Pediatric Foot and Ankle Podiatry

What You Need To Know

Understanding your child’s foot health and when to see a podiatrist.

Pediatric Podiatry for Growing Feet

At Weil Foot and Ankle Institute, we treat patients of all ages, including children. Whether your child has an ingrown toenail or any other condition, you can rest assured that their feet are in the hands of an expert foot doctor. Your child’s feet are unique because they’re still growing, so any issues that arise with them should be addressed as soon as possible.

Our pediatric podiatrists have significant experience treating a variety of foot and ankle conditions that arise while children and teenagers are still growing and physically developing. Whether your child needs help with a one-time injury or has an ongoing issue, we can provide expert care while ensuring that your child feels comfortable and relaxed throughout the treatment process.

Children commonly experience foot problems like heel pain, flat feet, ingrown toenails, and warts. Another common issue is Sever’s disease, growth plate inflammation in the heel, which is the most common pediatric foot condition, especially if your child is active in sports. Your child may complain about heel pain during and after a game or practice.

Active children are also more prone to flat feet, which can cause pain in the feet and lower legs. Many general practitioners misdiagnose this as “growing pains,” so we recommend seeing a foot doctor if your child experiences any foot or ankle pain. Schedule a visit with our team so your child can be properly evaluated.

Treatment Options for Children

Orthotics are custom-made shoe inserts prescribed by your podiatrist at Weil Foot and Ankle Institute. For children and teenagers, custom orthotics can help restore correct foot and ankle posture during the critical years of physical development. They are often needed early to correct abnormal flat feet and intoeing problems, and their use can help prevent complications in the future.

When a toenail cuts into the surrounding skin, your child may experience mild discomfort or pain depending on severity. If an ingrown toenail is not treated properly, it can lead to infection with symptoms such as redness, swelling, and possible pus or drainage. We can trim and clean your child’s ingrown toenail, help you identify possible causes, and get their foot health back on track.

Pain in the feet or ankles can stem from causes ranging from genetics to injuries. When you bring your child to us for foot pain, ankle pain, or leg pain, we won’t just treat the symptoms; we will seek the underlying cause and work toward a permanent solution whenever possible. Common types of pain we treat include heel pain, shin splints, sports injuries, and pain caused by an abnormal gait.

If you have concerns about your child’s gait, a consultation may be in order. We have helped patients with toe walking, in-toeing, out-toeing, uneven weight bearing, limping, frequent trips or falls, and pain while walking. Early evaluation gives your child the best chance at healthy development and lasting comfort.