Children and teens are incredibly active. That also makes them susceptible to foot-related health problems. At Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist, Christopher Vittori, DPM, and Ameet Thakrar, DPM, offer an array of children’s foot care services, including diagnosis and treatment of warts, heel pain, and ingrown toenails. To schedule an appointment for your child at the office in Homer Glen or New Lenox, Illinois, call or click the online booking tool.
Children’s foot care treats and prevents podiatric problems in kids and teens. It uses custom treatments to minimize pain and encourage mobility, allowing for a healthy and active lifestyle.
If your child regularly experiences foot or ankle pain, and it interferes with their ability to play sports, spend time with friends, or participate in other activities they love, don’t wait to seek treatment at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist.
Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist uses children’s foot care to treat various issues, including:
Warts are small, flesh-colored growths that develop on the weight-bearing areas of the feet. They’re caused by the human papillomavirus and are especially common in children and teens who play sports. Most warts go away on their own, but some require removal with cryotherapy or salicylic acid.
An ingrown toenail occurs when a nail grows into the soft skin that surrounds the nail bed. When left untreated, an ingrown toenail may become infected, causing swelling, redness, and pain. You can significantly lower the risk of an ingrown toenail by clipping your child’s nails straight across.
Heel pain occurs for various reasons, including plantar fasciitis and Sever’s disease. Plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury that causes the plantar fascia –– a band of fibrous tissue –– to become inflamed due to activities like running or jumping. Sever’s disease commonly affects active children between the ages of 8-14. It occurs due to strain on the Achilles tendon.
Children with flat feet have no visible arch. That causes the soles of their feet to make direct contact with the ground. Though flat feet usually aren’t a serious problem, they can cause gait or posture problems that result in ankle, back, or leg pain.
Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist tailors children’s foot care to each individual’s needs. Each appointment begins with a comprehensive foot and ankle exam, a review of your child’s medical history, and a discussion of their symptoms.
If these measures don’t provide enough information to make a diagnosis or recommendation for treatment, your child’s provider might order additional tests like X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI. These imaging procedures provide detailed photographs of the bones, joints, and soft tissues in your child’s feet.
To request a children’s foot care appointment, contact Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist. Call the nearest office or click the online booking tool.
