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Waldorf Office

(301)-843-9581

Clinton Office

(301)-868-3899

California Office

(301)-690-6044

Mom, My Foot Hurts

As parents, we never want to hear that our children are experiencing any pain or discomfort. When it comes to their feet, children’s growing and developing bones and muscles and their very active lifestyle make them prone to certain disorders. Don’t fall for the myth that “it’s just growing pains.” Complaints of pain in the foot, ankle, or leg should always be taken seriously and evaluated. At Southern Maryland Foot & Ankle we have many years of experience in treating pediatric foot issues. Below are some of the more common ones to look out for:

  • Sever’s Disease—this painful inflammation of the heel is most likely to strike 8 to 14 year olds because the growth plate in the heel has not fully finished developing. Running, basketball, and other activities that impact the heel can make this condition worse.
  • Pediatric Flatfoot—Flatfoot can be difficult to diagnose in very young children because baby fat and new walking habits make it difficult to detect. As your child gets older, you may notice that he or she runs in an awkward way. Sometimes a child with flatfoot may complain of pain in the foot, ankle, or leg.
  • Ingrown Toenails—this painful condition is caused by a nail growing down into the skin. With rapidly growing feet, children’s shoes need to be checked often because footwear that is too tight is a major cause of ingrown toenails. Once a nail breaks the skin, an infection can also develop and there may be signs of pus and drainage.
  • Plantar Warts—most kids love to walk barefoot but this leaves them open to picking up the virus that causes Plantar Warts. On the surface, these warts appear hard and flat with little pin pricks of black in the center. But these warts can grow deep down in the skin, causing your child pain when they put weight on his or her foot.

If your child is experiencing any of the above symptoms, contact our Waldorf or Clinton office for an appointment. Our board certified foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Larry Hotchkiss, will conduct a thorough exam of your child’s foot and determine what if any treatment is necessary. It’s important to detect any foot problems early in children to ensure a lifetime of healthy activity.

Our Locations

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Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule (Closed for Lunch from 11:30 am - 12:15 pm)

Clinton Office

Monday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

7:00 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Waldorf Office

Monday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

7:00 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

California Office

Monday:

Closed

Tuesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Wednesday:

Closed

Thursday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed