Pediatric Podiatrist in Brentwood, CA

Many parents feel their child is born with crooked feet. While others think their child’s feet may be a bit wide. Feet are usually the body part that requires the most urgent care services in children. That is because feet develop early on in life and have a direct impact on the child’s development later on. Therefore, parents immediately take their child to the doctor if they begin to notice anything wrong with their feet.

Feet are attached to the legs and are responsible for coordinating the body’s movements. They also support the body weight and parts of the body structure. Therefore, when something is wrong with the feet, the whole body will begin to experience issues as well. A podiatrist is a specialist who treats foot disorders and other foot problems. The most common treatment for foot problems involves orthotics; this involves using arch supports and insoles to correct foot deformities. However, some cases require surgery to correct severe deformities or diseases. For example, arthroscopic procedures correct osteoarthritis by removing the damaged cartilage via mini-scalpels within the foot joints. This can be the case for other severe deformities and diseases as well if the podiatrist deems it that severe.

The only similarity that a podiatrist and a pediatrician have in common is the fact they are both certified physicians that treat patients, including children. Pediatricians are specialty physician that focuses their work on pediatrics, which is children or babies’ doctor that helps them with primary care medical issues, or checkups.

While a podiatrist may help treat children, they are healthcare physician that specializes in diagnosing and treating foot ailments in their patients.

Once your baby starts walking around the furniture and taking his first steps, it’s important to consider what shoes to buy for your little walker. The foot is a complex structure made up of 26 bones. These bones are designed to support the entire body, adapt to uneven surfaces, and absorb shock with every step. The AAP recommends the following when recommending shoes for children: Shoes should be light and flexible to support natural foot movement and have a stable base of support.

Shoes should be leather or mesh to allow your baby’s feet to breathe comfortably.

Shoes should have rubber soles to provide traction to prevent slipping or slipping.

Stiff and compressive shoes can cause deformity, weakness, and limited mobility.

Choose shoes for children based on the barefoot model.

When the child is engaged in more strenuous activities, the shoes should have good shock absorption and a durable sole.

Does your child complain of foot pain? Children sometimes have growing pains due to the rapid growth of the feet during childhood, which is the most common childhood foot problem. There are other fairly common foot problems in children, but some are serious and should be treated by your podiatrist as soon as possible. If you have questions or concerns about any unusual foot pain your child is experiencing, consult a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. If your child complains of persistent foot pain, it’s time to see a podiatrist. Persistent or severe pain indicates that something is wrong. Foot problems in children include permanent flat feet, misaligned feet, and foot or ankle injuries. Undiagnosed foot pain in childhood can lead to major long-term problems such as arthritis, muscle weakness, deformity, anxiety, and severe pain. It’s best to catch foot problems early to prevent further injury and a lifetime of pain.

Common foot problems in children that typically self-correct or correct with minor intervention include the following:

– Stubbed toes
– Blisters
– Pigeon Toes (toes pointing in)
– Out-Toeing
– Pinching due to incorrect shoe size
– Tiptoe Walking
– Bowed legs
– Knock-knees
– Flat feet

We serve patients from Walnut Creek CA, Brentwood CA, Concord CA, Pleasant Hill CA, Antioch CA, Alamo CA, Danville CA, Pittsburg CA, and Oakley CA.