Pediatric Foot Care

Infants, toddlers, children and teens all need optimal foot health as a foundation to carry them through their adult life. If you’ve been wondering when it’s time to call a pediatric podiatrist, you’re not alone. Almost everyone has a sore ankle or minor limp from time to time, but when your child’s health is at stake, guessing just isn’t good enough. If you suspect your child is struggling with a pediatric foot, ankle or lower leg condition, Ocean County Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates, P.C. is here to help.

Types of Pediatric Foot Conditions

We treat a number of different foot, ankle, and lower leg conditions, including the most common types found in kids:

  • Flatfoot: Sometimes the sole of the foot either partially or completely loses its arch. This causes the full length of the foot to come in contact with the ground. Flatfoot occurs in both children and adults. Flatfeet may be asymptomatic or cause pain and mobility issues. Evaluation by our pediatric podiatry specialists is recommended for the best course of treatment.
  • Intoeing: Often referred to as “pigeon toes,” intoeing is a generally painless condition that causes a child’s toes to point toward each other when the child is walking. Intoeing often corrects itself with time and physical maturity but should still be evaluated by a pediatric podiatrist so proper monitoring can occur.
  • Toe Walking: Ideally, children use a rolling motion when walking, striking the ground heel first before rolling the ball of the foot forward and finally pushing off of flexed toes. Children who toe walk put all their weight on their toes. This is another condition that typically self-corrects over time but evaluation by a pediatric foot and ankle specialist is still recommended.
  • Plantar Warts: Plantar warts are the outward symptom of the HPV virus that enters the skin via cuts or other easy access points. These warts usually appear on the bottom of the foot and tend to be painless. Plantar warts can still present social issues and discomfort that may be avoided with proper care and treatment from our pediatric foot specialists to ensure a speedy resolution.
  • Athlete’s Foot: As your kids get more involved in sports, they’re also more at risk of contracting a fungal infection called athlete’s foot. Infections frequently start with an itching or burning sensation between the toes and then spread to the surrounding areas of the skin. Though athlete’s foot is more common with increased physical activity, it can also be caused by tight-fitting shoes and damp socks, and it also is easily transmitted through shared rugs, clothing, bed linens, and via public areas such as communal showers, swimming pools and saunas.
  • Pediatric Sports & Traumatic Injuries: Whether your child has suffered an injury from a sprain to a break from sports, an active lifestyle or a traumatic injury, the evaluation and care of a pediatric podiatrist will give you piece of mind to have the best treatment to ensure they heal and continue growing with the least amount of complications from their injury.
  • Diabetic Foot Care: Diabetics, including children, have an increased risk of foot problems, especially as they age. Professional pediatric foot care should be sought for diabetic children. When you see signs of infection, they are experiencing burning pain, they notice tingling in their lower extremities, or they have wear and tear like sores, blisters, ingrown toenails, corns, calluses and warts, bringing them in for thorough evaluation by a pediatric podiatrist is suggested.

Symptoms And Treatment

Symptoms of pediatric foot conditions can be quite varied on the foot, ankle and lower leg, but if your child experiences prolonged itching or burning, skin lesions, issues with their gait, problems weight-bearing or walking or any kind of foot- or ankle-related pain or discomfort, it may be time to come in for an evaluation by one of our caring and knowledgeable pediatric podiatrists.

Proper treatment is key to fast, effective healing. Your pediatric podiatrist may recommend anything from lifestyle changes to prescription medication to patience. In the case of severe injuries or a disabling foot condition that doesn’t respond to conservative treatment, surgical intervention may be required.

It’s crucial that you help your child adhere to their doctor’s recommendations so they can find relief from their symptoms, progress as hoped and achieve an optimal outcome.

A Look At Our Team

The dedicated team of pediatric surgeons at Ocean County Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates, P.C. brings an impressive array of experience and credentials to the table. Our physicians are board-certified in specialties such as foot and ankle surgery, reconstructive foot surgery, wound care and hyperbaric medicine, with degrees from highly renowned institutions including Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia, the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in North Chicago, Illinois.

Together, their joint resume is nothing short of formidable. They are highly sought-after speakers, professors, residency directors, board members and, above all, doctors who truly care about their patients’ well-being.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Don’t trust your child’s health to just anyone. With six locations in and around Ocean & Burlington Counties, Ocean County Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates, P.C. is well placed to help your child and family with our convenient office locations. Call today to schedule an appointment and help your little one get back on their feet ASAP.