Pediatric podiatry

What foot problems can a child have

Unfortunately, most of the foot problems that affect adults can also affect children:

• nail fungus
• athlete's foot
• flat feet
• foot wart
• nail injury
• ingrown toenail
• onychodystrophy
• hyperhidrosis

A child of any age may need a medical pedicure, foot massage, and other podiatric services. Particular attention should be paid to children with chronic diseases that affect tissue nutrition. Professional foot care and regular consultations with a pediatric podiatrist are a prerequisite for the prevention of complications in diabetes mellitus.

If a child plays sports, attention to the condition of the feet should be constant. It is important to undergo periodic examinations by orthopedists and podiatrists to detect deformities due to stress, infections, ingrown toenails, injuries and their consequences.

How is the examination performed by a pediatric podiatrist at Dobrobut?

The Dobrobut podiatrist conducts the examination carefully and taking into account the peculiarities of children's perception. We try to create the most comfortable conditions for the child during the examination and procedures, as this can be crucial for developing a good habit of foot care throughout life. It is known that the main component of maintaining health is to follow good habits.

Consultation with a pediatric podiatrist is recommended from the age of 1. If a child has flat feet, it is advisable to visit a podiatrist several times a year, and each time after changing orthopedic insoles.

The process of examination by a doctor is a transparent procedure, we try to inform parents and the child as much as possible about the procedure and its purpose. This helps the little patient to stay calm, and the doctor to make a comprehensive diagnosis and perform all procedures efficiently.

Examination step by step

Before starting the examination, the doctor will apply a disinfectant to the child's feet that is approved for use in pediatrics. This is an important hygiene measure during the examination, skin and nail treatment, and hardware diagnostics.

The doctor conducts the examination in the presence of parents, but also talks to the child. This allows the doctor to establish contact and calm the child if necessary, monitor the patient's reactions to pressure and identify symptoms. The doctor cannot examine the child or perform any manipulations without the presence of parents or guardians.

The consultation lasts 30 minutes. If this is the first visit to a podiatrist, the doctor will pay special attention to the anamnesis. Most likely, after the first visit to the podiatrist, the child will be scheduled for an orthopedic consultation. 

After the examination, the doctor will prescribe treatment procedures, provide recommendations for footwear, etc. If parents have any questions afterwards, we will always be happy to answer them.

Treatment of feet and nails in children

The peculiarity of foot treatment in children is that the skin and nail plates are thinner, and the feet themselves are smaller. Therefore, the doctor has to work more carefully. In addition, a child is not always psychologically ready for a podiatrist's examination and treatment.

Children's feet are still growing and changing. Inflammatory processes develop faster and can be more widespread. The clinical picture may differ from similar pathology in adults. These factors often require a more thorough diagnosis and more careful work.

The doctor can perform hardware treatment methods, use surgical instruments, correction systems, pharmacological treatment, etc. In principle, the work of a podiatrist with children remains the same as with adults.

In Dobrobut, you can get all the services of a pediatric podiatrist according to the highest modern standards.