What Does a Paediatric Podiatrist Do?
A Paediatric Podiatrist is sometimes colloquially called a “children’s foot doctor” or “children’s Podiatrist”. They focus on the diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle issues in newborns, infants, adolescents, and teenagers. A Paediatric Podiatrist understands that your child’s bones, joints, muscles and ligaments are still developing. Not only do they know this, but they also understand how they’re developing, and what level of growth should ideally be attained within each age group.
Although many foot and ankle ailments are the same as what adults may experience, some conditions are exclusive to children which is why it’s important to specifically see a Paediatric Podiatrist.
When should I take my child to a Paediatric Podiatrist?
Of course, people of all ages should visit a Podiatrist. So, it’s not a matter of “if” you should take your child to a Paediatric Podiatrist, but “when”. Very young children may not be able to communicate their foot concerns at all, making a trip to the Podiatrist even more essential. As with all health concerns, early detection and treatment are likely to result in speedier healing and recovery. We suggest bringing your child in for a simple check-up from as young as one-year-old and certainly by the age of four years. Below are some signs you can watch for which may warrant an additional visit.
Eight signs your child may need to see a Podiatrist ASAP.
They regularly stumble or fall.
They struggle to physically keep up with other children their age.
They seem hesitant or embarrassed to show their feet (usually occurs in older children and teens).
They limp, walk on their toes, or have an unusual gait.
Unusual knee, leg or foot alignment, especially if there is a disparity between the two legs.
They complain about foot, ankle, or heel pain (verbally for older ages, by pointing or crying for younger ages).
There is persistent redness, swelling, tenderness, bruising, ulcers, warts, and so on.
Foot conditions run in the family, making them susceptible to inherited foot problems.
Common reasons to visit a Paediatric Podiatrist.
While our Podiatrists see patients for a variety of reasons, here are the most common reasons we see children in our practice:
Flat feet.
Aching legs.
Heel pain.
Hypermobility syndromes.
Gait issues such as limping, pigeon-toed walking, or toe walking.
Plantar warts.
Ingrown toenails.
Footwear advice and orthotics.
Sports-related injuries.
Balance issues or frequent tripping.
How can I choose a Paediatric Podiatrist?
Many adults find visiting health professionals daunting, so it’s only fair that your child may feel the same. As such, it’s important that you not only choose a Paediatric Podiatrist who is adept and professional, but has exceptional people skills and can make your child feel relaxed and comfortable.
You can ask your GP or a friend for a referral, read reviews, and verify the Podiatrists credentials as a part of your search (for example, you can see all of our Podiatrist’s bios here). Many parents who have attended The Perth Podiatrists and seen our facilities, equipment and atmosphere then seek our opinion regarding their loved ones.
Paediatric Podiatry at The Perth Podiatrists.
We know that parents want the best professional attention they can get for their child’s health and wellbeing. Whatever the reason for your visit, your child will always receive compassionate care from a friendly and warm Podiatrist at The Perth Podiatrists. Our policy at The Perth Podiatrists is to listen to the parents’ concerns, evaluate the child fully to establish if the child presents with a normal physiological variation or if an abnormality does exist, implement changes and treatment to appropriately manage and explain the treatment in detail to the parent.
To learn more, please check out our blog post Do Children Need Orthotics.
How we make your child comfortable during their podiatry visit.
We take extra time to ensure your child feels comfortable and relaxed at every part of their appointment. Our Podiatrists try to incorporate a child’s natural curiosities so they feel in control, included, and interested in what’s going on. For example, if specialist equipment is used, we’ll explain it in age-appropriate ways and show them how it works, even for toddlers and very young children! We might even use it on mum or dad (or ourselves) first so the child can see it’s safe and doesn’t hurt.
If we sense the child is feeling ill-at-ease, we’ll take a break with some much-needed chitchat and other distractions until they’re ready to restart. And of course, we work alongside parents throughout the wellness journey to ensure optimal outcomes through personalised treatment plans.
Book your Paediatric Podiatry appointment.
We’d love to see your family at our Woodlands or Duncraig practices. To get started, book an appointment online.