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Podopaediatrics

Podopaediatrics is a clinical branch of pediatric medicine that deals with pediatric foot diseases and its associated effects upon the lower limb of the child. Care of the child’s foot is important in the first year of life because it is the period of rapid growth wherein the feet may grow to half the size of the child’s adult foot. A child’s foot may be affected by warts, heel pain, ingrown nails, flat feet, in-toeing or outoeing. The more common clinical conditions of the foot and ankles brought to the attention of the podiatrist are club foot, high arch, tarsal coalition, and toe deformities; some of which are noted as follows.

Club Foot

Club foot is a common foot deformity observable at birth where one or two feet are turned towards an inward and downward position also known as talipes equinovarus. This condition is generally more common in boys than in girls. There are two kinds of club foot, the postural or the positional club foot and the Rigid or Fixed Club Foot. Club foot does not cause pain but it may be disfiguring to a child and may affect the child’s ability to walk.

High Arch

High arch or Cavus foot is a clinical condition wherein the arch from toe to the heel is raised more than the normal. The excessive weight on the ball and heel may cause pain and instability in the gait of the child. Children with neurological disorders like cerebral palsy, poliomyelitis, and muscular dystrophy may be more likely to develop cavus foot.

Tarsal Coalition

Tarsal coalition is a developmental condition in which there is an abnormal connection between two or more tarsal bones. The abnormal growth of bone cartilage and fibrous tissue causes pain and decreased range of motion of the foot.

Toe Deformities

Toes are the digits in your feet that are associated with walking, providing balance, weight bearing and other activities. These are the common toe deformities in children: Hallux Valgus, Hammer Toe, Mallet Toe, Claw Toe, Curly Toe, Polydactyly and Syndactyly.

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