After nine months inside the womb, your little bundle of joy is finally here. After a quick check for 10 fingers and 10 toes, you wrap your arms around your little one. As your baby grows, you notice things like that cute little nose or the adorable dimples they have when they smile.
While most parents focus on these amazing features as their baby grows, keeping a close eye on the feet is also essential. In fact, your baby’s feet can speak volumes and alert you to possible foot abnormalities well before they can affect their walking ability.
Your Baby’s Feet Can Speak Volumes
Foot abnormalities can be common in infants, but the good news is most of them can be corrected without any surgical intervention. Keeping a close eye on your baby’s precious little feet can give you a lot of information. Some common things to look for can include:
- Foot turns inward or the bottom of the foot faces sideways – This can be a sign of a common foot disorder known as clubfoot. This can happen due to genetics, uterine positioning or a prolonged time in the breech position.
- A C-shaped foot where the toe points inward, facing the other foot – This condition, known as metatarsus adductus, is just as common as clubfoot.
- Curly toes – this occurs when the baby’s toes are in an abnormally rotated position. In many cases, curly toes resolve on their own.
- Overlapping toes – Overlapping toes occur when the baby toe crosses over the neighboring toe. This is not bothersome to babies but can create a problem when it comes to wearing shoes and walking. In some cases, surgical intervention is necessary.
- Toe-walking – It is common for babies to walk on their toes until the age of two or three. However, continual toe-walking can be an indication of a tight Achilles tendon or a contracted muscle.
The use of casts and splints at an early age are often enough to correct many different foot conditions in infants and young children.
Most Common Foot Problems Resolve Without Treatment
The good news is that most treatment options for these foot concerns do not involve surgery. Because babies’ bones are not fully developed, the use of casts or splints is often enough to correct the deformity when discovered early.
Your Baby’s Feet Require Specialized Treatment
Your baby’s feet are precious and require specialized care. If your pediatrician suspects problems with the feet, they may refer you to a pediatric podiatrist.
At Shady Grove Podiatry, we specialize in treating pediatric foot and ankle conditions and offer the specialized treatment they need. For more information, contact us today at 301-949-2995 or through our online contact form.