Orthopedics And Your Child

Just as often, though, these skeletal conditions are a part of the natural growth process. There are a number of signs to look out for, as well as a number of solutions for you and your child.

Occasionally, when a child first begins walking they will only use their toes to travel. This is a general occurrence and isn’t necessarily something to cause alarm. If your child is walking mainly on their toes, don’t worry it’s a perfectly normal thing for them. Sometimes occurring well into the second year, toddlers who are learning to walk will do so up on their toes. However, in the rare occurrence that your child is “toe-walking” after their second year or seems to be doing so all the time, seek a doctor or take your child to an orthopedics specialist.

Another commonly occurring orthopedic phenomenon with infants is the bowed leg. Because infants are built to fit inside a mother’s womb, their legs must curve and bones will take on bowed appearance. This phenomenon will generally disappear as the child ages and their infant bone structure is replaced with their more permanent and harder skeleton. As the child begins walking regularly their legs will have a stronger, straighter look. Very rarely do bowed legs become a problem beyond toddler hood.

Finally, infants can also exhibit the look of being “pigeon-toed”. If your infant or young toddler walks with their toes pointed in toward one another, don’t be alarmed as this is quite common during early childhood. Every once in a while children, who walk with their toes pointing inward, will not grow out of this style of walking until they reach late childhood or even young adulthood. Most orthopedic surgeons will explain that this experience, although frustrating, is a natural part of the growth process for some kids.

There are times when you will need to seek out an orthopedist or orthopedic surgeon. They can give you detailed advice on the growth of your child, what’s normal and what needs treatment. Those doctors with a focus in orthopedics will want the very best possible outcome as your child continues through their growth patterns. You may have to consider surgical intervention to help along your child’s growth. Most likely, though, you will be given a simple list of aids that can help your child.

Sometimes simply purchasing your child a good pair of shoes will do the trick. Because kids experience foot and leg pain just like an adult, it is very important that they have a good fitting pair of shoes. This should be something they are comfortable in for long periods of time in which they can perform various activities. Shoes with an orthopedics purpose are generally leather shoes made with a thick, non-sloping sole. Comfortable shoes, even for a normal walking and growing child, can be a good fit.