What is pediatric foot and ankle care?
Pediatric foot and ankle care is essential if your child has an injury, infection, deformity, or unknown cause of pain in their lower extremities. Your child may need pediatric foot and ankle care to diagnose and treat:
- Flat feet
- Plantar warts
- Athlete’s foot
- Intoeing (pigeon-toed walking)
- Toenail fungus
- Crossover toes
- Ingrown toenails
- Adolescent bunions
- Plate growth injuries
Your child might also need to see a podiatrist if they suffer a sports injury, such as an ankle sprain, and need to get treated right away.
When should I take my child to a podiatrist?
The compassionate pediatric podiatrists at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Care understand how overwhelming it can be to need to bring your child to a specialist. They work diligently to put your mind at ease and care for your little one (and you!) every step of the way.
The podiatry team encourages you to schedule a pediatric foot and ankle care exam if your child:
- Is pigeon-toed or bowlegged
- Limps or shows signs of discomfort
- Isn’t walking by about 18 months of age
- Has signs of a foot wound or infection, like red patches or itchiness
You should also schedule a pediatric foot and ankle exam for your child if they experience any kind of trauma or injury to their lower extremities.
What happens during a pediatric foot and ankle care exam?
The entire team at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Care is dedicated to ensuring you and your child feel comfortable and welcomed throughout every step of your child’s diagnosis and treatment. During your child’s pediatric foot and ankle care evaluation, your podiatrist examines your child’s feet and may observe them walk. Your podiatrist might also:
- Request in-office X-rays
- Order blood work to check for infection
- Talk with you about your child’s symptoms
Once your pediatric podiatrist has the details of your child’s condition and provides a diagnosis, they sit and talk with you about treatment options, such as specialized braces. Depending on your child’s diagnosis, they may need to start treatment the same day, or have you come back for follow-up visits to undergo the treatment they need.
Click on the online scheduler to book a pediatric foot and ankle care exam at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Care today, or call your most convenient clinic to speak with a team member.
