Flatfeet in Children and How a Podiatrist Can Help

Pediatric flatfoot is a condition in which the arch of the foot disappears or shrinks when a child stands. With flexible pediatric flatfoot, the arch reappears when standing on tiptoe or siting. If the arch does not reappear upon standing on tiptoe or sitting, this is known as rigid flatfoot. These conditions are usually present at birth, but most children outgrow them on their own before age five. If the condition is causing pain or doesn't go away on its own, it may be time to call in a podiatrist for help.

Symptoms of Pediatric Flatfoot

Symptoms of flatfeet can vary, depending on the type, the severity, and the age of the child. When a child has a flexible foot disorder, it generally does not cause any pain or discomfort and no treatment is needed. Kids with a rigid foot disorder may have problems that require treatment or therapy by a podiatrist. If pain occurs, it is usually felt in the foot, ankle, or lower leg, and can range from mild to severe. Other symptoms include cramping in the feet or legs, a change in gait, or heels that tilt upwards.

Diagnosing the Problem

Your child's pediatrician or podiatrist can usually provide a diagnosis upon examination. To make a proper diagnosis, the physician may ask your child to sit up, stand, sit down, walk, and stand on his or her tiptoes. If the problem seems severe, the physician may also have an X-ray taken of the foot to determine the extent of the deformity. If the ankle does not move much, the physician may associate the condition with a shortened or tight Achilles tendon, which may require additional treatment.

Surgical and Non-Surgical Treatments

There are both surgical and non-surgical treatments available for pediatric flatfoot. With the help of your podiatrist, you can work to determine the best solution for your child's individual condition. Kids with flexible flatfeet and without pain do not generally require treatment. If pain only occurs after activities, a physician may recommend the use of over-the-counter cushioned arch support pads that can be inserted into supportive shoes or sneakers.

If the condition is associated with a short or tight Achilles tendon, the tendon may need to be stretched to reduce or eliminate pain. Those with a tight Achilles tendon should not use hard arch supports, as these can contribute to the discomfort. In rare cases, surgery may be needed to relieve pain. Surgery is generally recommended for children age eight or older, and those who have a short Achilles tendon that requires lengthening.

Since the appearance of flatfeet is fairly common during the early years of life, it can be difficult to distinguish whether or not the condition will be problematic later on. When the condition does cause problems, it can make it challenging for a kid to "keep up" with his or her peers, especially during athletic and recreational activities. If you suspect that your child has this condition, it's important to discuss your concerns with a podiatrist.

To learn more about their options for a podiatrist in New Jersey, residents should visit http://www.ocfasa.com/ocean-county-foot-ankle-offices.html.

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What Are the Best Shoes for Your Feet to Avoid Foot Pain?

If you are suffering from foot pain or are trying to avoid foot pain, you might be wondering what are the best shoes for your feet to reduce foot pain. Certain shoes may be much easier on your feet and reduce your risk of foot problems and discomfort.

The Podiatrist Society will give an endorsement to specific shoes if they are good for your feet. Some of the more common comfortable shoes they have endorsed are: Dansko, Merrill and Clarke. These brands are designed to provide good arch support and a wide toe box. They are also constructed with a supportive cushioned heel to eliminate heel pain.

An expensive dress shoe that is designed by a female orthopaedic surgeon trained in foot and ankle surgery is Taryn Rose. These are designed especially to accommodate a painful foot while also providing the design appeal of high fashion.

If you have foot problems and you find that wearing high heels is painful, try wearing a wedge or platform dress shoe. It will give you more height while also putting less stress on your feet.

When looking for a running or workout shoe, the key components are a wide heel with a thick sole and a built in arch support. Workout shoes wear out. When they start to lose their cushion or the rubber on the sole begins to wear off, it is time to buy new shoes. Runners may want to keep track of their daily mileage so they know how many miles are on the shoes. Depending on the shoe type they should typically be replaced every 200-300 miles.

If you have a lot of foot pain, switching out shoes every other day is another useful tip. Changing your shoes will change the contact points on your feet. By wearing different shoes on different days, you may reduce foot pain. Alternating between two different pair of shoes can be helpful.

Walking barefoot on a hard surface such as a hardwood floor can worsen foot pain. If your home is not carpeted, consider wearing a shoe in your home for added comfort and support.

When you are shopping for new shoes, keep in mind that the toe box of the shoe should be wider or at least the same width as your foot. If you are placing your foot in a shoe that is more narrow than your foot it can create pain and ultimately a bunion deformity.

Taking care of your feet is important for your overall health and wellbeing. If you suffer from foot pain, standing, walking and running can be much more difficult. If you have ongoing foot pain or some type of foot condition like plantar fasciitis or bunions, you may want to seek help from a qualified medical provider for a diagnosis and additional treatment options. Ignoring persistent foot pain is not recommended since it may become more severe and lead to other problems.

Dr. Stacie L. Grossfeld is a board certified Orthopaedic Surgeon practicing in Louisville, Kentucky. She graduated from the University of Louisville School of Medicine, and completed a fellowship in Sports Medicine at the Fowler-Kennedy Sports Medicine Center. Dr. Grossfeld currently works as a louisville orthopedic surgeon in private practice at Orthopaedic Specialists and serves as a team doctor for several teams in the Louisville, Kentucky area. Dr. Grossfeld also serves as a clinical instructor at the University of Louisville. To learn more about her Louisville orthopedic medical practice, Orthopaedic Specialists call 502-212-2663.

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Heel Pain? It Could Be Plantar Fasciitis

Your feet take a beating every day. Think about how much walking you do in just your day to day activities. If you are active in sports your feet take even more abuse and you may experience heel pain. Even people who are not athletic can experience heel pain, and the most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis.

This is the inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament which connects your heel to the front of your foot. The plantar fascia ligament supports the arch of your foot and helps you walk correctly. These ligaments act as shock absorbers and too much pressure on your feet can tear or damage them. This in turn can cause stiffness and heel pain.

Risk Factors

If you are carrying extra weight you are at a greater risk for this condition. Women who are pregnant may experience plantar fasciitis because of the extra weight carried during pregnancy. Long distance runners or people that stand on their feet for long periods of time, such as factory workers, are also at greater risk. This condition is more common in women than men, and in both men and women between the ages of 40 and 70.

People with existing foot problems, for example high arches or flat feet, and people that have tight Achilles tendons may also be at a higher risk for this condition. If you are in any of these groups you may be able to avoid plantar fasciitis by wearing shoes with good arch support and firm soles.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms are stiffness and pain in the heel of the foot. The pain may develop slowly or be a sudden sharp. Some people experience a burning sensation or an ache on the bottom of their feet. The pain may be worse in the morning when you first get out of bed or if you have been lying down or sitting for an extended period. Also heel stiffness may make it hard to climb stairs. The pain from plantar fasciitis is not usually felt during prolonged activity, but may develop just after stopping because of the flare up of inflammation.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Your doctor will examine your feet and check for tenderness or soreness. He may also ask you to flex your foot while he pushes on your heel to gauge your pain. Your doctor may also order an MRI or x-ray to rule out fracture or other foot problems.

Most cases of plantar fasciitis can be relieved by rest and the use of over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen. If this treatment does not give you relief an injection of a corticosteroid into the damaged ligament may be a treatment option. A small and painless electrical current used in conjunction with topical corticosteroids on the skin of your heel may also be used to relieve pain and inflammation.

Physical therapy to stretch your Achilles tendon, plantar fascia, and leg muscles is a good choice for the treatment of this condition. In very severe cases surgery may be needed. In this surgery the ligament is partially detached and a second surgery is needed to lengthen the calf muscle. This is a very involved surgery and used only for very severe cases or in the event of an injury.

If you suffer from heel pain make an appointment with your doctor to rule out inflammation of the plantar fascia. This common condition can usually be treated easily with rest and NSAIDs, but if that does not give you relief be sure to visit your doctor and get the relief you need.

Kathryn McDowell is a health writer with a mission to educate her readers on a variety of conditions. She also explores the various treatments and recommends visiting an orthopedic doctor for the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

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