{"id":818,"date":"2016-04-14T14:39:24","date_gmt":"2016-04-14T14:39:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/drgaryevans.com\/?p=818"},"modified":"2016-04-14T14:39:24","modified_gmt":"2016-04-14T14:39:24","slug":"take-extra-care-of-your-childrens-feet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drgaryevans.com\/take-extra-care-of-your-childrens-feet\/","title":{"rendered":"Take Extra Care of Your Children\u2019s Feet"},"content":{"rendered":"
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During the school year, your children maintain their normal school routine with frequent activities and are constantly on the go. In order to maintain their busy schedules it is vital that their feet are protected against the aches and pains of non-stop daily activities. From infants and toddlers to high school kids, the need for continual foot relief is constant. Pain in your child\u2019s foot or ankle is never normal, as there is no such thing as \u201cgrowing pains.\u201d Your podiatrist in New York should evaluate any pain that lasts more than a few days, or that is severe enough to limit the child\u2019s walking, as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

Infants and Toddlers<\/h4>\n

Whether your infant or toddler is in school or daycare, their feet need extra protection early on to promote healthy feet later on in their lives. The size and shape of your baby\u2019s feet change dramatically during their first year. Too much pressure or strain can affect the shape of their feet as a baby\u2019s feet are flexible. When choosing shoes for your baby make sure their shoes and socks do not squeeze the toes as this can cause damage to their precious toes.<\/p>\n

As your infant continues to grow, it is important not to force your toddler to walk before he or she is ready to. Once your toddler does begin to walk, watch your toddler\u2019s gait \u2013 the way in which they walk. Many toddlers may have a pigeon-toe gait, which is normal, while some initially learn to walk landing on their toes instead of their heels. Most children will outgrow both of these problems, but other conditions detected early can be treated more easily.<\/p>\n

Proper Shoes for Your Children<\/h4>\n

Before you head to the store to buy your kids shoes, follow some simple guidelines provided by your New York podiatrist to prevent or minimize foot problems from poorly fitting or worn out shoes. Your child\u2019s feet can grow up to two sizes in six months, so you need to account for growth when purchasing new shoes. This doesn\u2019t mean that you need to buy shoes that are too big as oversized shoes cause the foot to slide forward, putting excessive pressure on the toes. A good fitting shoe is about a finger\u2019s width from the end of the shoe to the tip of the big toe. If your child\u2019s shoes are too tight, it can cause blisters, corns and calluses, or worse, ingrown nails that become can become infected.<\/p>\n

Shoes will lose their shock absorption over time, so it is important to inspect new and old shoes for proper cushioning and arch support. If your child\u2019s shoes exhibit wear and tear around the edges of the sole, replace them with new shoes that have adequate support. When buying new shoes, check to see that the toe box flexes easily and the shoe does not bend in the middle of the sole. Worn-out shoes elevate the risk for heel pain, Achilles tendonitis and even ankle sprains and stress factors \u2013 be sure to replace then as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

Remember to check your child\u2019s shoe size often, as they will continually change shoe sizes as they grow. With your podiatrist\u2019s care, the risk of bone problems can be reduced. Contact your New York podiatrist today if your child is experiencing any pain in their feet due to injury or abnormal growth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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