When to Examine Children's Feet

As a new parent, have you wondered when you should start examining your child's feet and what you're looking for when you do examine? Here's a general guideline to get you started.

Birth - Newborns should have their foot and legs examined for any potential problems. Podiatrists look for abnormalities such as clubfoot, overlapping toes, web toes, and extra toes. If there is any limitation of motion or problem, it will be addressed immediately.
4-6 mo - Next evaluation should be done at four to six months of age, right around the time that children are beginning to stand. Podiatrists will make sure that the child is developing normally and will have no problems in the upcoming months learning to walk.

1 yr - Around the one year mark, the child begins to walk. Podiatrists will look for conditions like flat feet, bowlegs, knock knees, leg length differences, and any ankle problems.

Annually - Checkups are essential for proper foot care and prevention of problems. As the body changes and grows, so do the feet. This will help identify and allow treatment of most conditions without letting them get too advanced.

Aside from regular checkups, if a child is experiencing any of the following, make an appointment to have their feet look at right away.

• shoe wear is uneven
• lumps or bumps are evident on the feet
• pain in the feet or legs exists
• tripping and falling occurs
• skin or toenail problems are present

Citation:
Image by 5 flip-flops Earl. (2012). Kaitlin's foot. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/pics2enjoy/807017660/