Top 5 Foot Problems in Children
Children are interesting beings. They will cry when you tell them something they are not supposed to do for their own good but they will not say a single word when their feet or legs hurt. Normally, they do not even realize they may have foot or ankle problems and are unable to express themselves properly. Therefore, it can get quite challenging to be absolutely certain when you should take your child to the pediatric podiatrist.
Infants' feet, like most of their other body parts, are quite flexible. As the baby grows, a process called ossification takes place and the soft tissue that forms the structure of the feet solidifies into bony tissue. During this entire process of growth, it is important to make sure that your child's feet are taken special care of and are not "trapped" in tight shoes. This is because the feet should be allowed to grow naturally and any deformity that may occur due to confined shoes can be avoided.
Foot problems are not uncommon in the early years of life, so if your child appears to be limping faintly, has slightly abnormal looking feet, or complains about leg, ankle or toe pain, be sure to consult with a pediatric podiatrist and get started on the treatment as soon as possible so that the issue does not persist. Some common complaints that children present with are in-toeing, out-toeing, clubfoot, plantar fasciitis, bunions, corns, and calluses.
In-toeing, also known as "pigeon toed", is a condition that is characterized by feet turned inward. One of the most common conditions that leads to in-toeing is Tibial Torsion in which the shinbone turns inward. Other causes include Femoral Anteversion (thighbone turns inward) and Metatarsus Anteversion (foot turns inward).
Out-toeing is the opposite of in-toeing; in this condition, the feet are turned outward rather than pointed straight ahead. It is also caused by the malalignment of the shinbone or thighbone.
Bunions, or as physicians like to call it "Juvenile Hallux Valgus", is a deformity in which the big toe or metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint shifts out of alignment. This condition is almost always related to flat feet or wearing tight shoes in which there is pressure on the MTP joint causing it to be pushed outward, thereby resulting in a bony protrusion.
In this condition, the ligament that supports the foot's arch becomes inflamed. Children run a lot, so it is very likely for their foot's ligament to get affected and you will find your child complaining about heel pain. Therefore, paying a visit to a pediatric podiatrist soon is advised.
Corns are small lumps of hard skin, whereas calluses are comparatively larger patches of rough skin. These are nothing to be alarmed by, as many children are more active than adults and use their feet a lot, so it is normal for them to develop corns and calluses. However, they can get painful if overlooked, so pediatric podiatrists recommend getting them treated sooner rather than later.
Clubfoot is characterized by a range of foot abnormalities that may be congenital and mostly affects newborns. In clubfoot, the tendons of the affected foot are shorter than normal and the foot appears twisted or blunt. The condition can be treated successfully, but depending on its severity, doctors commonly advise to consult a pediatric podiatrist.
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