Some things may look like deformities but aren’t; in almost all cases, for instance, babies outgrow bowlegs, pigeon toe and toe walking. Other conditions require pediatric foot care.

Most babies are born without arches. At the age of two or three, arches should be visible. In flatfoot the arch is weak or nonexistent.

There are two types of flatfoot. Flexible flatfoot means the arches are pliable. In most cases children grow out of it. But if they don’t, or if the flatfoot causes pain, consult a podiatrist. Flexible flatfoot can be corrected with physical therapy, stretching and special orthotics for kids.

Rigid flatfoot is rare and indicates a bone abnormality. It will require more intensive treatment and possibly surgery.

All infants walk on their toes at first but if it continues past the age of two, or if your child is in pain, it’s time to consult a doctor. A podiatrist will prescribe a regimen of physical therapy, splints or braces to help your child walk properly.

Clubfoot is a congenital foot deformity. About one in 1000 children are born with clubfoot. As with other deformities, corrective foot care at an early age will make all the difference.

A child with untreated clubfoot will never develop normal walking ability. In the past the only treatment was surgery. Now most doctors use the Ponseti method, a system of gentle stretching, casting and bracing that gradually straightens the feet.

In this condition the arches are abnormally high, which can cause heel pain and make the ankles unstable. Doctors usually treat cavus foot with orthotics or with bracing and splinting. Cavus foot is often caused by other illnesses so it is critical to get a thorough diagnosis and treat the underlying disease.

A strain in the Achilles tendon that causes heel pain, this condition is common in children aged 8-14 who play sports. Your podiatrist can prescribe special orthotics for kids to remedy it.

Some Symptoms to Watch

• Your child is reluctant to play, or seems to tire easily.
• Clumsiness or frequent falls could indicate poor bone alignment.
• Your child hides his or her feet from you. Make a foot and ankle inspection part of your daily routine. Watch for signs of blisters that don’t heal, unusual calluses, or skin discolorations.