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WHEN TO FIX KIDS FEET?

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When to fix kids’ feet?

 

Worried about your child’s feet? It is important to know what is a normal presentation for a child in their age group, as opposed to what actually may be considered a “red flag” in their development. When asking the question of whether to “fix my child’s feet” it is crucially important to make an informed decision with the professional advice and assessment of health professionals. Our Podiatrists will thoroughly assess your child and determine what treatment, if any, is suitable at that time of the child’s development and will reassure you what is normal! Depending on your child’s age and the presenting condition, there are treatment windows within a child’s normal physical development within which to correct any structural abnormalities.

Did you know? Recent evidence based research on thousands of children aged 3-15 years shows the most common foot posture or foot type is a ‘flat’ or pronated foot.* From this it can be concluded that a flat foot without any other abnormal characteristics is not abnormal. So, not all “flat feet” need to be fixed as such. Foot pronation in itself is often a compensatory response to other biomechanical and structural adaptations or elements of the lower limb and rest of the body. Hence overpronation of the foot may not be a causative element but an end result, and there may be other elements of the lower limb that are better addressed first before treatment of the flatfoot is considered. 

Did you know? At birth, only some bones of the foot are formed. By only age 5, the last major bone of the foot is formed, the Navicular, which structurally forms the “arch” of the foot. 

Total Care Podiatry believes in the value of assessing children at an early age or at any age in their development to rule out any abnormalities or red flags in musculoskeletal development in particular and to reassure parents what is normal. Total Care runs a Paediatric screening clinic once monthly to offer a free assessment. We ask that to book into this clinic, a small donation be made to Kids Plus foundation. Kids Plus “offers programs that include early treatment and specific intervention strategies to improve children’s abilities across a range of developmental areas.” 

On Friday July 9th 2021, we have a Complimentary Family Foot Check clinic scheduled. If you have any concerns about a family member’s foot health, especially your child of any age; please book in for your free assessment! PH: 5223 1531

THIS INFORMATION IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE PROFESSIONAL PODIATRIC ADVICE. TREATMENT WILL VARY BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS DEPENDING UPON YOUR DIAGNOSIS AND PRESENTING COMPLAINT. AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS CAN ONLY BE MADE FOLLOWING PERSONAL CONSULTATION WITH A PODIATRIST.

 

NAILS AND SKIN CARE AT TOTAL CARE PODIATRY

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At Total Care Podiatry your podiatrist will begin by assessing and treating the area of most concern to you and will cut your nails and painlessly remove any callus or corns. The circulation and sensation in your feet will be assessed, as will any lumps and bumps and/or foot dysfunction that may cause pressure points. Excessive pressure areas under your feet and on your toes can lead to corns and calluses or pressure ulcers.

Conditions this service treats & how does it work

Treatments for nail and skin conditions may include:

  • Painless removal of corns and callus and thickened skin
  • Treatment and ongoing advice on preventing cracked heels
  • Ingrown Toenail surgery to remove nail spike or complete removal of nail if clinically indicated.
  • Fungal nail treatments
  • Removal and treatment of plantar warts
  • Custom made silicon toe wedges or splinting to straighten overlapped toes or protect and prevent rubbing of toes.

What are the benefits of this treatment

Corns, calluses and thickened skin are generally symptoms of other problems, so it is important for your podiatrist to examine your feet to work out what could be causing the pressure so they can provide a treatment plan which includes offloading these areas.

Your podiatrist will also provide you with advice on how you can care for your feet to prevent ongoing problems and on whether further treatment is recommended.

THIS INFORMATION IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE PROFESSIONAL PODIATRIC ADVICE. TREATMENT WILL VARY BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS DEPENDING UPON YOUR DIAGNOSIS AND PRESENTING COMPLAINT. AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS CAN ONLY BE MADE FOLLOWING PERSONAL CONSULTATION WITH A PODIATRIST.

FREE PRE POINTE ASSESSMENTS NOW AVAILABLE FOR DANCE STUDIOS

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Total Care Podiatry podiatrists Rachel Vale and Paul Graham assisting dancers from @bellarinedance preparing to progress to pointe with one of our free pre pointe assessment nights.
We offer a pre pointe assessment free to all dance studios in the Geelong, Bellarine and Surfcoast shires.
For more information please contact our clinic on ☎️ 5223 1531 or email frontdesk@totalcarepodiatry.com.au
So excited for these tiny dancers progressing to pointe!

IS YOUR TINY DANCER GOING EN POINTE?

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Pre-Pointe Assessment

A specific pre-pointe assessment is recommended before a dancer progresses to pointe work.

The screening will help develop an awareness about correct and incorrect positions which will help the dancer on her/his pathway to going en pointe.

During a pre-pointe assessment, the following is taken into consideration:

  • Foot, ankle and leg strength
  • Joint range
  • Posture and core control
  • Anatomical structure of the foot and compensations
  • Growth and maturity

Once a pre-pointe dancer can correctly perform the assessments, she or he is strong enough to commence pointe work with the guidance from the ballet teacher.
The follow up review helps the dancer improve their strength and mobility for pointe work.

A review every six months is recommended if there are no concerns along the way.

Call our friendly reception team to book your tiny dancer in for a pre-pointe assessment today 5223 1531