Tips From Pediatric Podiatrist for Your Kid

Children keep growing and need a change in shoe size every few months between the ages of 2 and 6 years. Due to such rapid growth and development, their feet need to be constantly checked. Although not all foot problems in young children are immediately apparent, routine checkup is the best way to identify and address any problems that can hinder your child’s growth. This is where you need to take them to a pediatric podiatrist.

The role of a pediatric podiatrist

A pediatric podiatrist specializes in diagnosing and treatment of foot and ankle conditions and injuries that are common or unique in children. Foot problems and deformities can happen in children without any warning signs. Hence, keeping a close eye on your child’s feet and visiting a good pediatric podiatrist can help in maintaining your child’s foot health.

Dr. Sima Soltani is the best pediatric podiatrist Orange County and has an experience of over 20 years in treating patients suffering from any foot and ankle issues. They are the most trustworthy podiatry clinic located in Irvine, California welcoming children and families with special pediatric podiatry needs.

Their pediatric podiatry program for children offers prevention by raising awareness among parents to take care of their child’s feet, annual screenings for children or schools enrolled with them, and free treatment to group visits of children in need of foot care. Call them for an appointment and they will be happy to check your child’s feet and find the right podiatric treatment.

Signs of foot problems in your child

As a parent, you can play a crucial part in identifying your child’s foot issues and taking action before the problem aggravates. Look for these signs.

• Your child is less active than normal and has stopped playing their favorite games.
• Your child is losing ground and struggling to keep up with his peers on the track.
• They have become clumsy with frequent trips and falls, which indicates there might be a muscular imbalance or biomechanical problem with their lower limbs.
• They won’t let you check their feet as they fear visiting a doctor’s clinic.

Foot problems treated by pediatric podiatrists

Foot disorders in children can affect the alignment of their bones and result in gait disorders, which can affect the way they walk and run. As a result, children may have poor posture, have trouble exercising and participating in sports, and experience chronic pain as they grow. To combat all these foot problems, it is essential to visit a children’s foot doctor as they specialize in successfully treating common foot problems in children like:

• Flat feet
• Heel pain
• Saver’s disease
• Toe walking
• Bunions
• Ingrown toenails
• Foot fractures
• Achilles’ tendons
• Plantar warts
• Sports injuries

Keeping your child’s feet healthy

Pediatric podiatrists recommend how to keep your child’s feet healthy.

Avoid wearing tight foot covers

Your child’s movement and normal growth may be restricted if they have shoes or socks that are too tight. Cover your child’s feet loosely instead of making them wear tight shoes so that your child can move and kick freely.

Keep a watch on your child’s feet

Always look for injuries and unusual symptoms on your child’s feet. Some children are born with birth defects that need medical intervention because they don’t heal on their own. Regularly inspecting your child’s feet can help detect these issues quickly and easily.

Choosing proper footwear

While buying shoes for your child, select a cozy fit in which they should feel comfortable. Avoid choosing undersized shoes. It is recommended to always buy for the larger foot because both feet aren’t typically the same size as this will also help them stay injury-free and keep their feet comfortable. Keep changing your child’s footwear regularly as their foot grows every couple of months.

Trim the toenails and keep their feet clean

Clip the toenails of your child regularly to avoid ingrown toenails. If you see tenderness, soreness, and swelling in the toenail’s corners, consult a pediatric foot doctor as it could be a sign of an ingrown nail. Cleaning your child’s feet and keeping them dry can help reduce the risk of fungi and bacterial growth.

Being proactive while taking care of your child’s foot health and teaching them also to do the same will eliminate most of the foot and ankle problems your child has. However, visit a pediatric podiatrist if you observe any kind of foot and ankle problem in your child.