Could Your Child Be Suffering from Arthritis?

Is your child suffering from ongoing foot pain? You might think it’s just growing pains. But persistent, debilitating pain can be a sign of something more serious. Over 50 million Americans suffer from arthritis, making it a leading health issue. A common misconception about arthritis is that it only affects older adults and seniors, but this isn’t true. Arthritis could be the cause of your child’s foot pain.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is the general term for swelling or inflammation in your joints. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. The causes can be numerous. Underlying diseases are one cause. Infections, too, are known for causing or exasperating the conditions of arthritis. The simple wear and tear of daily living can cause arthritis. These can worsen as we age.

How Arthritis Affects Children

Since children struggle to articulate what affects them, arthritis is often underdiagnosed. If left untreated, arthritis can eventually lead to permanent disabilities.

What You Should Know

A child may not be able to tell you what’s wrong with them, but there are a few tell-tale signs that a parent can look out for. Some of the most common symptoms of arthritis in children include:

  • Trouble getting dressed.

  • Problems with walking.

  • Difficulty engaging in age-appropriate play.

  • Complaining of pain in their joints.

It’s a good idea for parents to educate themselves as much as possible on the issue. A qualified podiatrist can offer several solutions to arthritis-related pain in your child’s feet. Surgery can be one option. Orthotics can also help. A foot specialist can design custom-fitted shoe inserts to match the unique shape of your child’s feet. It can bring about relief from arthritis-related pain and lessen any inflammation.

Here at PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we specialize in custom orthotics, along with various other foot and ankle ailments. Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are dedicated to helping our Hartford County patients. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.

Children ArthritisPodiatryCare and the Heel Pain CenterArthritis, children, Children's Foot Pain, Child Arthritis, orthotics, surgery, Podiatrist, Foot PainComment