Pediatric Foot Care

How can I tell if my child needs pediatric foot care?

Make a pediatric foot care appointment for your child if they regularly complain of foot pain or you notice an obvious foot abnormality, like pigeon toes (toes that point inward) or flat feet. The problem might get worse if not addressed promptly.

What problems does pediatric foot care treat?

The Advanced Foot and Ankle Specialists of Arizona team treats various pediatric foot problems, including:

Flat feet

All children are born with flat feet, but the arches usually develop by age 5-6. Some kids never develop arches due to genetics, increasing their risk of foot pain and other mobility problems. 

The team offers noninvasive treatments like custom orthotics (prescription shoe inserts) to ensure all children have proper arch support.

Sports injuries

Kids are active, whether playing sports or goofing around on the playground at recess. Unfortunately, foot and ankle injuries come with the territory, including sprains, pulled muscles, and tendonitis. 

Advanced Foot and Ankle Specialists of Arizona offers noninvasive and minimally invasive treatments to relieve pain and get your child back on their feet.

Sever’s disease 

Sever’s disease occurs when the growth plate in your child’s heel grows faster than their Achilles tendon, causing intense heel pain and making it hard to walk. Custom orthotics and at-home stretches are effective at providing relief.

Plantar warts

Plantar warts are hard, round growths found on weight-bearing areas, like the heels and balls of the feet. They form when human papillomavirus (HPV) enters the body through cracks or cuts in the skin.

Pediatric bunions 

Pediatric bunions form when the bones at the front of your child’s foot change position due to wear-and-tear or their gait (how they walk). That causes the big toe joint to bulge outward, resulting in a painful, swollen bump.

How are pediatric foot problems treated?

The Advanced Foot and Ankle Specialists of Arizona team treats pediatric foot problems with a conservative, minimally invasive approach. Your child’s provider might suggest:

• Custom orthotics 
• Physical therapy
• Cryotherapy or peeling medication (to remove a wart)
• Wearing a splint, boot, or walking cast
• Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)
• Activity changes
• Prescription shoes

Should your child need more specialized treatment, the team offers minimally invasive and traditional open foot and ankle surgery.

Call Advanced Foot and Ankle Specialists of Arizona today to schedule pediatric foot care for your child, or book an appointment online.