Common Foot Disorders in Children

A host of foot disorders is specific to children and adolescents. It is commonplace for kids to experience pain and discomfort as their bones are still undergoing growth and development. Some disorders are even genetic in nature, which makes it all the more crucial for children to be diagnosed and treated immediately. Awareness about common foot disorders in children will help parents seek professional help, before complications or irreversible damage set in.

• Flat Feet

We are all born with flat feet, which in later months develop into arches as we go through growth and development. Unfortunately, there are those whose arches will not arrive at its full development potential. The problem of flat feet will be apparent once an infant tries to walk for the first time. Children with flat feet are reported to have weak ankles and commonly appear inwards as the feet are firmly planted onto the floor as they walk.
Flat feet are not considered to be a very serious disorder and is only treated if it presents pain and discomfort among victims. Unlike other foot disorders, children with flat feet are not prescribed with any special footwear for treatment.

• Pigeon Toes

Pigeon toes are characterized by one or both feet turning inward. This condition is also called intoeing. This disorder is commonly diagnosed during toddlerhood when kids start to master balance while walking. Parents should not be worried about pigeon toes as this will fix itself naturally as kids gain the ability to master their posture and balance as they grow. For those who still manifest pigeon toes after five years of age, special footwear and corrective braces may be subscribed by doctors.

• Knock Knees

This foot disorder in children happens when the knees touch each other when walking, but the ankles remain wide apart. This condition affects kids with ages between three and five. Just like the other two disorders mentioned above, knock knees resolve itself once children reach seven years old.

• Bow Legs

This condition is characterized by extreme bending of legs outward from the knees down. This condition among infants is quite common and resolves itself a few months after they start walking. However, bow leggedness in one leg can be a sign of a bigger problem. One of the probably causes of unresolved bow leggeness is Rickets Disease, a condition caused by deficiency of Vitamin D or calcium in a child’s diet. Although serious in nature, Rickets disease can be treated simply by incorporating Vitamin D into one;s diet.

For common foot disorders that do not seem to have resolved themselves, podiatrists are more likely to prescribe the execution of physical exercises or the utilization of special footwear or braces to fix the disorder.

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Other foots injuries that are common in children are as follows:
• Limping
• Oddly-shaped toes
• Foot pain
• Ingrown toenails
• Sever’s Disease
• Achilles Tendonitis

To minimize the risk of injury among children, physicians typically order parents to teach kids to wear the proper footwear when going outdoors or during sports activities. Medications are only prescribed when pain and discomfort are experienced by children.

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