November 2023

Most children take their first steps between eight and 18 months of age. Initially, toddlers often exhibit flat feet or a tendency to turn their feet inwards due to muscle strength and ligament stiffness catching up with their overall development. This flat-footedness typically improves as the bones strengthen and the feet gain more muscle support. Additionally, some toddlers may walk with one or both feet turned inwards, known as in-toeing, which can originate from the foot, lower leg, or upper leg. In rare cases, toddlers may walk with their feet turned outwards, or out-toeing. Parents should also look for signs such as abnormally shaped toes, persistent or painful ingrown toenails, bunions, foot stiffness, limping, or a sudden change in the child's walking pattern. Other common causes of foot pain include ingrown toenails that persist, and deformities or lumps in the foot. If your child complains of pain while walking, limps, or demonstrates a significant change in their walking pattern, or if your child hasn't started walking by the age of two, a consultation with a podiatrist can help rule out potential developmental concerns. In cases of pain, limited function, or a sudden change in your child's walking pattern, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a thorough exam and diagnosis.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Pete O’Donald, DPM of Texas. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Nederland, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Ankle sprains occur when the ankle twists or turns, particularly in an inverted position, affecting the lateral ligaments. This strain forces body weight onto the outer edge of the ankle, resulting in stretching and potential tearing of ligaments that help to hold the ankle joint together. Repeated ankle sprains can lead to ankle instability, where the ankle turns inward during physical activity. Individuals who experience chronic ankle sprains may face thickening and irritation of previously sprained ligaments, causing impingement problems and discomfort near the ankle joint's edge. A severe variant, known as a high ankle sprain, damages supportive ligaments above the ankle joint. Recovery from a recurring sprain takes at least twice as long compared to more common sprains. For that reason, prevention is key. This involves performing exercises to strengthen ankle supporting muscles, wearing appropriate footwear for specific activities, and staying mindful of uneven surfaces. Prioritizing ankle health through preventive measures, seeking prompt medical attention, and following a comprehensive rehabilitation plan, can minimize the long-term effects of ankle sprains. Strengthening exercises, wearing proper footwear, and certain ankle braces can help to reduce the risk of ankle sprains. If you have sprained an ankle, it is suggested that you make an immediate appointment with a podiatrist for treatment. 

Although ankle sprains are common, they aren’t always minor injuries. If you need your ankle injury looked at, contact Pete O’Donald, DPM from Texas. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains are the result of a tear in the ligaments within the ankle. These injuries may happen when you make a rapid shifting movement while your foot is planted. A less common way to sprain your ankle is when your ankle rolls inward while your foot turns outward.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Pain at the sight of the tear
• Bruising/Swelling
• Ankle area is tender to touch
• In severe cases, may hear/feel something tear
• Skin discoloration

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

In many cases, the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate) is used to treat ankle sprains. However, you should see a podiatrist to see which treatment option would work best with your injury. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

It is important to ask your doctor about rehab options after you receive treatment for your injury. Stretching, strength training, and balance exercises may help the ankle heal while also preventing further injury.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Nederland, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Ollier’s disease is a condition where a person develops non-cancerous cartilage growths, called enchondromas, inside their bones. It often affects the bones in the hands and feet, which can cause the bones to become deformed. This can make the hands and feet look abnormal and may lead to problems like shorter limbs, fingers, or toes. Even though these growths start as non-cancerous, there is a small risk they can become cancerous later. People with Ollier’s disease usually have a normal life span, and it does not affect their intelligence. The disease is often noticed in children around the age of 5 and the growths typically stop once they reach early adulthood. If you notice something amiss with your child’s feet, it is strongly suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Some foot conditions may require additional professional care. If you have any concerns, contact Pete O’Donald, DPM of Texas. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Rare Foot Conditions

The majority of foot conditions are common and can be treated by a podiatrist.  Standard diagnostic procedures are generally used to identify specific conditions and treatment can be rendered. A podiatrist also treats rare foot conditions which can be difficult to diagnose and may need extra attention and care. 

There are many rare foot conditions that can affect children. Some of these can include:

• Freiberg’s disease
• Kohler’s disease
• Maffucci syndrome

Freiberg’s disease - This can be seen as a deterioration and flattening of a metatarsal bone that exists in the ball of the foot. It typically affects pre-teen and teenage girls, but can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms that can accompany this can be swelling, stiffness, and the patient may limp. 

Kohler’s disease - This often targets the bone in the arch of the foot and affects younger boys. It can lead to an interruption of the blood supply which ultimately can lead to bone deterioration. The patient may limp or experience tenderness, swelling, and redness.

Maffucci syndrome - This affects the long bones in a child’s foot leading to the development of abnormal bone lesions. They are benign growths and typically develop in early childhood and the bones may be susceptible to breaking. 

A podiatrist can properly diagnose and treat all types of rare foot conditions. If your child is affected by any of these symptoms or conditions, please don’t hesitate to call our office so the correct treatment method can begin.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Nederland, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
 

Itchy feet can be a bothersome issue, but they are often mild and temporary. Common symptoms associated with itchy feet include the formation of crust as a wound heals, and flaky or peeling skin due to extreme dryness, rashes, redness, warmth, and swelling. Sometimes, itchy feet can lead to pus-filled blisters or general tenderness and discomfort. In certain circumstances having itchy feet may necessitate a visit to a podiatrist, such as if you develop oozing blisters or feel a worm-like tingling sensation in your feet. Persistent itching that lasts for more than two weeks or recurrent flare-ups may signal a more serious issue. If the itching spreads to other areas of your body, it's probably a good idea to consult a podiatrist. In some cases, itchy feet can be a sign of underlying health problems. For instance, swelling in the legs, arms, and stomach, yellowish skin or eyes, or reduced urinary output could indicate kidney or liver issues. When these symptoms are present alongside itchy feet, it may be an indicator of potential systemic concerns. If you experience persistent or recurring foot itching, especially if it spreads to other areas of your body and occurs during pregnancy or menopause, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a complete examination and suggestions for treatment. 

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact Pete O’Donald, DPM from Texas. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Nederland, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.