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Congenital foot deformities and congenital disabilities of the feet are more common than you may think, which is why the team at Mesilla Valley Footcare in Las Cruces, New Mexico, provides pediatric foot care services. Rolando Cadena, DPM, and Clair Cadena Miranda offer pediatric foot care options for clubfoot, metatarsus adductus, and calcaneovalgus. Pediatric foot care may involve conservative therapies or surgical treatments to get your child’s foot in the proper position. Call the Mesilla Valley Footcare team today to schedule an appointment or request a consultation on the website.
What are common pediatric foot problems?
Newborns are squished in your uterus for nine months, so it’s no wonder their feet don’t always look right. Congenital foot issues in babies are actually common but can be scary for new parents.
There are different forms of congenital foot problems in newborns, all of which the practice treats to help your child walk correctly when the time comes. The most common pediatric foot problems include:
- Clubfoot
- Metatarsus adductus
- Calcaneovalgus
- Congenital vertical talus
- Metatarsus varus
The two most prevalent newborn foot deformities are calcaneovalgus and metatarsus adductus. They form within the womb, depending on your baby’s position. These conditions typically resolve themselves and rarely develop into a serious problem.
What are the signs of a pediatric foot problem?
It’s difficult to tell if your newborn or baby has a foot issue because they can’t tell you what’s bothering them. Right after the baby is born, the hospital team evaluates your child to determine if there are any foot issues.
Most common pediatric foot problems are evident at birth and obvious to the trained professional. In these cases, the baby’s feet are usually either deformed or pointing in a different direction than they should.
Conditions that develop as your child gets older are more challenging to spot unless you see changes in your child’s behavior. Complaining of foot pain, excessive tripping, and withdrawing from activities they enjoy could all be signs of a problem with their feet.
What is pediatric foot care?
If you suspect a problem with your child’s feet, Dr. Cadena and Dr. Miranda provide a quick evaluation and treatment for the problem. Pediatric foot care involves both conservative measures and invasive treatments when needed to allow your child to walk correctly when it’s time.
The treatments for most congenital foot problems in babies and children involve gentle stretching during feedings or diaper changes and casting the foot in stages to move it into the proper position.
The practice treats clubfoot using the Ponseti method, which involves weekly casting to move to reposition the foot, and an Achilles tenotomy, which the team performs in the office.
After the procedure, the child must wear a cast for another few weeks and then a brace for the first few years of life to keep the foot in the correct position.
For more information on pediatric foot care, call the Mesilla Valley Footcare team today or request a consultation on the website.