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Do your child’s feet turn inward? If so, it’s fairly easy to tell, particularly when they walk. This condition is known as pigeon toes and it is often genetic (so if you have a family history of pigeon toes chances are more likely that your child will develop this foot problem, too).How are pigeon toes diagnosed?
When you bring your child into the podiatrist’s office, the specialist will examine your child’s walk and gait. They will also observe how your child stands to see if their feet turn inwards or to look at how your child’s hips are positioned. Your podiatrist may also recommend imaging tests to look at the alignment of the bones.
While a pediatrician may be the first person to look at and diagnose your child’s pigeon toes, a pediatric podiatrist is going to be able to provide your little one with the specialized treatment and care they need.
How are pigeon toes treated in children?
Most parents are relieved to find out that many children grow out of mild to moderate forms of pigeon toes. While this may take a few years, this is nothing to worry about and children won’t require special treatment or care.
However, if this issue is detected in your infant, they may need to wear a cast on the feet to fix the alignment before your child begins walking. A podiatrist can also show you a series of stretches and massages that can help the bones grow into the proper alignment.
If your child’s pigeon toes are still causing them issues by 10 years old, then you may want to talk with your podiatrist about whether surgery may be necessary to correct these bone alignment issues.
While mild pigeon toes may not be a cause for concern, children with more severe cases may have trouble walking or may not be able to participate in sports. Some children may also deal with teasing due to their condition. It’s important to discuss all of these issues with your child’s podiatrist so they can help you find the right treatment option to meet your child’s needs.
If your child has pigeon toes, it’s best to speak with a qualified foot doctor to find out the best way to address this issue to prevent mobility issues in your growing little one. A podiatrist can easily treat pigeon toes and other foot and ankle conditions in children, teens, and adults.
Foot and ankle problems make walking, standing, and carrying out your usual daily activities difficult. Fortunately, your podiatrists in Chandler, AZ, at Family Foot & Ankle Care offer helpful treatments for a variety of foot and ankle conditions.
Do you know when to make an appointment with your Chandler, AZ, foot doctor?
It's a good idea to schedule an appointment if you experience any of these issues:
- A Foot or Ankle Injury: Pain and swelling due to an injury may gradually get better if you stay off your feet as much as possible for a few days. If your pain is severe or hasn't decreased in a week or two, it's a good idea to see a podiatrist. If you force yourself to carry out your usual schedule despite the pain, you may very well end up regretting your decision. If injuries aren't treated promptly, pain or mobility issues could become chronic and affect your ability to walk, stand, or move easily.
- Pain: Pain is a common complaint in foot and ankle conditions ranging from ingrown toenails to retrocalcaneal bursitis to plantar fasciitis. As pain is a sign that something isn't quite right, it should never be ignored.
- Changes in the Appearance of Your Feet or Ankles: Does your foot or ankle look deformed after a fall or accident? You may have dislocated or broken a bone. Get in touch with your podiatrist as soon as possible if you suspect a broken or dislocated bone. Do you have a bump at the base of your big toe (bunion) or a bent toe (hammertoe)? Your podiatrist offers treatments that improve the alignment of your toe and reduce your pain.
- Infection: Redness, red streaks, pus, and warmth can be signs of an infected wound, as can a fever. Call your podiatrist right away if you notice any of these signs. If you're a diabetic, a foot infection could lead to serious health complications. Don't attempt to treat wounds at home if you have diabetes, as they may be more likely to become infected.
- Unusual Sensations: Does your foot feel cold, warm, or numb? Do you have a tingling or pins-or-needles sensation in your feet? These symptoms could indicate a problem with your nerves or circulation and should be evaluated as soon as possible.
Ease your pain with a visit to your Chandler, AZ, podiatrists. Call Family Foot & Ankle Care at (480) 732-0033 to schedule your appointment.
Are you flat-footed? If so, you join the ranks of about 18 million American adults over age 21 that also have this common foot condition, reports the National Foot Health Assessment. Having flat feet simply means that you don’t have arches in your feet, which means that the entire foot touches the ground when you stand or walk. While flat feet won’t cause problems for some, others may regularly deal with achy, sore feet or pain in the ankles, legs, or thigh. If you are dealing with foot pain and you think it may be due to flat feet, your podiatrist can help.What causes flat feet?
Sometimes flat feet are simply inherited (thanks mom and dad!). Other times they develop as a result of a weakening of the posterior tibial tendon due to age-related wear and tear, physical activity, and overpronation. Those who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop flat feet.
Should I be concerned about my child’s flat feet?
The arches of the feet develop during childhood, so it’s not normal for your baby or toddler to have arches. Their flat feet are perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. Arches typically won’t form until your child is two or three years old, and some children won’t develop arches until the age of five.
What are some ways to treat flat feet?
If you aren’t experiencing any symptoms then there is no reason to seek treatment for your flat feet; however, if you are dealing with foot pain, particularly around the heel or arches of the foot, then you should talk with your podiatrist about ways to ease your pain and prevent further flare-ups. Some conservative ways to treat flat feet include,
- Wearing properly fitted shoes that provide ample cushioning and support for the entire foot, particularly the arches and heel
- Consider getting prescription orthotics from your podiatrist, which can evenly distribute the weight throughout the foot rather than putting added pressure on the arches or heel
- Losing weight, if the patient is overweight or obese
- Taking pain relievers such as ibuprofen, which can reduce pain and swelling
- Talking to your podiatrist about special exercises that you can do to improve the strength and function of the ligaments, tendons, and muscles of the foot to reduce pain
- Weighing the pros and cons of surgical intervention
Fallen arches and flat feet can impact a person’s ability to walk or run. If you are dealing with pain and other issues due to flat feet, a podiatrist can provide you with simple solutions to ease discomfort and improve how your feet function as a whole.
A puncture wound in the foot occurs when you step on an object that leaves a small hole behind. One of the most common puncture wounds comes from stepping on a nail. Puncture wounds are not simply cuts and will require different treatment and care to prevent infection and other complications from occurring. If you’re dealing with a puncture wound, you probably took a trip to your local emergency room for care. Even if you’ve done this, you should still follow up with a podiatrist to make sure the wound is properly cared for and tended to.Dealing with a puncture wound? Here are the steps you should take,
- Seek immediate medical attention (head to your local ER)
- You may need a tetanus shot if it’s been more than 10 years since your last shot
- Schedule an appointment with your podiatrist within 24 hours of the injury
- Your podiatrist will provide you with a variety of care instructions to keep it clean and disinfected (make sure to follow all of these instructions)
When you come into the podiatrist’s office the first thing they will do is assess the wound and make sure it is properly cleaned. They will also make sure there is no debris remaining. To clean the wound, a numbing gel may be applied to the area first. Sometimes a round of antibiotics is prescribed to prevent an infection from developing. If your podiatrist suspects that you might still have a piece of an object in the wound or that there might be bone damage, imaging tests may need to be performed.
You must keep off the foot so that it can fully heal. If you’ve been prescribed antibiotics, make sure to take the medication until it is finished (if you stop taking it before the medication is finished it won’t be as effective). While your foot heals you must examine it daily and look for any signs of infection. These signs include,
- Fever
- New or worsening pain
- Swelling
- Redness
- Drainage
- Skin that’s warm to the touch
It’s important to turn to a podiatrist right away to treat your puncture wound to prevent complications. A foot and ankle specialist can provide you with instructions on how to properly care for your wound to ensure that it doesn’t get infected. Seek treatment right away.
It’s an embarrassing problem. Smelly feet can make you feel self-conscious. You can’t get comfortable or take your shoes off without worrying that everyone will notice your stinky feet. Have you ever wondered what might be going on to cause this problem in the first place? While some people are more prone to smelly feet than others, your podiatrist can provide you with some tips to get rid of offensive-smelling foot odors.Did you know that there are about 250,000 sweat glands in a pair of feet? Sweat glands are more heavily concentrated in the feet than any other part of the body so it’s not too surprising that you may deal with smelly feet at some point. Common causes for stinky feet include:
Poor ventilation: If you wear shoes all day, or you choose shoes made from non-breathable materials, then you may find yourself dealing with some pretty offensive feet at the end of the day. Give your feet some time to breathe or look for shoes made from more breathable fabrics.
Bacteria: Just like the rest of your body, there are bacteria on your feet that also thrive off sweat. Unfortunately, when the bacteria feed off sweat they also produce acid, which is responsible for that unpleasant odor.
Fungus: Unfortunately, our feet are also a popular place for fungus because they are warm, moist, and prone to sweat. Even if bacteria aren’t to blame, it could be a fungus. If you are dealing with a red, itchy rash on your feet, you could have Athlete’s foot, which can also cause smelly feet.
Hormones: Sometimes hormones can play a role. That’s why teens and pregnant women are more likely to deal with this problem.
How to Treat Smelly Feet
If you are dealing with smelly feet, some simple remedies help. Some of these home remedies include,
- Wash feet at least once a day with soap and warm water. Make sure that you dry your feet thoroughly after.
- Make sure to dry feet as soon as possible after dealing with sweaty or perspiring feet.
- Choose socks made from materials that wick away sweat and improve ventilation.
- Apply deodorizing sprays or powders in shoes every day after wear, and make sure to wait 24 hours before wearing the same shoes again.
If you’ve tried the at-home options above and you’re still dealing with smelly feet, then it’s worth turning to your podiatrist for more effective solutions. Some prescription-strength medications and sprays can help target bacteria and fungus, and also reduce perspiration.
Those dealing with hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating, may find electrical stimulation to be an effective way to reduce severe and heavy sweating caused by this condition.
We know that even though bromodosis isn’t dangerous, that it can still be embarrassing. If you are having trouble getting your smelly feet under control, your podiatrist can help.
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