Pediatric Foot Problems
A foot is covered by the principles of pediatric foot care from the time of toddlerhood through adolescence. Commonly seen foot problems vary with the age of pediatric patients.
The most common foot problem seen with toddlers is the in-toeing gait, where the patient’s toes point toward the mid-line of the body when the patient walks. This condition is most commonly caused by a lack of external rotation at the hip joint. In many of these cases, the hip position originates from the intrauterine position before childbirth. In mild cases of in-toeing gait, many patients grow out of the hip position without treatment. More severe cases see the best results when a patient begins treatment at a very young age. Treatments can include the wearing of straight-laced shoes, Dennis Brown Bars, and gait plate orthotics, all used to realign the foot in proper position.
Pre-pubescent children often harbor complaints of bone pain in their feet that are associated with the inflammation of the growth plates in their bones. The most common location for an inflamed growth plate (apophositis) is in the heel, and is called Sever’s Disease. Treatments include physical therapy, stretching exercises and custom orthotics that are designed to off-load the area of inflammation to relieve painful symptoms.
Young adults most often complain of injuries associated with athletics. These injuries vary in severity from mild sprains to fractures and torn muscles. Treatments include immobilization of fractures and tears, physical therapy, and the fabrication of custom orthotics, depending upon the injury.
Children of all ages also suffer from ingrown toenails, which can be permanently corrected with a simple, in-office procedure. Finally, warts (verruca) are commonly found within this age group. Treatments vary from the application of topical medications, to the surgical removal of the warts.
