When your child complains about foot pain or you notice them walking differently, it's only natural to feel concerned. Young feet are still developing, and proper care during these crucial years helps prevent problems that could affect their mobility and activity level for years to come.
At Marvel Foot & Ankle Centers, we're more than just podiatrists—we're your personal team of foot care superheroes. We understand that pediatric foot care requires both medical skill and a gentle, reassuring approach that puts young patients—and you!—at ease. Here's how we can work together to ensure their continued health.
Understanding Your Child's Foot Development ![childrens feet]()
The first year of life marks a critical period in foot development, with rapid growth and changes that can impact long-term foot health. We provide these essential guidelines for parents:
- Early development care. During your baby's first year, regularly check their feet for any abnormalities. Keep footwear and coverings loose to allow natural movement and development. Regularly change your baby's position throughout the day to prevent excess strain on feet and legs.
- Walking milestones. Every child develops at their own pace. Allow your child to begin walking when they feel physically and emotionally ready, rather than forcing them to meet arbitrary timelines. Remember that independent walking ages vary significantly among children.
- Growth patterns. Young feet grow quickly, often requiring shoe and sock size changes every few months. Properly fitted footwear is essential for healthy foot development and comfort.
Protecting Growing Feet
Is your little one always on the go? Children's active lifestyles can put them at risk for various foot conditions. Here's what you should know:
- Make sure they have proper foot protection. While barefoot play has benefits, certain environments require shoe protection. Have children wear appropriate footwear to prevent splinters, cuts, and plantar warts, which can develop when viruses enter through breaks in the skin.
- Keep up with preventive care. Clean and treat minor cuts or scrapes promptly to prevent infection. Also, regular foot checks help catch potential issues early.
Common Pediatric Foot Conditions We Treat
Children's feet face unique challenges as they grow and develop. Our podiatrists regularly treat conditions such as:
- Flat feet. While many children naturally have flat feet early in life, persistent flat feet can cause pain and affect normal walking patterns. We assess each child's foot structure and development to determine if treatment is needed.
- In-toeing and out-toeing. These walking patterns, where feet point inward or outward while walking, often resolve naturally but may require treatment if they persist or cause difficulty walking.
- Ingrown toenails. Children often develop painful ingrown toenails due to improper nail trimming or tight shoes. We provide gentle treatment to relieve pain and prevent recurrence.
- Growing pains. Active children sometimes experience heel pain from conditions like Sever's disease, where the heel bone grows faster than surrounding muscles and tendons and occurs during growth spurts. We provide treatment to help manage pain while allowing continued activity.
- Warts and skin conditions. Children are particularly susceptible to plantar warts and other skin conditions. Our podiatrists offer effective treatments while ensuring your child's comfort throughout the process.
- Sports injuries. From sprains to stress fractures, your kids might experience various foot and ankle injuries during sports and play. We develop treatment plans that promote healing while accommodating your child's activity level.
Our Child-Friendly Treatment Approach at Marvel Foot & Ankle Centers
Parents choose our team because we believe in addressing foot problems early to prevent them from becoming more serious issues later. We thoroughly evaluate young patients to catch potential problems before they worsen. But each child is different, so you can be assured that we'll develop personalized treatment plans that consider your child's age, activity level, and specific condition.
Consider scheduling an appointment in our Gilbert or Chandler office if you notice:
- Your child suddenly avoids activities they usually enjoy or complains about foot pain during play.
- You observe your child walking on their toes, limping, or walking with feet turned significantly inward or outward.
- Your child consistently complains about foot or ankle pain, especially during or after physical activity.
And while we don't wear capes, one of our primary superpowers is that we make the take time to explain conditions and treatments in ways both parents and children can understand, ensuring everyone feels confident about the care plan.