Pediatric Foot Conditions

If the foot condition is congenital, then there’s nothing that can cause it except for heredity or unfortunate circumstances that occurred during pregnancy. Acquired foot problems often have clear causes or contributing factors that can be identified and diagnosed. Timely diagnosis and treatment are of utmost importance, especially for children whose bodies are still growing and developing. 

Yes, you can take a number of effective measures to successfully protect your child’s feet. Here are some useful recommendations for keeping your child’s feet in good health.  

 • As your toddler is learning to walk, let him or her walk barefoot or only with socks. Shoes can interfere with the growing bones in the feet.

 • Check your child’s shoe size often and don’t let him/her wear shoes that are too small—it might be better to get shoes that are slightly bigger to allow room for growth. 

 • Instill proper habits like warming up and stretching before physical activity, and doing exercises that strengthen foot and calf muscles. 

 • Teach your child proper hygiene and grooming habits (don’t walk barefoot in damp communal areas like public swimming pools and locker rooms, cut the toenails straight across, don’t share towels, etc) 

 • Make sure your child is wearing proper shoes if he or she engages in sports and other high-impact physical activities. 

 • Be observant of the appearance and movement of your child’s feet. If you suspect that something might be wrong or unusual, see your pediatrician or pediatric foot specialist right away.

 • Because diet largely determines the health of your child’s immune function, make sure that he or she eats a diet that has all the needed nutrients to help prevent skin disorders such as plantar warts and athlete’s foot. 

It depends on the diagnosis, because some pediatric foot disorders can go away on their own as your child gets older. Flat feet are a very common ailment that usually resolves itself by 5 or 6 years of age. The habit of in-toeing (walking pigeon-toed with feet pointed inward) usually doesn’t require treatment as long as the child develops better muscle control and coordination as he or she gets older. Mild acquired conditions such as plantar warts and Athlete’s foot can be successfully treated at home with over-the-counter medication, improved personal hygiene, and common-sense precautions. Moderate to severe foot disorders will always require medical intervention whether they are congenital or acquired. We strongly urge you to see your child’s doctor right away for an accurate diagnosis and peace of mind. 

You should seek medical attention for your child right away if:

 • The foot is visibly malformed

 • The pain is intense (severe enough to change their usual movement or behavior, crying, etc)  

 • Your child’s gait is abnormal or unusual despite the lack of pain

 • The foot is showing signs of injury or infection (inflammation, bleeding, redness, etc)  

While many foot ailments are non-urgent in nature, it’s strongly recommended that you get an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible. Mistaking a serious disorder for a mild condition can lead to severe health consequences down the road. 

Yes, some types of foot problems can and do go away on their own as your child grows, gains better muscle coordination, and develops mature immunity. Mild cases of flat feet, plantar warts, and in-toeing behavior usually disappear without additional effort or therapy. However, assessing your child’s foot condition as benign without first consulting a pediatrician is not advisable. With a doctor’s guidance, you can better determine the best course of treatment for your child’s foot disorder. 

It depends on the type of foot disorder since some conditions will go away on their own as your child gets older. However, even initially mild ailments can eventually affect your child’s health and development permanently if allowed to worsen through inattention and lack of treatment. Children with weakened immunity for various reasons (chemotherapy, malnutrition, stress, organ transplant recipient, etc) may have trouble healing from plantar warts or Athlete’s foot. A minority of children may not outgrow flat feet or in-toeing, which can affect their mobility for years to come. A sprained ankle that heals wrong can be more susceptible to re-injury. Severe foot disorders or injuries can also bring a host of related health complications if treatment is withheld, which can include chronic pain, altered gait, secondary infections (cellulitis, toenail fungus, etc), permanent disfigurement, and much more. We cannot stress strongly enough that neglect is the most serious threat to any child’s good health. 

The prescribed treatment will be determined by your child’s diagnosed condition, type and intensity of symptoms, and health history. Various therapy options include:

 • Orthotic shoe inserts or orthotic footwear

 • Anti-inflammatory, non-steroidal medications 

 • Physical therapy (balance, flexibility, strength training)

 • Ultrasound

 • Prescription topical or oral medications to treat infection

 • Braces, splints, casts, and other corrective or protective devices

 • Cryotherapy (for specific ailments like plantar warts)

 • Surgery (for many types of severe congenital and acquired disorders, like cleft foot, grade 3 ankle sprains, and more)

Ensuring a child’s health and happiness is the top priority for every parent. By taking prudent precautions and instilling good hygiene habits, you can successfully minimize risk and preserve your child’s good health through childhood and beyond.