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Foot problem in children are characterised usually by some combination of pain and deformity. Foot deformities commonly occur in children and can take on a variety of forms.
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While many children appear to have flat feet this is usually asymptomatic, self correcting and requires no treatment. When there is pain from a flat foot condition and also stiffness and hard thickening of the tissue on the sole of the foot then the services and advice of a healthcare professional should be sought.
Clubfoot deformities are less common and easily diagnosed at birth. The condition results in the foot turned down and inwards and treatment starts immediately after birth.
A combination of stretching the foot and applying casts is usually enough to correct the deformity although surgery is sometimes a necessary additional option.
Another foot problem common in children is toeing in or toeing out, where the foot points inwards or outwards rather than straight from the body.
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The causes of a pronounced inward or outward position of the feet are generally due to misalignment of the hip, leg and foot and in most cases resolve themselves as part of a child's natural growth and development.
Some foot conditions in children are as a result of their natural over-activity. A common result of this is heel pain which generally occurs in children between the ages of eight to fifteen years, when they are most active. Treatment of these overuse related conditions incorporates the use of heel cord stretching, physical therapy, and heel inserts.
Sometimes in rare occasions, foot pain in children can be as a result of infection, the most common infections being verrucas and athletes foot. Infection can also arise from cuts and puncture wounds.
Swelling, pain, and fever are symptoms of such an infection and any combination thereof requires the attentions of a doctor.
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