Children's Foot Care
Helping your children overcome their foot and ankle pain through our advanced facilities so they can get back to doing the things they love.
Parents seek the best for their children. Whenever a problem arises, a quick and effective solution is sought. It may be surprising sometimes if those problems arise with your child’s feet or ankles, however.
We do not tend to think of these kinds of troubles arising until we have put on a number of miles, but the truth is that children’s feet can experience many of the same problems that adult feet have. That is where children’s foot care comes into play.
In fact, in some cases, children may exhibit conditions that are unique to youth. Whatever may be happening, however, as a parent you can be assured of two things:
- Children’s foot conditions are common.
- Advanced Foot & Ankle Centers of Illinois is here to help!
Watching Your Child’s Feet Develop
As infants, our feet have limited function until we start walking, during which time our arches and motor skills develop. While your child learns to walk, it is common to observe certain developmental conditions, such as:
- Flat feet/arch pain
- In-toeing or out-toeing
- Prolonged toe-walking
Although most of these conditions resolve naturally as your child’s physical development progresses, it is important not to ignore them as they could indicate an underlying issue. If you notice any abnormalities in your child’s walking or feet, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Other Common Children’s Foot Care Problems
Children’s feet can experience various common problems and injuries in addition to developmental conditions. Keep an eye out for the following:
- Plantar warts: Weaker immunity makes children more susceptible to this harmless but unsightly condition.
- Heel pain: Sever’s disease causes heel pain in active children aged 8 to 14 due to the growing heel bone. Rest, splints, or bracing may be recommended.
- Ingrown toenails: More common in children due to rapid foot growth and tight shoes.
- Sports injuries: Ankle sprains, stress fractures, and more can occur during physical activity.
It can be challenging to detect foot problems in children but watch for signs such as reluctance to show their feet, favoring one foot, frequent trips, and falls, decreased participation in activities, or limping. These signs indicate the need for further investigation.
Parents and Podiatrists, Working Together
Even if you just have a suspicion that your child may be experiencing foot pain or other conditions, it is best to err on the side of caution and give us a call. We want all children’s feet to be their healthiest going into adulthood, whether that simply means a regular check-up or starting treatment for a problem.
Contact us to schedule an appointment for your child’s foot care needs. We have eight offices around the metro area of Chicago ready to serve your family.