We provide treatment for foot and ankle issues for patients of all ages, including children. When it comes to children’s foot care, we find that some issues tend to be more common than others. By understanding the common child foot conditions, you can easily recognize when your son or daughter needs medical care.
Foot Conditions Common in Children
- Pediatric flatfoot. Flatfoot should not be an area of concern unless the condition is causing painful symptoms or keeping your child from doing his or her favorite activities.
- Ingrown toenails. Any individual could develop ingrown toenails, but it is more common when children wear shoes that are too tight or small, or when their nails are trimmed too short or rounded.
- Plantar warts. Kids sometimes love sharing with one another, including strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause warts. Our office can provide treatment to remove these viral growths.
- Sever’s disease. A difference in the rates of growth between the heel bone and its connective tissue can lead to heel pain for adolescents. There are usually no long-term complications, and treatment centers on relieving existing symptoms.
- Sports injuries. Sports are rather popular activities for numerous kids and adolescents here in our Twin Falls, ID community. There are various benefits for participating in sporting events, but there is also always a risk of child foot injuries. Our office treats many young patients for injuries sustained during athletic practices or competition.
We certainly hope that we can treat any patient successfully with the use of conservative, nonsurgical methods, but this especially holds true for children. The good news is that many of these common child foot issues are treated effectively without the need for surgical intervention. Some of the methods that we may include in your son or daughter’s treatment plan might include:
- RICE method. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation can be quite effective to relieve painful symptoms, lower levels of inflammation, and help the body perform its natural healing processes.
- Medication. It is important to always check with our office for dosage recommendations, but nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be especially helpful for relieving pain and inflammation.
- Orthotic devices. Customized orthotic devices can be used as a highly-effective treatment tool for a wide range of issues. When we prepare orthotics, they are crafted to work in a specific manner with your child’s unique feet.
- Surgery. As noted, we will take every measure possible to treat a young patient’s condition with the use of nonsurgical care, but sometimes surgical procedures are simply necessary. When this is the case, you can find comfort in the knowledge that your son or daughter is in the hands of skilled, expert foot surgeon who has his or her health firmly in mind.
Foot and Ankle Injury Prevention Tips
We take pleasure in being able to treat a child’s foot or ankle condition through the use of conservative care, but even better is knowing that information we share prevents them from happening in the first place. There are several measures that can be taken to help reduce the risk of foot or ankle problems in your child.
Some of the top preventive foot care measures include:
- Shoes – Remember, shoes need to be appropriate for the activity a child does and they need to fit correctly.
- Weight Management – There are many benefits from encouraging your son or daughter to participate in physical activities, including keeping his or her weight in a normal range. This will lead to less stress on the feet and ankles.
- Stretches – Sever’s disease is not necessarily preventable, but a regular stretching routine can keep your child’s Achilles tendons and calf muscles limber, which will help.
Professional Child Foot Care in Twin Falls, ID
When your child is experiencing pain from a foot or ankle condition, we know that you will want him or her to have first-class child foot care services. Our foot doctors are ready to provide that care for your son or daughter, so make sure to schedule your appointment so we can address the trouble in its earliest stage and relieve painful symptoms as soon as possible. Contact Advanced Foot and Ankle in Twin Falls, ID by calling (208) 731-6321 for more information or to schedule an appointment.