Between acute injuries, developmental issues, and chronic conditions, there are plenty of reasons why your little one might need to see a podiatrist. At Upstate Podiatry Services in Schenectady, New York, you can meet with pediatric foot and ankle care specialist, Scott J. Pickett, DPM. Dr. Pickett and his team have extensive experience with treating young children in a caring, compassionate environment. You can book your child’s appointment either online or over the phone.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.