Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC

Do you recall suffering frequent heel pain as a child? If you do, that’s not unusual; children’s bones haven’t fully fused together, and they are more vulnerable to overuse injuries than adults. However, nobody likes seeing their child in pain, and if a child frequently suffers from sore heels, there may be a biomechanical issue at play. At Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, we assist patients of all ages, so we thought it would be a good idea to explain Sever’s Disease, a common source of childhood foot problems, in more detail. Sever’s disease, or calcaneal apophysitis, is inflammation of the growth plate connecting the back of the heel bone to the bone’s main body. The back of the heel bone is where the Achilles tendon, one of the strongest tendons in the body, attaches. When the calf muscles or the tendon itself are tight, the tendon will pull the heel up and backwards, causing soreness in the soft growth plate. The calf muscles are likely to tighten up after a person has been running and jum...

Have you ever noticed small children sometimes walk on their toes and the balls of their feet, instead of pushing off the ground with their heels? That’s called toe walking, and it’s common among toddlers when they’re learning to walk. But when children over the age of two do it, there may be a biomechanical issue we at the Mercer-Ocean Podiatry offices can assist with. Although toe walking often has no discernable cause and most children outgrow it, some cases are caused by tightness in the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon is formed by the merger of the calf muscles and it connects to the heel bone. When it or the calf muscles are too small, a person may find it more comfortable to keep their heel up as they move. Toe walking may be compounded by a neurological or muscular condition that makes walking difficult, resulting in the calf muscles and Achilles tendon being underused. Treatments to extend and strengthen the Achilles tendon in young children are conservative. Many childr...

Typically, a child’s feet are the furthest from our minds when it comes to the child’s overall health and care. Why would pediatric foot care be important when you have to think about checkups, crib safety, and a million other things? In reality, there are several problems that can affect your infant’s feet even if they don’t walk on them yet. We at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC are committed to educating parents about proper foot care for their children. As early as infancy, it’s crucial that parents take proper measures to promote good foot care for their babies. This can be accomplished in several different ways: - Cover the baby’s feet loosely. Never tighten the covers on them so that movement is restricted. - Promote exercise. With the baby lying uncovered, kicking and other related motions prepare the feet for bearing their growing weight. - Change the baby’s position several times a day. - Always check the baby’s feet for any abnormalities. Foot deformities can form easily since a b...

Foot problems in your child may appear at birth, or once your child is walking. Walking abnormally, or walking pigeon-toed is often the first sign that something is wrong with your child’s foot or their feet. Young children and teenagers may develop foot and ankle problems later in life, but they should never be ignored. If you notice any foot issues, schedule a consultation with Dr. Frank Killian of Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC. Children’s feet require special attention because their bones, muscles, and ligaments are all developing as they grow. This is why scheduling a pediatric foot exam at Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC, is important. Exams of the feet and ankles ensure that your child’s bones are growing correctly. And if a problem does arise, it can be handled early – when easiest to treat. In addition, it is important to practice proper foot care with your child such as cutting his or her toenails straight across, keep feet clean and dry, and take the necessary steps to prevent foot inj...