The foot is a complex structure. Your foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints and 126 ligaments, muscles and nerves, according to the Brooklyn Foot Health Center. With the average person taking between 8,000 and 10,000 steps daily, foot problems are common. As a result, it is important to protect children's feet at a young age and to keep a close eye on foot deformities that are common in children and treat them when necessary. Proper foot and bone development in children is essential for a happy, pain-free life.
Foot Development
According to Brooklyn Foot Health Center, the first year of a child's life is very important in the development of his foot. Kicking and otherwise moving their feet around is fun for babies and it's good exercise. As a child grows, shoes should be changed every few months to help promote proper function, movement and development of his feet. Shoes should never be shared between siblings and should be thrown out when they become worn. Children should also wear appropriate shoes for the types of sports they play.
Flat Feet
Babies are born with flat feet. As a child begins to grow, an arch should develop in her foot. According to the "Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine," an arch typically develops by the time a child has reached 2 to 3 years of age. Flat feet may go unnoticed and cause no pain in some children. However, other children may experience foot and lower leg pain. This should be examined by a physician. Treatment measures can include orthotics, activity modification and physical therapy.
Tarsal Coalition
A tarsal coalition is another bone development problem that occurs in children. The "Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine" indicates that this condition is most commonly diagnosed in adolescents. While rare and often misdiagnosed, tarsal coalition is the result of the bones in your child's foot not separating at birth. As a result, your child may experience pain and stiffness. Tarsal coalition can be treated conservatively with orthotics and stretching. If conservative measures fail, surgery may be performed to remove the coalition. If arthritis has formed in the joint, joint fusion may be required to ease pain.
Considerations
According to EPodiatry.com, the feet of children between the ages of 16 and 18 months grow approximately a half a foot size every two months. Toddler's -- ages 16 to 24 months -- grow approximately a half a foot size every three months. Children -- ages 24 to 26 months -- experience a half a foot size growth every four months. After the age of 3, a child's feet tend to increase a half a foot size every four to six months until the feet have stopped growing. If your child is complaining of foot pain, is limping or if you notice any foot abnormalities, take your child to the doctor.
