For growing teenagers foot and ankle health is very important to overall growth and development. Foot pain is often ignored or “shaken off”, making it more likely that it will go untreated until it gets worse. During this time of development, deformities can form and posture can be affected. These and other issues can cause future problems.
It may be alarming, that a study found that approximately 60% of teenagers have some kind of foot or ankle pain. Sports injuries, shoes that don’t fit well, and small pains that teens tend to ignore are usually the causes. To make things more complicated, teenagers usually do not focus on foot health as a priority.
If your teenagers show signs of having foot or ankle issues, we at Crofton Podiatry are more than happy to help with the issues. Our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll, will be able to assess any issues and give proper treatment to prevent more problems down the line.
Guidelines for Healthy Footcare to share with your Teens
- Feet should be washed each day with soap and water and completely dried, especially in between the toes and around toenails.
- Warts, fungal infections, cuts and blisters, and ingrown toenails should be treated as soon as they are found – going to Dr. Toll if issues are persistent.
- Make sure footwear fits. The best time to get measured is in the afternoon or evening as feet can change in size by swelling over the course of the day. Also, make sure to use footwear that are designed for particular activities – running in flip flops is a no-no.
- Arch and heel supports are very important in the shoes you choose. Painful shoes are more likely to continue to give you problems and may even cause deformities in the long run!
For more information about proper footcare, and to treat any foot and ankle issues your teenagers may be experiencing, make an appointment at our Crofton, MD office by calling (410) 721-4505.