Pediatric Foot Care

Pediatric Foot Care: Healthy Feet for Life

Parents have a huge responsibility. They are tasked with caring for a helpless human being. This means feeding, clothing, bathing and providing shelter and medical care. We have no problem giving our children shots and caring for teeth, but somehow feet get neglected in the process. That's probably because babies don't use their feet much during their first year of life. However, foot problems can develop at birth and during the first years of life. These problems can lead to other conditions if not treated promptly. Long Beach podiatrist Dr. Naftoli Weingarten offers pediatric foot care for your growing child.

Common Pediatric Foot Care Issues

Just like adults, children can experience foot issues such as the following:

• Flat feet
• Ingrown toenails
• Toeing in/out
• Arch or heel pain
• Warts
• Fungal infections

Orthotics and prescription medications can heal some of these conditions. Orthotics help maintain foot support and distribute weight properly. In extreme cases, surgery may be required.

Tips for Good Foot Health

Pediatric foot care starts at birth. Here are some things you can do as a parent to keep your child's feet healthy:

• Provide exercise.
• Don't cover feet too loosely.
• Change your baby's position often throughout the day.
• Check feet often for abnormalities.
• See a doctor if your child has foot pain or swelling.

Care for Your Child's Feet

Our feet need to last a lifetime. Pediatric foot care is very important. Start caring for your child's feet from birth to prevent other health issues. Schedule a checkup for your child with Long Beach podiatrist Dr. Naftoli Weingarten by calling (562) 422-3338 or visit www.lbfoot.com

Bunions

Bunions

When your big toe grows a 'bump' on the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, it's referred to as a bunion. Bunions form when your tissue or bone at your big toe joint shifts from its original place. It forces your toe to bend towards your other toes leading to a painful bone lump on your foot. We offer various treatments for bunions here at Weingarten Foot & Ankle Center in Long Beach, CA.

Preventing the Growth or Progression of Bunions

You can slow down or even prevent the growth of this deformity with some simple steps, which include avoiding narrow toe box shoes, wearing shoes that are supportive, obtaining custom orthotics, and visiting our podiatric office at the first signs of your deformity so we can treat it early.

Treatment for Bunions

The severity and type of bunion you have will determine the treatment you receive. If you identify and treat the deformity early on, you can avoid surgery. The main purpose of early treatment for bunions is to halt the joint deformity progression and relieve the pressure.

Our podiatrists Dr. Naftoli H. Weingarten DPM and Dr. Candace J. Buckley, DPM recommend the following treatments depending on the severity of you bunions:

• Medication (cortizone injections and anti-inflammatory drugs)
• Taping and Padding
• Physical Therapy
• Orthotics (shoe inserts)
• Surgical Procedures (bunionectomy for mild deformity, more involved surgery for severe)

If you are suffering with bunions, give our foot and ankle center a call at 562-422-3338 to set up an appointment with either Dr. Weingarten or Dr. Buckley to go over which treatment is best for your case. Our podiatry specialists commit to your health and comfort.

www.lbfoot.com