3 Common Pediatric Foot Conditions

Children’s foot and ankle conditions can be minor issues that resolve by themselves, or serious issues that may require surgical treatment. The good news is that many ankle and foot conditions in children are easy to spot – but only if you know what to look for. Keep on reading and learn how to identify these 3 common kids’ foot and ankle conditions.

Juvenile Bunions (Hallux Valgus)

In 70% of cases, children inherit bunions from the mothers. Most people just learn to wear wider shoes to deal with the condition, but this method does not alleviate pain beneath the big toe. When shoe modifications fail to placate the condition and activity is restricted because of the resulting pain, surgery is the best course of action.

Flatfoot

Flat feet in children fall under two categories:

Flexible

• Flexible flat feet have a mobile subtalar joint (when the child goes up on tip toes, the heel will turn inward)
• This type of flatfoot is generally not serious and usually doesn’t require medical attention. If the condition becomes painful however, see a doctor

Rigid

• Rigid flat feet have fixed subtalar motion (when the child goes up on tip toes, the heel stays out)
• The number one cause of this is tarsal coalition (the failure of the hindfoot to differentiate or segment)
• Rigid flat feet can be treated both surgically and non-surgically

Metatarsus Adductus

This condition (best described as a toddler with intoeing) is marked by a medial deviation of the forefoot on the midfoot. In 95% of people, this condition resolves on its own See a doctor if it does not resolve itself in 3 months.

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