Pediatric Foot and Ankle Care Services

What You Need To Know

A parent’s guide to recognizing and addressing pediatric foot concerns.

Understanding Pediatric Foot Care

Children’s feet are different to that of adults. When they are young, their bones are still very soft and are therefore more easily affected by abnormal pressure and forces. It is important to nurture our children’s feet, as most of the issues we see in adults have stemmed from issues as children. The younger a child is assessed and diagnosed, the easier it is to treat and manage the issue.

You should bring your child to our office any time your child experiences foot pain or when you or your child notices an abnormality in the appearance of their feet. Pain in children is never normal and can be a sign of an injury, infection, or biomechanical issue that needs addressing.

As early as infancy, you can see abnormalities in the feet, like club feet. Once your child starts walking, you may notice they prefer to walk on their toes or walk with their toes pointed inward or outward. These are all warning signs that something is wrong with the development of your child’s feet.

Most common conditions that affect children’s feet will show themselves in the form of pain, an abnormal gait, or a change in the appearance of the foot. Common concerns include flat feet, in-toeing, out-toeing, toe walking, growing pains, ingrown toenails, warts, and sports injuries.

In many cases, these problems persist into adulthood if left untreated. The sooner you seek pediatric foot care for your child, the less treatment they will typically require. Schedule a consultation with our pediatric podiatry team for a thorough evaluation.

Treatments, Footwear, and Prevention

Our pediatric podiatrists have significant experience treating a variety of foot and ankle conditions that arise while children and teenagers are still growing. Whether your child needs help with a one-time injury or has an ongoing issue, we provide expert care while ensuring your child feels comfortable and relaxed throughout the treatment process.

Treatment options are tailored to each child. Custom orthotics can help restore correct foot and ankle posture during the critical years of physical development, particularly for flat feet and in-toeing. For ingrown toenails, we can trim and clean the nail, treat any infection, and help identify causes so you can prevent recurrence. When treating foot, ankle, or leg pain, we don’t just address the symptoms; we seek the underlying cause and work toward a lasting solution whenever possible.

Footwear plays an important role in healthy development. Infants don’t need to wear shoes and should have unlimited freedom of movement to allow their feet to grow normally. Once your child is walking, allow them to walk barefoot inside the house and wear shoes with wide toe boxes when outdoors. A wide toe box lets the foot stretch normally and helps build the muscles of the foot. For active children, we can recommend sports-specific shoes to protect their feet.

Please check your child’s feet regularly and visit our office for advice if anything doesn’t look right. Most pediatric foot conditions are temporary and resolve quickly with proper care, and early attention now helps your child stay active and comfortable for years to come.