Children are in a constant state of growth and development and therefore often require frequent shopping trips to purchase items that will fit their growing bodies. Shoes often fall into this list of necessities, and with the purchase of new shoes parents should also keep in mind the necessity of proper foot health. Children in particular are prone to developing flat feet, a condition characterized by an abnormal collapse of the arch while standing. Parents can watch for early signs of the condition, which include: a flat foot arch at age 5 or older, heels that tend to angle outward when seen from the back, clumsiness during activity or early leg fatigue, or foot, knee or ankle pain during or after activity or the middle of the night.
Certain sports and physical activities may become difficult for children with flat feet. If you suspect that your child has the condition, speak to Dr. Jeffrey Conforti of New Jersey. Dr. Conforti will answer any of your foot and ankle related questions and attend to all of your podiatric needs.
What are Flat Feet?
Flat feet are a condition in which the arch of the foot is depressed and the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the ground. Standing about 20-30% of the population generally has flat feet because their arch never formed during growth.
Conditions & Problems:
Having flat feet makes it difficult to run or walk because of the stress placed on the ankles.
Alignment – The general alignment of your legs can be disrupted, because the ankles move inward which can cause major discomfort.
Knees – if you have complications with your knees, flat feet can be a contributor to arthritis in that area.
Symptoms:
Pain around the heel or arch area
Trouble standing on the tip toe.
Swelling around the inside of the ankle.
Flat look to one or both feet.
Having your shoes feel uneven when worn
Treatment:
If you are experiencing pain and stress on the foot you may weaken the posterior tibial tendon, which runs around the inside of the ankle.
For more information about Flat Feet, follow the link below.
If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices located in Paramus and Clifton, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
For kids who are overweight or non-athletic, running can be a fun and effective way to stay in shape. It doesn’t require any equipment beyond proper footwear, making it very accessible, and if kids have family members or friends to run with, it can serve as a positive bonding experience.
The bones of most children and young adults are still developing, so it’s important that they are properly supervised and taught good running techniques to avoid injury. To be as safe as possible, kids shouldn’t run every single day, and should also try to participate in other activities that strengthen different muscles.
It’s important to monitor the health of your kids’ feet, especially if they do a lot of athletic activities. If you have questions about maintaining children’s foot health, talk to podiatrist Dr. Jeffrey Conforti of New Jersey. Dr. Conforti will give you professional advice about how to care for kids’ developing lower limbs.
Keeping Children's Feet Healthy
Having healthy feet in childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care from birth to school-age.
Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.
· Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet
· Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable
As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. Be sure the child wears comfortable and protective shoes so that they can grow into their feet properly.
As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet
Children of all ages are constantly developing and growing, and as a parent you want to make sure that nothing is hindering their maturation.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office in Paramus, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Read more about Keeping Children’s Feet Healthy.