4 Foot & Ankle Problems Common in Children

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Because the bones, ligaments, tendons, and other components of their bodies are still in the developmental process, kids are more likely to develop injuries and certain diseases. Your children’s foot health should be carefully monitored and can be greatly enhanced with frequent visits to your foot care professional for the necessary assessments and treatments.

4 common childhood foot problems include:

1)    Achilles tendinitisWhen the Achilles tendon becomes irritated and inflamed during sports and exercises that entail a lot of running, jumping, and hard landings, the pain and discomfort can be disabling. See your podiatrist for proper care, which may involve wearing an immobilizing boot while the tendon heals or surgery for more severe cases.

2)    Foot and ankle fractures—An actual break in the bone is called an acute fracture and is categorized by partial or complete fracture. When a bone is sticking through the skin, it is called a compound fracture and needs immediate attention. Stress fractures develop over time and are characterized by small cracks that can gradually expand, becoming extremely painful. Stress fractures can mimic other foot and ankle conditions so see your podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis.

3)    Sprained anklesThis is one of the most common injuries in children and the general population and occurs when the supporting ligaments and tendons around your ankle are injured from rolling your ankle. Although rest, icing, compression, and elevation are the recommended home treatments, always seek help from your foot doctor in treating ankle sprains since a poorly treated sprain can easily become chronically re-injured.

4)    Sever’s disease — Children, particularly those involved in athletic activities, can develop this disease in which the growth plate on the heel becomes swollen and very painful from repetitive stress. The problem will usually resolve with rest, icing, changing footwear, stretches, and exercises.

If your child has suffered a foot or ankle injury, consult with a foot doctor for the proper diagnosis and best care. At Andrew Shapiro, DPM and Michael Barkin, DPM, our board-certified podiatrists Dr. Shapiro and Dr. Barkin have years of experience to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems. We can assist you with heel pain, diabetic foot care, and pediatric foot care, among many other conditions. Our practice is conveniently located in Valley Stream in Nassau County to accommodate all of your foot care needs. Call (516) 825-3860 or book an appointment online today!