Make an appointment with your podiatrist if your child: :
- Complains about recurring pain when walking or at the end of the day
- Is not able to follow his classmates
- Is clumsy and regularly falls
- Shows signs of abnormal flat foot
- Shows signs of abnormal gait: :
- -> In-toeing/out-toeing
- -> Knee inward
- -> Tip toe walking
Your child may have a foot problem that can influence the rest of his posture and body. Collapse foot’s arch can change the position of the knee and can cause articular or muscular pain.
The podiatrist can perform a full biomechanical exam and determine what kind of pediatric treatment best suits your child. Following the biomechanical exam and depending on the type of problem, the treatments will change from orthotics, night/day splint, stretching exercises and posture recommendations. It is important to note that it is not every child with flatfoot that will require an orthotic.
At what age is it possible to start consulting a podiatrist?
The podiatrist can treat a newborn starting at one (1) month of age. The earlier a problem is detected, the easier it will be to correct it. It will also help to prevent future gait problem, foot or knee pain in adulthood. In the case of in-toeing (metatarsus adductus or internal tibial torsion), this problem can be corrected much more easily before the age of two (2).
