Why should my child see a podiatrist?
Because of developmental issues or injuries that can occur, it’s always beneficial to develop a healthy relationship with a podiatrist who specializes in pediatric foot and ankle care. While you can always schedule an overall wellness exam, it’s important to take your child to see a podiatrist if they:
- Develop ingrown toenails
- Have flat feet that are affecting sports activities
- Are pigeon-toed or have difficulty walking after age three
- Continue toe walking after age three
- Are bow legged after age two
These conditions don’t necessarily mean that there’s an issue. If your child does have a foot or ankle concern, however, early intervention can correct it.
How can my child prevent sports injuries?
Foot and ankle injuries are common among young athletes. A serious injury can affect your child for the rest of their life, especially if they don’t get proper treatment. For this reason, it’s important to teach your child injury prevention methods, such as:
- Warming up and cooling down with activities
- Wearing ankle or knee braces
- Wearing supportive footwear
It’s also essential to let your child know that they can stop playing if they feel any pain or discomfort. Otherwise, they can worsen the potential injury and might be out of the game for a longer period. Dr. Pickett can teach you and your child protective measures to decrease the risk of sports injuries in the future.
Which pediatric foot treatments does my child need?
As a pediatric foot and ankle specialist, Dr. Pickett spends time evaluating your child during a thorough physical exam. This usually involves watching your child walk or stand, and could also include X-ray imaging.
Once Dr. Pickett has a better understanding of the underlying issue, he can go over treatment options with you. Common pediatric foot treatments include:
- Bracing or orthotic inserts
- Specialized exercises or stretching
- Daily taping or padding
- Supportive footwear
These conservative treatments can usually correct any underlying developmental issues your child may have. If needed, Dr. Pickett can even perform minimally-invasive surgery to repair bone or soft tissue deformities or injuries.
Schedule your pediatric foot and ankle care visit at Upstate Podiatry Services either online or over the phone.
