Flat Feet

Definition: Many babies naturally appear flat-footed. Usually, this will disappear as the baby begins to stand and walk.

Children with flat feet, or low arches may not be able to keep up with other children because of the added strain on feet and legs.

Casts

Definition: If your podiatrist recommends orthoses for your child he/she will often need to take a plaster cast first. This will be taken with the childs foot held in a corrected position and will be used to make the appropriate appliance. This procedure is not painful and only takes about 15 minutes.

Progressive casting can be used, to coax a baby’s feet back into a more normal position. Just as braces gradually reposition teeth, casts gradually reposition feet. The casts are changed periodically until the Podiatrist determines that the feet are properly aligned.

Orthoses (Orthotic devices)

Definition: Orthotic devices can be used to maintain proper foot support. They are made of plastic and must be remade as the child grows older. Orthoses help to realign the foot and distribute body weight evenly. They can be used for all for a variety of problems including pain, poor stability and gross motor problems. These devices are not simple arch supports and need to be custom-made for each individual.

Warts

Definition: Warts or verrucae are lesions caused by a virus that grows within the skin (the epidermis). This virus, the human papillomavirus, can exist in a dormant yet infectious state outside the body. So it doesn’t require skin to skin contact to be spread. For the infection to occur and for the wart to grow there must be a break in the skin.

Warts appear as a small lump of hard skin with black dots. It is mostly occurs on the bottom of the foot. It is easily confused with a corn, but there are some simple differences:

- A wart is painful when squeezed
- A corn is painful when pushed
- A wart can occur anywhere on the foot
- A corn occurs over areas of pressure

Arthritis in the Foot

Definition: Arthritis can affect any of the movable joints in the feet. This can result in foot deformities such as enlarged swollen joints or toes becoming crooked and causing problems when walking in shoes.