When To See a Pediatric Foot Doctor: Signs and Symptoms To Watch For

Your child’s foot health is important because you want your child to stay active. Knowing when to see a pediatric foot doctor and what signs and symptoms to watch for is helpful. Dr. Brandi Myers at Sellwood Podiatry in Portland, OR, provides comprehensive foot care services for people of all ages, including children.

What You Need To Know About Pediatric Foot Care

There are several pediatric foot conditions that a pediatric foot doctor can treat, including:

• Flat feet
• Poor toe and foot alignment
• Frequent tripping
• Ankle bulging
• Bowed legs
• Ingrown toenails
• Knock knees
• Plantar warts

You should bring your child to visit a pediatric foot doctor if you notice:

• Problems walking or standing
• Difficulty with balance
• Pain in the feet, toes, or ankles
• Swelling and bruising that doesn’t resolve
• A cut, bruise, or blister that doesn’t heal

Your pediatric foot doctor may recommend several types of treatment, including:

• Custom orthotics, to help with gait issues, realignment of feet and toes, and flat feet
• Laser therapy, to treat ingrown toenails, fungal infections, and plantar warts
• Exercises and physical therapy, to help with gait issues, leg strengthening, and foot and toe realignment

Ankle, foot, and toe injuries are common in older children who play sports. You should bring your child to visit a pediatric foot doctor if you notice:

• Difficulty or pain when walking or standing
• Obvious dislocated bones, tendons, or ligaments
• Bruising and swelling that doesn’t resolve
• Cuts and lacerations that don’t heal

To treat injuries, a pediatric foot doctor may recommend:

• Wound dressing to prevent infection
• Ice packs to reduce swelling
• Surgical therapy to repair damaged areas
• Assistive devices including walking casts, boots, or crutches

You can do a lot to keep your child’s feet healthy. Remember to:

• Avoid having your child go barefoot, to prevent injury, fungal infections, and other issues
• Make sure your child wears the right footwear for the activity your child is doing
• Examine your child’s feet regularly, looking for cuts, blisters, and other wounds
• Apply antibiotic cream to wounds and bandage them to prevent infection

Want To Know More About Pediatric Foot Care?

To discover more about pediatric foot care and when to see a pediatric foot doctor, call Dr. Brandi Myers at Sellwood Podiatry in Portland, OR. You can reach her in the office by calling (503) 235-8594. Dr. Myers also offers convenient telehealth appointments, so call today.