Is my baby's foot normal? - Georgina Tay, Singapore Podiatrist

Is my baby's foot normal? - Georgina Tay, Singapore Podiatrist

Many parents are not aware of exactly what to look for when it comes to normal foot and lower limb development. Empowering parents with the knowledge of normal vs abnormal is key to safeguarding the child's optimal growth and development. Certain musculoskeletal changes in the paediatric foot are more likely to lead to problems later in life.

A newborn's foot is small, scrawny, flakey and fragile. A parent’s examination of the foot should start with the toes. This may seem obvious, but make sure the newborn has 10 separate toes.

Check the bottom of the feet, looking closely at the crease lines extending across the foot. There should not be any deep creases as this can indicate underlying bone deformities such as club foot or vertical talus.

Assess the deviation of the toes when non-weight bearing, it is not ideal if they are pointing towards the other foot. This can suggest that the child has an underlying metatarsus adductus or clubfoot.

The infant's foot should be very flexible and mobile because true bones have not formed in the feet yet. Decreased range of motion at certain areas of the feet, especially if in one foot only, may signal a structural deformity.

Birthmarks, lumps, bumps, and lesions such as café-au-lait spots or hemangiomas should be noted and monitored for changes over the months and years, as these can change. Depending on the area of the body affected, treatment may be required. Some skin lesions can sometimes be related to neurofibromatosis or genetic disorders that are generally highlighted in pre-natal testing and should be monitored.

Reflexes are key indicators to know your babies' development. Look out for normal reflexes such as the mono, step, Babinski and crawling reflexes which are present from birth. These reflexes should generally stop after a few months as the baby grows bigger and stronger. They are key indicators to gauging your babies' neurological development.

If you are concerned about your child’s leg and foot development, it is best to see a podiatrist for evaluation and reassurance. When it comes to paediatric lower limb development, many conditions are time-sensitive because the child is growing fast. Early intervention is key for resolving many conditions.

Here are some common lower limb and gait abnormalities Podiatrists often see in children:

Children In-toeing

In-toeing, or “pigeon-toed”, is often noticed by parents when the toddler starts walking in earnest. The feet appear to turn inward, instead of pointing out or straight ahead. In-toeing can be due to abnormal bone alignment in the legs and feet, or due to soft tissue contractures in the hips, or a combination of both. A lower extremity examination is necessary to pinpoint the site of rotational deformity.

Where conservative treatment is indicated, orthotic gait plates can be used to passively correct the in-toeing. Orthopaedic surgery may be required in cases of severe deformity, pain, and/or limping.

Children Toe Walking

Parents usually notice toe-walking in a child when he/she first walks independently. The toe-walking may be habitual (voluntary), or it may be due to an underlying neuromuscular or neuropsychiatric disorder (such as autism).

In the common case of habitual tip toe walking, we initiate treatment to encourage the child to walk normally. Prolonged toe-walking can lead to a shortening of the calf muscles and Achilles tendon, in which case surgery may be required.

Children Knock Knees

Knock-knees, or genu valgum, is an angular deformity exhibited at the knees when the child is standing at attention: the knees touch, but the feet do not.

While knock-knees development is physiologic and self-correcting for many children, medical attention is warranted in cases where it is severe or asymmetrical. Surgery may be required.

Children Orthotics (shoe insoles)
It is important to assess foot problems in childhood and address them if necessary as some of these issues can have long-lasting effects, affecting the individual’s quality of life as an adult.

At East Coast Podiatry, we perform full paediatric biomechanical assessments for children with musculoskeletal complaints. This allows us to build a comprehensive diagnosis of present and future problems for paediatric patients. We also work closely with other healthcare professionals such as orthopaedic surgeons, allowing us to make prompt referrals for any children who need more serious intervention.

See a Podiatrist today!

EAST COAST PODIATRY

Clinic Locations:

Orchard Clinic
302 Orchard Road . Tong Building #09-02 . Singapore 238862
Tel: [phone]

Kembangan Clinic
18 Jalan Masjid . Kembangan Plaza # B1-02/04/05 . Singapore 418944
Tel: [phone]

Novena Clinic
10 Sinaran Drive . Novena Medical Center #08-13 . Singapore 307506
Tel: [phone]