Most parents remain unaware that the signs of foot problems in kids start appearing in their early childhood years. They only get concerned when they discover their little one has a problem while walking. Their pain or awkward gait can attract attention. Still, some people write these situations off, assuming it’s temporary or will improve with time. Please avoid these mistakes. Early detection and treatment of any foot condition can be crucial for your child’s healthy motor development. The more you delay medical intervention, the more risk you incur for your kid’s future mobility. So, what’s the solution?
Check Feet First Podiatry Clinic or others that specialize in child foot care. Podiatrists can examine and treat signs of different foot conditions successfully. Let’s explore some standard foot complaints encountered during childhood.
Foot imbalance
This prevalent foot condition can be corrected by early diagnosis and treatment. If your child experiences any pain in the lower body, you can speak to a podiatrist to determine the cause and resolve it. Due to problems with their feet, kids often change their walking style to avoid trouble. However, it leads to unexplainable hip and knee pain due to uncomfortable weight distribution. It can be a mistake to dismiss it as growing pains. They may have flat feet issues, which can worsen their pain when they grow up.
Biomechanical abnormalities
Many kids suffer from various foot deformities, including clubfoot, flexible flatfoot, etc. Or they may have sustained injuries from falling. No matter the condition, only a podiatry expert can thoroughly assess gait. They can detect the underlying reason behind a kid’s foot abnormality or pain. Podiatrists emphasize children’s ankle and foot movement while minimizing discomfort. Since it’s their growing age, suggesting any specific foot treatment can be challenging. However, custom orthotics can be recommended depending on their feet’ health. Custom orthotics can be prefabricated shoe inserts or devices that help enhance their lower extremities’ functions.
In-toeing
Pigeon toes or in-toeing in kids can be stressful for parents. It is often a painless foot condition found in babies, toddlers, and kids up to 8 years of age. The congenital condition improves with time. However, some children can continue to face this challenge. You must immediately take your child to a nearby foot clinic if your child has pain. The foot specialist will examine your child’s biomechanical function and gait. They can also suggest X-rays. To treat fungus on toenail, you can use antifungal creams, apply medicated nail polish, keep your feet clean and dry, and consider oral antifungal medications prescribed by a doctor. All these allow them to detect and fix the underlying cause. Suppose the cause of in-toeing in your kid is the weak foot and ankle muscles. The doctor can recommend strength-building exercises for lower limbs and hips for improvement.
Your kid grows as a healthy adult when his physical and mental fitness is ensured. Since lower extremities are integral to overall well-being, you must consider their development and status. Any slightest doubt about foot discomfort in your kid should make you seek a podiatrist’s appointment. Even though some conditions improve with age naturally, asking for a medical opinion is essential. Only experts can show the right path to happy feet.
