Watch Out for These 3 Pediatric Foot Problems
If your child is feeling foot pain, do you think they would tell you about it? In our experience, the answer to that question is a definite “maybe.” Some children are too young to communicate what they’re feeling, they may forget to say anything about it, or be too embarrassed to show anyone else the problem they’re experiencing. Today, the doctors at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center are sharing three of the most common pediatric foot problems we see in our offices.
1. Changes in your child’s feet: Examine your child’s ankles, feet, and gait. Make a note of any blisters, oozing, sudden pain, swelling, awkward gait, abnormal wear in their shoes, nail discoloration, changes in their skin, or redness. Also, note if any moles changes in shape, size, or color.
2. Spots on the feet: Sores and spots can develop anywhere on the feet. Red spots that appear on the soles of the feet are a sign of an infection called hand, foot, and mouth disease. If you notice scaly spots on your child’s toes, your child could have athlete’s foot. And fleshy, elevated bumps that won’t heal are possibly warts that can be permanently removed.
3. Pain that doesn’t subside: Any type of pain that doesn’t diminish is not normal. For instance, children are not safe from heel pain, particularly if they’re active in sports. Younger children have a growth plate in their heel, and walking can become quite painful when injured, as with Sever’s disease. Some children also suffer from arch pain, which may be a sign of a problem with flat feet. Finally, even if your child can walk, it’s still possible they may have a tiny bone fracture.
Treating foot pain in children can be as simple as purchasing a larger pair of shoes in two consecutive months (yes, feet can grow that fast!) or as complex as surgery. If your child is complaining of foot pain or any other issues, contact us to schedule an appointment.
Our board-certified team of foot and ankle doctors at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center has experience addressing foot needs, including bunions and hammertoes, pediatric foot care, custom orthotics, heel pain, diabetic foot care, and more. The team includes Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, and Dr. Laura Vander Poel. We have two locations in Hartford County: 1379 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT, and 1350 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, CT. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.