| Children and early
years: Indeed, the human
foot is one of the most complicated parts of the body with
twenty-eight bones, thirty-three joints, 107 ligaments and nineteen
muscles. Combined, the fifty-six bones in the feet make up about one
quarter of all the bones in a baby’s precious body. According to the
American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA),
it is important for parents to pay close attention to their
children’s feet from the beginning.
THE EARLY YEARS
Children’s feet grow rapidly during the first year, reaching almost
half their adult foot size. The first year is the most important in
the development of a child’s feet.
- Look carefully at your baby's
feet. If you notice something that does not look normal, seek
professional care immediately. Problems noticed at birth will
not disappear by themselves. Don’t wait until the child begins
to walk to take care of a problem you noticed earlier.
- Cover your baby's feet loosely.
Tight covers restrict movement and can retard normal
development.
- Be careful about applying home
remedies to children's feet, as preparations strong enough to
kill certain types of fungus can also harm a child’s skin.
- To prevent your baby from
getting a painful ingrown toenail, trim toenails straight
across. If the toenail becomes infected (red or swollen) see a
podiatrist right away.
- When the child first begins to
walk, shoes are not necessary for walking indoors. Allowing the
youngster to walk barefoot or to wear just socks helps the foot
to grow normally and to develop its musculature and strength, as
well as the grasping action of toes. Of course, when walking
outside or on rough surfaces, babies' feet should be protected
in lightweight, flexible footwear made of natural materials.
SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN
- After a child has been walking
for a few years, his/her feet continue to grow and become
stronger. At this stage, parents should continue to watch the
development of their child’s feet and help them learn the
importance of taking care of his/her own feet for premium
performance and health.
- Remember that your child’s lack
of complaining does not necessarily mean that all is well. The
bones of growing feet are so flexible that they can be twisted
and distorted without the child being aware of it. Start the
school year off by visiting the podiatrist for a foot check-up.
- Have your child's feet measured
every time you purchase new shoes, as children's feet change
size rapidly. Look at the shoe to be sure it has a firm heel
counter (stiff material on either side of the heel), adequate
cushioning of the insole, and a built-in arch. It should be
flexible enough to bend where the foot bends—at the ball of the
foot, not in the middle of the shoe. New shoes should be
comfortable from the beginning and should not have to broken in.
- According to the podiatrists at
the APMA, walking is the best form of exercise. They recommend
that children’s walking patterns be carefully observed. For
example, does the child have knock knees? Do his/her toes point
in or out? Or, are there other gait abnormalities? These
problems can be corrected if they are detected early.
- Walking barefoot is a healthy
activity for children under the right conditions. However,
walking barefoot on dirty pavements exposes children's feet to
infection through accidental cuts and to severe contusions,
sprains or fractures. Another potential problem is plantar
warts, a condition caused by a virus which invades the sole of
the foot through cuts and breaks in the skin. They require
protracted treatment and can keep children from school and other
activities.
- As a child's feet continue to
develop, it may be necessary to change shoe and sock sizes every
few months to allow room for the feet to grow. Although foot
problems result mainly from injury, deformity, illness, or
hereditary factors, improper footwear can aggravate preexisting
conditions. Shoes or other footwear should never be handed down
from one child to another.
All-in-One Foot Care
Center, serving Laguna Hills, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo,
Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, and Costa Mesa offers expert and
professional podiatric services. Services include complete diabetic
foot care, foot surgery, arthritic foot care, sports medicine, and a
wide range of foot care products . We have made a commitment to
provide advanced foot care to our patients. Please use our
online appointment form to book your
next appointment from the comfort of your home or your office. |
