Professional Children’s Podiatry in Tamworth
Looking After Growing Feet
If you’re looking for children’s podiatry in Tamworth or surrounding areas, we’re available to assist at Country Podiatry. You want the best for your children and so do we, which is why our podiatrists will help ensure your child’s feet remain in good health and free from pain and discomfort.
Children's feet tend to be more elastic and resilient than adults' feet. As a consequence, they are less prone to injury apart from the heel growth plate. The heel being one of the last parts of a child's foot to fully ossify, means that very active children can sometimes get a particular type of severe heel pain known as Sever's Disease. This is most common in kids who play soccer and basketball but running and jumping can also be a contributor.
At Country Podiatry, we can help reduce the pain and manage this condition.
Common Problems in Developing Feet
Aside from Sever’s Disease there are other common problems that can occur as your childrens’ feet develop including:
- Flat Feet: This is where there’s no arch development. A common enough occurrence, flat feet in children is not a major concern in and of itself. However flat feet in childhood may also lead to other problems later in life due to the developing body compensating for the support lacking due the structure of the foot.
- Toe Walking: Toe walking is a common habit in young children, but it can become a problem if it persists beyond the age of two or three. In some cases, it can be a sign of an underlying condition such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.
- Ingrown Toenails: Ingrown toenails can occur in children, especially if they wear shoes that are too tight or engage in activities that put pressure on the toes.
- Plantar Warts: Plantar warts are caused by a virus and can occur on the bottom of the feet. Children are more susceptible to plantar warts because their immune systems are not yet fully developed.
At Country Podiatry, we can assess, diagnose and treat many paediatric foot concerns.
In-Toeing & Out-Toeing
You might also be concerned that your child's foot may not develop properly if they walk with their feet angled towards or away from each other. Commonly referred to as in-toeing or out-toeing, this is a common condition experienced by children where the feet turn inward or outward when walking. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including abnormal bone development or muscle weakness.
Most children under the age of eight, who exhibit mild in-toeing or out-toeing, will grow out of it. If your child has severe in-toeing or out-toeing, (i.e., their foot seems fixed in place and it can't be straightened without forcing it), we recommend making an appointment with a paediatric podiatrist as soon as possible.
