When Foot Care Is Needed

Diagnosing and treating foot problems in children can help them avoid lifelong foot and ankle issues. Dr. Larry Hotchkiss and Dr. Justin Pointer of Southern Maryland Foot & Ankle in Waldorf and Clinton, MD, explain how you can tell when your child may benefit from a visit to the foot doctor.

You've noticed that things don't look quite right when your child walks

Toddlers don't have particularly smooth gaits when they first learn to walk. They may walk on their toes, or you may notice that their toes point in or out when they walk. These issues will usually go away as your son or daughter becomes more experienced at walking. If they don't, it's a good idea to schedule a visit without our Waldorf or Clinton office. Correcting foot issues is much easier when your child is young and his or her feet are still fairly flexible. Solutions are often very simple and may involve temporarily wearing splints, night braces or special shoes.

You think your child may have flatfoot

Flatfoot, a condition that's also called "fallen arches," can be inherited. If your child has flatfoot, he or she may complain of pain in the feet, legs, knees, hips and lower back, have an awkward gait or become tired easily when playing. You may also notice uneven wear in the heels of shoes. Wearing shoes that adequately support and cushion the arch can increase your child's comfort. Orthotics, shoe inserts that are custom-designed to address your child's condition, can be very helpful, as can physical therapy and stretching exercises.

Your child's heels hurt

Heel pain in children can be caused by Sever's disease. The condition causes a painful inflammation in growth plate in the heel and typically affects pre-teens and teens who are growing rapidly. Children who are active in sports are most likely to be affected. Symptoms of Sever's disease include pain and tenderness at the back of the heel that worsens with activity, limping, tight calf muscles or swelling at the back of the heel. Rest, ice and over-the-counter pain medications can be helpful. Your child may also benefit from orthotics, heel cushions, stretching exercises or physical therapy.

Are you concerned about an issue with your child's feet? Schedule an appointment with podiatrists Dr. Hotchkiss and Dr. Pointer of Southern Maryland Foot & Ankle by calling (301) 843-9581 for the Waldorf, MD, office or (301) 868-3899 for the Clinton, MD, office.