It’s not uncommon to see children walking on their toes. Sometimes, their gait may seem wobbly, and their knees turn inward. It’s important to know that certain foot and posterior chain disorders can affect toddlers from the moment they take their first steps. To play it safe, you can always make an appointment with a children’s chiropodist to see if a podiatric treatment is required.
Children’s feet treatments: types of chiropody care for children
Chiropody care for children with foot conditions can begin before the little one’s first birthday. Flat feet, club feet, or (for children of walking age) pain in the feet and legs are all possible pathologies. The sooner you seek out chiropody care for your child, the easier and quicker it will be to restore a good balance. Treatments in podopediatrics are mostly gentle and non-intrusive. Strapping is sometimes prescribed to relieve pain and restore the proper bone and muscle position. You can seek advice from a children’s podiatrist about the best shoes for your child or the need for orthopedic shoes. Additionally, orthopedic inserts can be used to improve the child’s posture.
Chiropodist assessments and diagnoses from a pediatric podiatrist
Chiropodist care for children begins with an assessment. To determine a suitable treatment, the pediatric podiatrist begins with a biomechanical examination where they check the foot joints and assess their impact on the lower limb chain. And when it comes to chiropody care for children who can’t yet walk, the chiropodist manipulates the foot. Next comes the postural examination, which can be carried out with the help of machines and cameras. The chiropodist captures the child’s movements to find anomalies not caught by the naked eye. At this stage, potential pathologies, skeletal imbalances, or asymmetries can be identified.
The chiropodist may then request medical imaging to check if internal tissues are subject to problems not yet detected. The chiropody childcare assessment often concludes by taking a cast that can be used to make a custom orthosis.
Orthopedic care for children
Among the many children’s feet treatments offered by childcare chiropodists, foot orthoses are the most common and effective. A child’s body is growing and malleable, which makes it easier to correct imbalances and postural problems. Foot orthotics can treat a wide range of conditions, including flat feet, inward or outward-facing knees, or foot and ankle pain. This treatment can be prescribed to a child as young as three, either as a standalone treatment or as part of a larger chiropody childcare plan.
Chiropodist childcare and orthopedic shoes for children
Due to their posture in the womb, all babies are born with flat feet and bowed legs. Until around the age of five, children’s feet are constantly changing. The arches are protected by a layer of fat that gives babies’ feet a flattened appearance. Therefore, orthopedic shoes should only be worn once the child is walking and foot muscles are well developed.
Orthopedic shoes stabilize the foot and prevent pain caused by poor posture. The footwear can be combined with orthopedic insoles for better support. A child without postural or developmental conditions will not benefit from wearing orthopedic shoes. In fact, it’s recommended that children wear soft shoes to promote balance and muscle development.
Make a podiatrist appointment for your child
If you think you recognize symptoms affecting your child’s feet, a foot check-up may be necessary. The sooner you make the appointment, the easier it will be to rectify the problem and prevent complications in adulthood. FootNetwork chiropodists are here to help with a range of podopediatric treatments—contact the clinic nearest you.
