Kids Foot Care
Pediatric Care
Child Foot Problems
Many adult foot problems and deformities originate at childhoood. In toeing gait (Internal tibial torsion) for example, is caused by intra-uterine position (Position of baby in womb) Although this problem can be outgrown, those that dont, can be treated with custom foot orthotics UCBL type and orthopedic footwear.
It has been our experience that proper care and treatment of the feet, begining in childhood, will prevent many of the mechanical and orthopedic problems seen in adults. Many children walk pigeon toed, flat footed or bowlegged. Although they are not in pain, they are damaging their feet.
Early diagnosis is key to preventing problems in the future, therefore, we will assess your child’s feet to determine if they require any corrective shoes or custom made foot orthotics (UCBL Type) in order to prevent any future disorders from occurring.
Orthotics for Kids
Orthotic devices can be used to maintain proper support. They are made of plastic and must be refitted as the child grows older. Orthotics help to realign the foot and distribute body weight evenly. These orthotics are UCBL type orthotics.
If you suspect your child might have any foot problems, have a Gait Maxx Foot Care Specialist examine your child. You may spare your child’s future problems late in life.
In-Toeing
The majority of children’s feet point straight ahead or slightly outward. Children whose feet point inward are said to have “in-toeing” or be “pigeon toed”. In the vast majority of children, in-toeing will go away without any treatment. In the past braces were used to treat in-toeing; however, recent studies have shown that braces offer no advantages and do not alter the natural history of resolution over time in most cases. The usual progression of rotational growth in the lower extremity leads to correction of most cases of in-toeing by age 6 to 8.
In a small percentage of children, the in-toeing does not completely resolve; however, most of these children will cope just without any difficulties in their activities of daily living. Rarely does a child with unresolved in-toeing need surgical treatment to correct the problem. There is no evidence that in-toeing leads to arthritis or causes clumsiness. In fact, many of our best track and field athletes are pigeon toed. Occasionally, in-toeing may cause problems with shoe-wear, but braces, or inserts do not correct the problem.
Out-Toeing
Out-Toeing is much less common that in-toeing. The most typical presentation is within the first or second year of life. Most children are born with external rotation contractures of the hips and this solves shortly after walking begins. In those children in whom the resolution is slower, out-toeing is the result when they first start walking. This will almost always resolve within a year from the onset of walking.
Out-Toeing may also be caused by outward twisting of the tibia or femur bone, and is not usually seen in normal children, but is more common in those with the neuromuscular abnormalities. As with in-toeing, custom made foot orthotics for kids, bracing and shoewear are helpful in resolving the deformity. Occasionally, a normal child will have out-toeing from tibial or femoral outward twisting that does not resolve by the end of the first decade and that may cause functional difficulties. If this is the case, custom made foot orthotics and orthopedic foot wear can help prevent adult hood problems.
Osgood-Schallatter's Disease
One of the most common causes of knee pain in adolescents, its really not a disease, but over use injury. OSD Can be quite painful, but usually resolves within 12-24 months. Osgood-Schallatter disease is an inflamation of the bone, cartilage, and/or tendon at the top of the skin bone (tibia), where the tendon for the kneecap (patells) attaches. Most of the time only one knee is affected. Kids who play sports increase risk of OSD if they play sports involving runnning, twisting, and jumping such as basketball, football, volleyball, soccer, tennis, figure skating, hockey, and gymnastics.
Treatment
Foot Orthotics (Custom made ones) can be the solution to control and stop the causative factors. Orthotics with shock absorbant materials can decrease stress on the knee. Also orthopedic footwear can help to alleviate both Sever’s and Osgood-Schallater’s disease. If you are a parent and you have a child that may need our help, make an appointment today, our specialists will make sure your child gets the care they need.
Severs Disease
Although the name might sound pretty frightening, Severs Disease is really a common heel injury that occurs in kids. It can be painful. Severs Disease, is a painful bone disorder that results from inflammation of the growth plate in the heel. A growth plate, also called an epiphyseal plate, is an area at the end of a developing bone where cartilage cells change over time into bone cells. Severs Disease is a common cause of heal pain in growing kids especially those who are physically active. It usually occurs during the growth spurt of adolescences.
The growth spurt can begin any time between the ages of 8-13 years for girls and 10-15 years for boys. Severs Disease results from standing too long, which contributes to the condition by not providing enough support or padding.
Causes
Pronated Foot (Ankle that rolls in, (see conditions menu to the left)) when walking
Flat or High arched foot, which affects the ankle and heel within the foot
Being over weight (Obesity)
Treatment
Custom made foot orthotics UCBL type and orthopedic footwear, as well as ankle supports can help alleviate the pain, and bring the comfort your child is looking for.