Pediatric Foot Care in Southern Pines, NC
Does your child limp or complain of aching feet? They likely need expert and compassionate pediatric foot care from Dr. Jeremy Thomas at Triangle Foot and Ankle Specialist in Southern Pines, NC. Many podiatric problems resolve as a child grows. However, others require immediate or even long-term treatment so a child develops and functions properly.
Why should a child see a podiatrist?
The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) says that pediatric foot and ankle care often is neglected. This isn't because parents aren't attentive, but frankly, many health care providers just don't emphasize its importance.
But, important it is because of the many stresses placed on young feet and ankles, the infectious agents they are exposed to at school, home and daycare and also the rapid growth feet and ankles experience. As such, podiatric care should start before a child walks and continue on through childhood and adolescence. Catching problems early before they become serious encourages good podiatric health and function for the entire family.
Problems children experience
If your child seems to limp, complains of consistent foot and ankle pain or appears unable to keep up with other youngsters his age, call Triangle Foot and Ankle Specialist. Dr. Thomas will do a complete podiatric examination, including a gait analysis (how your child walks). From there, he'll offer a treatment plan based on his findings.
Commonly, children experience skin and nail infections, deformities, injuries such as sprains and balance and gait issues. Dr. Thomas offers many sensible strategies to help your child's lower extremities function well, feel better and develop properly.
Issues seen at Triangle Foot and Ankle Specialists include:
- Toeing in and out
- Flat feet
- Ankle sprains and instability
- Stress fractures
- Tripping
- Plantar warts
- Athlete's foot
- Ingrown toenails
Preventing foot problems
Just as with adults, some foot problems may be controlled or even prevented with prudent, daily habits such as:
- Trimming toenails straight across, and never rounding the corners
- Washing feet every day with soap and water and drying them completely
- Wearing well-fitting, clean socks
- Wearing well-fitting shoes (not too short or too long)
- Wearing shoes outdoors and shower sandals in pool and locker room areas
- Watching for gait irregularities such as toe-walking (past the age of two years), toeing-in or -out or anything which just doesn't seem right
- Covering or bandaging cuts and scrapes
Happy feet are healthy feet
So, to keep your child's feet and ankles well-functioning and growing properly, see Dr. Jeremy Thomas at Triangle Foot and Ankle Specialist in
Southern Pines, NC, for a pediatric check-up. We have same-day appointments as needed. Please call (910) 757-0058.
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