Children’s Foot Care
We provide treatment for foot and ankle issues for patients of all ages, including children. When it comes to children’s foot care, we find that some issues tend to be more common than others. By understanding the common child foot injuries and conditions, you can easily recognize when your son or daughter needs medical care.
Common Child Foot Injuries
- Pediatric flatfoot. There are two types of pediatric flatfoot – symptomatic or asymptomatic. Symptomatic flatfeet cause symptoms such as pain and limitation of activity, while asymptomatic flatfeet show no symptoms. Just because your child does not complain of pain, you still need to have them evaluated to deter long term problems later in life.
- Ingrown toenails. Anyone who has nails can potentially develop ingrown toenails. They can be caused by tight shoes, toe injuries, improper cutting of the toenails, genetic or repetitive activity like kicking a soccer ball over and over again.
- Plantar warts. Kids sometimes love sharing with one another, including strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause warts! One of the most effective way to treat plantar warts is with laser treatments which we have at our office.
- Sever’s disease. A difference in the rates of growth between the heel bone and its connective tissues can lead to heel pain for adolescents. There are usually no long-term issues associated with Sever’s, and treatment centers on relieving existing symptoms.
- Sports injuries. Despite all its benefits, healthy sports activities unavoidably lead to injuries. Nearly every type of sports has the potential for injury to the foot or ankle. Our office treats many young patients for injuries sustained during athletic practices or competition and get them back to playing the sport they love.
Potential Treatment Options
We certainly hope that we can treat any patient successfully with the use of conservative, nonsurgical methods, but this especially holds true for children. The good news is that many of these common child foot issues are treated effectively without the need for surgical intervention. Some of the methods we may include in your son or daughter’s treatment plan can include:
- RICE. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation can be rather effective in relieving painful symptoms, lowering levels of inflammation, and helping the body perform its natural healing processes.
- Medication. It’s important to always check with our office for dosage recommendations, but nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be especially beneficial in relieving pain and inflammation.
- Orthotic devices. Custom orthotic devices are used as a highly-effective treatment tool for a wide range of issues. When we make the orthotics, we create a mold of your child’s foot to create a unique orthotic specifically made to fit your child’s foot. This improves the function of their foot thus decreasing injury.
- Surgery. As noted, we will take every measure possible to treat a young patient’s condition with nonsurgical care, but sometimes surgical procedures are necessary. When this is the case, you can find comfort in the knowledge that your son or daughter is in the hands of a skilled, expert foot surgeon who has his or her health firmly in mind.
Child Foot and Ankle Injury Prevention Tips
We love knowing that we were able to treat a child’s foot or ankle condition through the use of conservative care, but even better is knowing that an issue was prevented from developing in the first place. There are several measures that can be taken to help reduce the risk of foot or ankle problems.
Some of the top preventative foot care measures include:
- Shoes – Remember, shoes need to be appropriate for the activity a child does, and they should fit correctly.
- Weight management – There are many benefits to be gained by encouraging your son or daughter to participate in physical activities, including keeping his or her weight in a normal range. This will lead to less stress on the feet and ankles!
- Stretches – Sever’s disease is not necessarily preventable, but a regular stretching routine can keep your child’s Achilles tendons and calf muscles limber, which will help relieve tension in the back of the heel.
When your child is experiencing pain from a foot or ankle condition, we know you want him or her to receive first-class child foot care services. Our podiatrists are ready to provide that level of care for your son or daughter. Make sure to schedule an appointment for us to address the issue at its earliest stage to relieve painful symptoms as soon as possible. Contact Sunshein Podiatry Associates by calling (937) 435-7477 to reach our office for more information or to schedule an appointment.
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6474 Centerville Business Pkwy, Centerville, OH 45459
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Monday: 8am - 5pm
Tuesday: 8am - 5pm
Wednesday: 8am - 5pm
Thursday: 8am - 5pm
Friday: 8am - 2pm
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