Children’s Feet

Children’s feet have 26 bones that share a small space with muscles, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels. In fact, it is such a complicated area of the human body that every foot that develops normally is cause for astonishment. It’s also the reason that if deformities are observed in the feet of babies or young children they be taken care of immediately—because while the feet are complicated they are also very malleable up to a certain age, after which most treatment options become much more difficult if not impossible.

Because children’s feet are so easily treated (and so crucial to later development) specialist’s consider the first year of a baby’s life to be the most important in terms of foot development. The flexibility and resilience of the tissue in children’s feet they may not always feel pain when issues occur, so it’s best to regularly examine their feet for signs of injury or abnormal development.

One type of foot pain that most children do experience in the foot and lower limb area however, is ‘growing pains’, which often presents as a deep, aching discomfort during the night. While this type of discomfort is normal excessive discomfort may be the result of Sever’s or Osgood-Schlatter’s disease, both of which will require professional care.

Certain developmental issues may be present in the feet at birth, such as clubfoot, metatarsas adductus (when the toes and forefoot point inward), and congenital vertical talus (‘rocker-bottom’ foot). Other issues at birth may include overlapping toes or even the presence of an extra toe.

Forcing children to ‘walk’ on under-developed feet is unwise; the tissues are overly soft and it doesn’t take much pressure to influence the formation of bones and ligaments. It’s also prudent to allow children to go barefoot or in light socks when they are young, providing there is no risk of injury to the foot, as this allows the feet to develop maximum musculature and strength. It also allows the toes to naturally develop a ‘grasping’ motion, which is crucial for the healthy development of the feet.

Because children’s feet are so easily affected by their environment proper footwear is absolutely essential in the early years, as many of the problems experienced by adults can be traced back to childhood care. Shoes should be well structured, supportive, and provide adequate room in the toe-box of the shoe so the toes and foot bones do not become deformed or overlapping. Footwear must also be frequently updated to allow for the sudden and frequent growth spurts that children experience; allowing kids to wear worn out shoes that lack for support is not recommended.

While the majority of children’s feet are issue free there are certain signs and symptoms that may indicate an underlying problem, such as visible bumps, lumps that can be felt even if they cannot be seen, excessive pain in the legs or feet, uneven shoe wear patterns, if an unusual degree of tripping and/or falling occurs, and chronic skin or nail problems. While none of these conditions are particularly alarming a podiatrist that specialized in children’s feet should be consulted as soon as possible to avoid further complications. 

Learn more about Bunion Treatment. Stop by Suzy Pickhall's site at Plantar Fasciitis Treatment and learn how they can help you.

Nail Conditions

Nail conditions include any development in the nail or nail bed that adversely affects the health of the toe. While there are a multitude of nail conditions that can be listed the most common afflictions will be listed in this article:

Ingrown Toenails

This is by far one of the most common conditions seen by doctors and podiatrists. It is most often causes by incorrect nail trimming techniques (nails being cut too short or in an unorthodox fashion), trauma to the toe, wearing tight shoes, and in some cases, nails that naturally curve sharply into the skin and can cause severe foot pain. The level of treatment depends on the level of injury and whether or not infection has developed. The ingrown nail is usually lifted out of the skin using various methods although nails are sometimes completely removed. This nail condition can be prevented by trimming toenails straight across and wearing comfortable shoes that fit well.

Fungal infections

Fungal infections are usually indicated by the presence of a discoloration or thickening of the nails that also causes them to separate from the nail bed. Nails may turn white, yellow, or green and a foul odour and/or discharge may be present as well. If nail fungus isn’t treated the nail bed itself may become infected, which tends to be more painful and more difficult to treat. Antifungal creams or pills are usually the first line of treatment and professional treatment of the nails is often recommended as well. Keeping feet and socks clean and dry is usually sufficient enough to reduce the risk of developing a fungal infection on the foot.

Deformed Nails

Deformed nails can occur for a variety of reasons but barring an underlying illness it is usually caused by a high-impact toe-stubbing or dropping a markedly heavy object onto the foot. Generally speaking, accidental trauma is one of the major causes of deformed nails, which may become thickened or develop ridges. There is little to be done in this instance except protect the injured toe/foot and try to be more careful in the future.

Black or Blue Nails

Unless the nails are a light blue color (which may indicate respiratory or circulatory issues) black or blue nails are usually the result of an acute or chronic injury to the toe and signal that blood vessels have broken. The biggest culprits are sports activities that involve sudden stops and a high volume of lateral motion, such as basketball and tennis. Black and blue nails are also often caused by a heavy objects being dropped on the foot. Regardless of the reason for the discoloration the toe often becomes quite sore due to the build up of blood, and a hole may be drilled in the nail to allow for drainage, which reduces pressure and pain. The nail will often fall off during healing and a new nail will grow to replace it.

Most conditions can be prevented by keeping the feet clean and dry, by wearing clean and dry socks, and by investing in shoes that provide proper cushioning and support. Orthotic devices may also help to keep the foot stable and well supported. Trimming the nails properly is absolutely essential, and diabetics should take extra steps, as nail conditions can become bigger health issues if not properly treated. 

Suzy Pickhall, who has been a foot care expert over the past thirty years has written a viable guide on how to combat Insoles for Plantar Fascitis, and a guide on Orthotics for Over Pronation.