Foot deformities, whether present at birth or developing over time, can follow children into adulthood. These issues are ignored or neglected far too often, but early detection and intervention by a podiatrist is the single best way to ensure that they don’t develop into something worse.
Below, Wayne Foot & Ankle Center explores two common foot deformities that parents should know about, covering long-term effects, treatment options, and more.
The Lingering Impact of Childhood Foot Problems
Toe walking might be the most deforming force of the foot and ankle. While some mild cases resolve on their own, persistent toe walking can lead to long-term residual problems.
- With persistent toe walking, the Achilles tendon and calf muscles can tighten (equinus), altering foot mechanics. The body compensates to get your foot to the ground, often leading to a collapsed arch and flatfoot deformity.
- Ignoring flat feet in kids can lead to chronic pain later in life. While there is a “normal” range to consider, cases falling outside of typical values don’t just vanish on their own.
“They’ll Grow Out of It”
Unfortunately, many misconceptions about deformities of the foot and ankle exist. For example, it’s not uncommon to hear thattoe walking and flat feet in children are always “normal” and self-correcting.
In reality, severe flat feet or persistent toe walking often require intervention.
- Early treatment with orthotics can prevent pain and long-term complications, and we often recommend it for that reason.
Success Stories: The Power of Early Intervention
The good news about these deformities is that solid treatment options exist. In fact, even the most potentially damaging cases can be effectively resolved with the right approach.
- Toe Walking: In one recent example, our patient was a younger child with idiopathic toe walking (meaning the root cause was unknown. She was successfully treated with Botox and serial casting.
- Flatfoot Reconstruction: In another successful case, a young athlete we saw had been from doctor to doctor since she was quite young. Time after time, her issues were ignored, but in her Junior year of high school, she came to Wayne Foot & Ankle Center. We performed flatfoot reconstructions bilaterally, and with this correction, she was able to keep her Division 1 athletic scholarship!
The Bottom Line
Foot deformities, in children or adults, shouldn’t be ignored. Early diagnosis and treatment by a podiatrist can prevent long-term complications, improve function, and enhance quality of life. Don’t let misconceptions or a “wait-and-see” approach compromise foot health.
Questions? Concerns? Dr. Lindsey Calligaro at Wayne Foot & Ankle Center is happy to help. Our team has the tools, techniques, and proven expertise to treat your feet. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
