Dr. Brandon Macy
Podiatrist - Clark, NJ
1114 Raritan Road
Clark, NJ 07066
She loves to take walks but recently seems to want to stop earlier than before. She doesn’t seem to want to put shoes on and fights you when you try to convince her that she needs them.
He is usually running around and forcing you to play “catch the toddler” but lately, he doesn’t even want to walk. Instead, he wants you to carry him everywhere.
What might be going on?
Your toddler might not be able to properly express that he or she is feeling foot discomfort. Instead, you might hear whining or frustration.
The foot problems can be congenital (from birth), developmental, or even due to ill-fitting shoes. Check the following for signs that point to foot problems as the source of unexplained crankiness:
If your child is complaining of foot pain, come in for an assessment with our friendly board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy. Make an appointment today at the New Jersey Children's Foot Health Institute at the Clark Podiatry Center. Your children will get the best treatments and foot care tips at our Clark, NJ office, which serves the surrounding Union County areas. We keep you walking!
As your child continues to grow taller and stronger, they may experience what we commonly call “growing pains”. But did you know that there is no evidence that growth causes pain? So what’s going on when your child complains of aches and pains in the legs and is sometimes even woken up by it?
Well, it’s most likely the body’s way of telling your child that he or she has overused muscles throughout the day. As your child learns the limits of what the body can do, (s)he might play (run, jump, or climb) to the point of overexertion. The thighs, knees, or calves may feel stiff or sore and the pain may not go away until morning (with adequate rest).
But what if the pain continues to bother them? Or what if the pain is in the feet or ankles? These symptoms may indicate more of a problem.
Ongoing or chronic pain can indicate that there are misalignment issues in the feet, ankles, or legs, causing repetitive strain on certain muscles, tendons, or ligaments. Children who are pigeon-toed or are in-toeing can experience ongoing pain in different parts of the feet, ankles, or calves.
If the pain is localized to a specific part of the foot or ankle, there’s a good chance that there is a foot problem, such as:
Actually, pain in the feet and ankles are never “growing pains”. So if your child complains of pain in the areas of the leg with muscles, they may find relief with some massage or a warm bath with Epsom salt. However, if the pain is in the joint itself, or the feet or ankles, make an appointment to see us at The New Jersey Children’s Foot Health Institute at Clark Podiatry Center. Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy will assess your child’s feet and ankles to find the best treatment. We are located in Clark, NJ and serve patients in all the surrounding Union County towns!
Have you ever checked the way that your outer soles wear down? If you tend to pronate as you walk, you may see that it wears down at an angle. If you tend to drag your feet when you walk, the back of the soles will be unevenly worn down when compared to the front of the shoes.
If you haven’t recently taken the time to check your gait (the way you walk), it may be a good time to do so! Take a few moments to review the following:
Walking properly is important to prevent future issues. In-toeing, out-toeing, pronating, supinating, or other gait problems can cause deformities or other painful issues, including plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis.
If you’re not sure whether or not you have a proper gait, come see our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy for a gait analysis. Make an appointment today to have your feet assessed and treated with care. We are located in Clark, NJ and serve patients in all of Union County! We keep you walking!
Our children’s health is always of top concern. With the myriad of information out there about things that can go wrong, it can be hard for parents to determine when something is actually a problem for our growing children. The older they get, their bodies go through many changes, and sometimes it can be difficult to decipher what’s normal and what isn’t.
At least with regards to their feet, we at the New Jersey Foot Health Institute of Clark Podiatry Center have some tips as to when you should pay close attention to possible children’s foot problems. Look out for the following symptoms or issues:
Inspect your regularly for changes in the skin of the feet as well, especially after your child has been playing barefoot or in socks. Check for cuts, bruises, color change, rashes, or odor, and treat accordingly. Children are also prone to fungal or viral infections, so foot hygiene is very important. Many older children may ignore foot pain or try to shake it off, so it’s best to be vigilant about any changes in walking or behavior.
If you suspect that your child might have a foot problem, or if your child is complaining of foot pain, make an appointment today at Clark Podiatry Center. Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brandon Macy will assess your children’s feet to find the best treatments or solutions for their developing feet. We are located in Clark, NJ and serve patients in all the surrounding Union County towns!
Questions or Comments?
We encourage you to contact us whenever you have an interest or concern about our services.
1114 Raritan Road
Clark, NJ 07066