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Foot problems in adult life can often be prevented through intervention in childhood. By the age of 12 a young person’s foot has nearly reached adult size which is why early childhod is an important time for correction of any developmental and structural abnormalities.
Guidelines to avoid Children’s foot disorders
Don’t restrict a baby’s development with tight bedclothes, booties, socks or blankets. This allows them to kick and exercise their feet and legs.
Discourage poor sleeping and sitting positions (ie. sleeping on stomach, sitting on the knees with feet turned out). Sitting with legs crossed is preferred.
Walking frames place stress on bones and muscles prematurely. Babies will begin to walk through natural development, usually between 9 – 18 months.
Babies are bow legged up to 2 years old, then go through a knock kneed stage which can last up to 7 years of age.
When you child begins to walk, look for signs of abnormailities in structure
Pigeon Toes
Definition
In-toeing is a common lower limb problem in which the feet point inwards, towards the midline of the body. It does not become apparent until the child begins to walk at about 12 – 18 months of age.
Causes
One of the most common causes of in-toeing is hamstring tightness. However, the condition can also be caused by abnormal positioning of the bones in the feet (metatarsus adductus), leg (medial tibial torsion), or hip (internal hip position). It can also be a result of neurological conditions such as Cerebral Palsy.
Your PODIATRIST can diagnose this and advise on the appropriate course of action.
Treatment
Treatment for in-toeing initially consists of adjusting the childs sitting and sleeping positions to encourage normal muscular development, and stretches for the hamstring muscles.
If this action fails, functional orthotics (custom-made shoe inserts) designed to encourage the child to walk in a more ‘normal’ position (gait plates) may be prescribed by your PODIATRIST. In the most serious of cases, serial plaster casting may be required. Your PODIATRIST can advise you on the appropriate course of action.
Growing Pains
Definition
Disruption of the growth plates causing inflammation at the tibial tuberosity (small lump of bone below the knee)
Symptoms
Children will most commonly complain of pain and stiffness in the calf muscles or front of the legs (shins). During the night they often awake crying or complaining of leg pains.
Causes
Children’s bone structure is generally more flexible than adults. Therefore, high activity or long hours on their feet commonly causes the muscles to be over-worked and thus, later cause muscles stiffness and pain.
Excessive pronation (feet ‘rolling’ inwards) results in some muscles in the feet and legs being over-worked in an attempt to stablise the child’s gait.
Treatment
Controlling excessive pronation, with orthotics (custom-made shoe inserts), gently stabilises the many bones, joints and soft tissue structures in children’s feet and lower legs. Orthotics re-align the young, growing bones and greatly reduces muscle over-use and strain.
Your PODIATRIST can also advise you on stretches that can be of benefit.
Sever’s Condition (Achilles Tendonitis)
Definition
Inflammation, pain and / or tenderness of the Achilles tendon.
Symptoms
Sharp pain at the back of the leg, just above the heel, limited ankle flexibility and inflammation over the affected area are often present.
Causes
Achilles tendonitis commonly occurs from shearing and traction forces on the Achilles tendon at the back of the heel.
When the foot pronates (“rolls inwards”) excessively, it can create increased traction or over-stretching of the Achilles tendon. This results in increased shearing forces on the tendon which commonly leads to inflammation and pain. Often a lumpy build-up of scar tissue occurs.
Treatment
By preventing the feet rolling inwards, through the use of orthotics (custom-made shoe inserts), this reduces the over-stretching and traction on the Achilles tendon, therefore allieviating the problems.
Additional therapy and specific stretching may also be prescribed by your PODIATRIST.
