What’s normal what’s not for kids

What’s normal what’s not for kids

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Flat Feet

 Children with flat feet do not have an arch while standing. This is normal in nearly all infants and many young children.

For the first two years, your child’s feet will seem to have fallen arches.

Flat feet are normal in a young child due to weak muscle tone in the foot, a generous padding of fat, and loose ankle ligaments that permit the foot to lean inwards.

As your child masters walking, the ligaments and muscles will strengthen and the fat pads in the arch area won’t be so noticeable.

A functional flat foot is quite common and can result in symptoms ranging from sore or tired feet to general leg fatigue and body aches and pain. There is a positive correlation between flat feet and symptoms involving foot pain, leg pain, knee pain, hip pain and lower back pain.

Excessive pronation (feet ‘ rolling’ inwards) causes the arch to collapse and elongate, giving the foot an appearance of being ‘flat’.

By 5-7 years of age, your child should have normal arches in both feet.

Controlling excessive pronation, with orthotics (custom-made shoe inserts) prevents the feet ‘rolling’ inwards during walking. This prevents ‘unlocking’ of the 33 joints in the feet, which is often the cause of painful symptoms in the pes planus (flat) foot type.

 

In-Toeing

In-toeing is a common lower limb problem in which the feet point inwards, towards the midline of the body.

It does not become apparent until the child begins to walk at about 12 – 18 months of age. Many toddlers walk ‘pigeon-toed’, with either one or both feet turned inwards. In most cases, this is simply a sign of developing posture and balance, and should resolve by itself (without the need for medical intervention) somewhere between the ages of three and five years.

However, if the in-toeing is severe, seems to involve the leg and hip as well as the foot, or isn’t improving by the time your child is around one and a half to two years of age, see your podiatrist for assessment. Excessive in-toeing may be caused by a variety of underlying difficulties, such as hip joint problems.

 

Out-Toeing 

Out-Toeing means that the feet curve outwards instead of pointing straight. The problem is often caused by an over-rotation in the hip or leg.

 

Out-Toeing is more likely to be inherited than from an abnormal position in the womb. This is also unlikely to be the result of abnormal sitting positions but some children may twist their leg bone (tibia) out too far by ‘w’ sitting.

 

Exercises sometimes help with the problem if treatment begins at an early age but as always with this problem see your podiatrist for assessment.

 

Knock-Knees

Knock-knees are normal in children aged from two to seven years. Some children may become knock kneed again around puberty. If the problem has persisted from the age of seven, it may be permanent. Like bow legs this leg position may cause the foot to roll or may place strain on the knee joint. Using orthoses to straighten the foot can help straighten the leg but this may be a long-term treatment. If pain in the feet or knees occurs orthoses can be useful to relieve symptoms.

 

 

Bow Legs

Bow legs are normal at birth but should disappear by the time the child reaches two. If it does not disappear by the age of two then it may be permanent.

The bowed appearance may be caused by a curve in the leg bone ‘tibia’ or may involve the entire limb. This curve may cause the foot to roll or may place extra strain on the knee joint.

The bow itself is not correctable but if pain occurs in the knees or feet orthoses may be useful to relieve any symptoms.

 

Simple Guidelines To Avoid Children’s Foot Disorders

 

  • Don’t restrict a baby’s development with tight bedclothes, booties, socks or blankets. This allows them to kick and exercise their feet and legs.
  • Discourage poor sleeping and sitting positions (ie. sleeping on stomach, sitting on the knees with feet pointing back & turned out – the “W” position). Sitting with legs crossed is preferred.
  • Baby & toddler walking frames place stress on bones and muscles prematurely. Babies will begin to walk through natural development, usually between 9 – 18 months.
  • Babies are bow legged up to 2 years old, then go through a knock kneed stage which can last up to 7 years of age.
  • When you child begins to walk, look for signs of abnormalities in structure

 

Always see our podiatrists if you are concerned about your child’s feet or gait.

We are trained in the management and prevention of foot problems and can identify the factors, both intrinsic & extrinsic to the feet, which might be the cause of pain.  

Give our friendly team a call on (02) 96732987,

call in to our clinics at St Marys or Penrith or find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/podiatristsydney

 

Fungal toenails GONE FAST!

Fungal toenails GONE FAST!

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Fungal nails will soon become a thing of the past

Fungal toenails GONE FAST! - 1

Fungal or ugly looking nails

It is estimated that over 2 Million people in Australia suffer from Fungal toenails !  (that’s 10% of the Population).  So if you think your nails have a fungus you may well be right!

Fungal nails can be unsightly and embarrassing. Often described as “rotten nails”, patients may describe their nails as varying in colour, from a yellow through to a brown discolouration. The nail may also look like it is thickened or even eaten away.

Sadly treatment to date has been limited with only expensive but often ineffective nail paints or prescription only heavy duty oral medication which while effective taken a long time to work and can have significant side effect for many people. There are a multitude of “home” remedies that are reported to work but most often lead to no success! If Vicks worked on toenails don’t you think the company behind Vicks would have cottoned onto this by now?????

Laser therapy is a new and highly effective treatment for this embarrassing and health effecting problem.

Why choose Laser

  • Highly effective – Fast result
  • Safe – No side effects!
  • No Aesthetic required
  • Comfortable with minimal discomfort
  • Nail Polish can be applied immediately after you leave
  • No need to take medication

Brenden after many years in Podiatry and feeling the frustration of literally tens of thousands of patients took the decision to look for a solution to chronic fungal toenails.  “Each year I see literally hundreds of patients who have struggled with this horrible condition” Says Brenden. “Many of these patients have tried multiple creams lotions and medicament with no relief”. Frustrated by this, Brenden along with some Podiatry friends decided to look worldwide for a solution that would be safe simple and pain free for patients.

In search of an answer Brenden attend a conference in America and after some research found the Class 4 Diode laser now being introduced to A Step ahead foot and Ankle care. Finally he had found an answer which provided patients with simple and safe solution to a complicated problem.

We are now very pleased to be taking bookings for this treatment to fight nasty nail infections!

Call us at Penrith on 47322007 or St Marys on 96732987 if you too would like to the fungal toe nails gone!

Brenden our Podiatrist “back” in the media

Brenden our Podiatrist “back” in the media

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If you havent come across us before you may not realise that Brenden our principal Podiatrist has for many years been considered one of the foremost experts on feet  and Podiatry in Australia. He has for years been called upon to make comment as an expert. From the today show to the Brenden our Podiatrist "back" in the media - 1Sydney morning herald to Dolly magazine!
This month BB is in HCF’s Fit &well magazine, just in case you don’t get a copy or cant see and read the text here it is below.

“Best foot forward

“High heels tilt your pelvis forward, throw your centre of gravity out of alignment and force your back muscles to work harder to maintain stability,” says Brenden Brown, spokesperson for the Australian Podiatry Council.

If you have lower back pain women should choose a shoe with a wide, flat heel of no higher than 2.5 centimetres and men should avoid wearing loafers and things.  “Lower back pain can also be treated in some people by addressing poor foot posture with orthotic supports in shoes,” Brown says.”