3 Common Pediatric Foot Problems

As your kids grow, they may encounter various pains and strains. The child might come to you limping or walking on their toes and complaining of heel pain. Such symptom might be as a result of injuries like Achilles tendonitis. Problems of the feet are common in children.  Despite the fact that they are not so severe, proper diagnosis and treatment are recommended. Overuse of the heel and feet results to the development of injuries gradually as time continues to pass along. That is the more reason as to why immediate treatment is important to avoid any more severe injury or chronic pain. One of the common causes of feet injury in children is due to their involvement in rigorous and competitive sports. Below are some of the most common feet problems in children and how you can help your child to heal

Achilles tendonitis

The Achilles muscles are the one which connects both muscles of the calf to the heel bone. When this kind of injury happens in children most often, it is as a result of a sudden increase in activities. Symptoms occur a few weeks after the injury occurred and will include pain at the back of the foot, swelling, warmth and difficulties during walking. Treatment of this feet problem is straightforward and easy. It includes resting along with ice compression along with the elevation of the feet. You can also opt to use the anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen to help reduce the swelling and pain.

Fractures

It mostly happens to those children who engage in rough sports activities. This kind of heel problem can occur after the child falls. The child will be unable to put even a little weight on the affected foot along with severe pain, bruising and swelling. It will require conservative treatment of the fracture which includes ice, resting and immobilization. After the healing process, physical therapy can significantly assist with the gradual return to the usual activities.

Sever’s disease

Also known as the Calcaneal Apophysitis is the most common cause of feet problems in children. It is one kind of overuse injury which is caused by the repetitive trauma as a result of small trauma during sports, jumping ropes or running. The common symptoms include severe pain in the back of the heel.  You can also feel some tenderness at the back of the foot when squeezing that area. Swelling along with warmth might accompany the other symptoms as well. Pain medications such as acetaminophen are recommended or ibuprofen. You can also stretch the calf muscles and use the cushioned heel lifts temporarily to relieve the pain. With all the proper medications and treatment, the symptoms will resolve in a couple of weeks, and the child could return to taking part in sports again. 

Most problems of the feet in children can be easily treated at home. As a parent, you have the responsibility of encouraging your child to rest so as to heal and recover soon. However, if you need children's foot care in Huntington, please contact us.