Does My Child Need Orthotics?

Children’s foot health often goes unnoticed, which can result in significant issues in the long run. It’s critical to pay attention to how your child’s foot is growing and changing as they become older. Foot orthotics can assist in treating many problems your child may be experiencing.

In order to address poor foot mechanics, orthotics are usually recommended by podiatrists, depending on what the issue is and how it can be best addressed.

Symptoms in Children to look out for:

• When your child walks, pay attention to how the foot and lower leg are aligned.
• Aligning the knee and foot. From the front, take a look at the child’s lower legs. A warning sign is raised if the knees point outward or inward while the feet are facing forward or if there is knee knocking.
• When a child’s heel bone bends inwards, it is a sign that the shape of the bone may require additional support to be correctly aligned. If the heel does not line up properly, this issue will eventually affect the knee, hip, and spine functions.
• Examine the foot arch. While flat feet may disappear with time, it is important to keep observing the growth trend.
• The child probably has an inflexible flat foot if the foot stays flat when standing in a toe-raised position. Customized orthotics can help rectify this condition.
• Recurring dislocation patterns in older kids may indicate instability and weak bones that affect the feet and can impact the child’s long-term health.
• Observe when and how your kids are taking off or putting on their shoes. Sometimes shoes could change how your kid walks or moves around and only by changing their shoes could you address the gait issue.
• You can always consult your podiatrist to look and examine their feet for an appropriate shoe recommendation.

Many individuals opt to buy OTC orthotics from their neighborhood drugstore without realizing that doing so could unintentionally hurt their feet and other parts of the body like the lower back, hips and knees. These insoles can be more harmful than helpful.

Although you can buy your kid orthotics at the neighborhood pharmacist, these inserts weren’t designed for their feet. You can make an educated guess as to what is causing their foot discomfort. However, a trip to a podiatrist can allow you to be certain that your child is receiving the assistance their feet require.

Podiatrists carry out a thorough evaluation of your child’s feet and provide best solutions to support your child’s comfort, development, and growth. As your child grows, podiatrists periodically reassess the orthotics and may recommend adjustments if required.

At the New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group, there are almost 30 foot and ankle surgeons, podiatrists, and doctors. With more than 30 locations, from Newark, NJ, to Cape May, NJ, we value convenience and excellent service for our patients. We offer compassionate, cutting-edge care across our network, and we are here to address all your foot concerns. Our group is among the best foot and ankle providers in the country. To schedule an appointment, first find a podiatrist in your area.