problems before they worsen.
3 foot problems often encountered in children include the following:
- Overpronation—Children frequently encounter arch problems like overpronation (flat feet) as their feet are growing. While having flexible flat feet is normal in children, you should keep abreast of the situation as the child continues to grow to make sure the arches are forming properly. See your foot doctor for a proper evaluation at least once a year during these developmental periods.
- Warts—Painful plantar warts that grow in the plantar fascia on the bottom of the child’s foot can be difficult to diagnose. These warts are often covered by thickened skin and should be treated by your podiatrist. Warts are very common in children and can be spread by contact, so always have warts properly treated.
- Sever’s disease—Since the bone growth plates are not yet fully developed in children, they are susceptible to problems like Sever’s disease. Osgood-Schlatter disease is a similar problem that develops in the knees. Your child may need to curtail exercise activities until the natural growth process corrects these temporary plate abnormalities.
For the proper care of your children’s feet, contact your podiatrist. The foot specialists at ETL Podiatry in Briarwood and Melville, NY, have unparalleled experience in treating all aspects of foot and ankle problems. Our team of doctors that includes Geoffrey C. Epstein, DPM, Matthew J. Tavroff, DPM, Stuart B. Leon, DPM and Robert J. Leon, DPM is dedicated to serving you with all of the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Melville, NY (631)-549-8637 and Briarwood, NY (718)-657-8921.
