Items filtered by date: September 2024

Congenital foot problems are deformities or conditions present at birth that affect the structure and function of the feet. Common congenital foot issues include clubfoot, flat feet, and toe deformities such as overlapping or webbed toes. These conditions can range from mild to severe, impacting a child's ability to walk, balance, and engage in physical activities. Early detection is critical for effective management. Conservative treatments often begin with gentle manipulation and stretching exercises to improve foot alignment. For more structured support, custom orthotics or braces may be used to guide the foot into a more natural position as the child grows. Targeted exercises play a significant role in strengthening the muscles and improving mobility. In some cases, casting or splinting is recommended to gradually correct the deformity. While surgery is an option for more severe cases, many congenital foot problems can be managed conservatively, allowing children to develop healthy, functional feet as they grow. If your child is born with a foot condition, it is strongly suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist as quickly as possible to get treatment underway.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact James Pak, DPM of California. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

• Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
• Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
• Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
• Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
• Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
• Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Anaheim, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Runners can benefit greatly from incorporating specific stretches into their routine to enhance flexibility and prevent injury. The knee hug is an effective stretch that targets the glutes and lower back. By pulling one knee towards the chest while standing, runners can alleviate tension and improve hip mobility. Another beneficial stretch is the child’s pose, which stretches the lower back, hips, and thighs. To perform this stretch, kneel on the floor, extend your arms forward, and lower your torso towards the ground. The standing quad stretch helps maintain flexibility in the quadriceps and hip flexors. By grabbing one ankle and gently pulling it towards the glutes while standing, runners can effectively stretch these key muscle groups. If you have suffered a foot or ankle injury while running, it is suggested that you visit a podiatrist to treat your specific foot condition and guide you on effective running injury prevention methods.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact James Pak, DPM of California. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

• Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
• Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
• “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
• Cross-Training is Crucial
• Wear Proper Running Shoes
• Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Anaheim, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.