Pediatric Podiatry in Central Florida – Kids' Foot & Ankle Care

By Dr. Carli Hoover, DPM

Pediatric Podiatry in Central Florida – Kids' Foot & Ankle Care

Your child's feet are constantly growing and changing, and problems that develop early can affect how they walk, run, and play for years to come. Dr. Carli Hoover specializes in pediatric podiatry, helping young patients in Central Florida achieve healthy foot development and pain-free childhoods. Whether your child is experiencing growing pains, running faster as an athlete, or developing foot deformities, expert care makes all the difference.

Why Pediatric Feet Are Different

Children's feet aren't just smaller versions of adult feet—they're fundamentally different in important ways that affect how they develop and what problems they might experience.

Growth Plates and Development

Until late adolescence, your child's feet contain growth plates—areas of soft cartilage where new bone develops. These growth plates are:

More Vulnerable to Injury: Growth plates can be injured more easily than mature bone. What seems like a minor twist might damage a growth plate, affecting future foot development.

Active Sites of Growth: As your child grows, these growth plates actively produce new bone. Certain conditions specifically target these developing areas.

Indicators of Overall Development: How your child's feet develop provides clues about overall growth and development.

Flexible but Developing Arches

Baby feet are largely cartilaginous (made of cartilage rather than bone). As your child grows, bones ossify (turn into bone), and arches develop. This process takes years, and problems during development can create lifelong foot issues.

Rapid Changes

Children's feet change dramatically as they grow. Shoe sizes increase multiple times during childhood. This rapid change means periodic professional assessment is valuable.

Common Pediatric Foot Problems

Flat Feet (Pes Planus)

Many young children have flat feet—this is actually normal in infants and toddlers. As they grow, arches typically develop.

Concerning Signs:

Flat feet persisting beyond age 3-4
Pain or complaints about feet hurting
Tripping, clumsiness, or running difficulty
Shoes wearing out unevenly

Treatment: Most flat feet are developmental and resolve naturally. However, some children benefit from orthotics to support developing arches and prevent pain.

In-Toeing and Out-Toeing

How your child's toes point when walking is a common concern for parents:

In-Toeing (Pigeon Toes): Toes point inward when walking or running. Usually develops naturally as bones grow and rotate. Most cases resolve without intervention.

Out-Toeing: Toes point outward. Also usually developmental and often resolves with growth.

When Treatment Is Needed: If the deformity is severe, progressive, or associated with pain or clumsiness, intervention helps. Dr. Hoover can assess whether specific treatment is warranted.

Toe Walking

Some children prefer walking on their toes rather than with a normal heel-to-toe gait. While occasionally normal, persistent toe walking requires evaluation:

Normal vs. Concerning:

Occasional toe walking is normal
Persistent toe walking, especially if associated with tightness, may indicate calf muscle shortness or neurological issues
Some children with sensory sensitivities prefer toe walking

Assessment and Treatment: Dr. Hoover can determine whether stretching, bracing, or other interventions are appropriate.

Growing Pains

"Growing pains" is a term many parents use for leg pain in children, but the specific foot condition your child might experience is:

Sever's Disease (Calcaneal Apophysitis): Inflammation of the growth plate in the heel, common in kids ages 8-14, especially active children.

Symptoms:

Heel pain, particularly after activity
Pain worse in the morning after sleeping
Limping or reluctance to walk
Pain with running or jumping

Cause: The Achilles tendon pulls on the heel's growth plate. Growth causes tightness, and activity stresses the growth plate, causing pain.

Treatment:

Rest and activity modification
Stretching of calf muscles
Proper footwear
Orthotics with heel cushioning
Ice therapy for flare-ups

Most cases resolve completely with conservative treatment.

Ingrown Toenails

Children sometimes develop ingrown toenails, either from improper nail trimming or shoes that are too tight.

Prevention:

Trim toenails straight across
Avoid cutting nails too short
Ensure shoes fit properly
Keep feet clean and dry

Treatment: Mild cases respond to home care (warm soaks, proper nail trimming). More serious cases require professional care to prevent infection.

Plantar Warts

These common foot warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Children frequently develop warts after exposure at pools, locker rooms, or communal showers.

Characteristics:

Hard, cauliflower-like growths on foot soles
Pain when pressure is applied
Possible black dots in the wart center

Treatment Options: Dr. Hoover offers multiple treatment approaches:

Topical medications
Cryotherapy (freezing)
Laser treatment
Surgical removal if necessary

Warts can be stubborn, sometimes requiring multiple treatments.

Bunions and Hammertoes

These deformities can develop in children, especially if there's a family history:

Risk Factors:

Family history of bunions or hammertoes
Certain neuromuscular conditions
Down syndrome and other genetic conditions

Pediatric Management: For growing children with deformities, conservative treatment is preferred:

Appropriate footwear
Orthotics
Activity modification

Surgical correction is typically postponed until skeletal maturity, as growing bones continue changing.

Sports Injuries in Young Athletes

As children increasingly participate in competitive sports, podiatric sports medicine becomes important.

Common Youth Sports Injuries

Ankle Sprains: The most common sports injury. Quick lateral movements in basketball, soccer, or football cause inversion injuries. The APMA sprains and fractures page says the same about kids’ sports: basketball-style cutting is a prime ankle-sprain setup, and pain, swelling, or trouble walking after a twist is the cue to get it examined rather than taped in the parking lot.

Stress Fractures: Repetitive impact in distance runners or jumpers can cause small cracks in foot bones, particularly the metatarsals.

Achilles Tendonitis: Inflammation from repetitive explosive movements in sports requiring quick acceleration and deceleration.

Turf Toe: Damage to the big toe joint from planting and pushing off explosively, common in football and soccer.

Specialized Care for Youth Athletes

Dr. Hoover understands the unique needs of young athletes:

Growth Plate Protection: Treatment carefully protects developing growth plates while allowing healing.

Return-to-Play Decisions: Dr. Hoover helps determine when it's safe to return to sports, preventing re-injury.

Biomechanical Assessment: Identifying movement patterns or structural issues contributing to injury helps prevent future problems.

Performance Optimization: Beyond treating injuries, Dr. Hoover helps young athletes optimize foot and ankle function for better performance.

The Importance of Pediatric Foot Care

Problems developing during childhood can create lifelong consequences if not addressed:

Gait Issues: Abnormal walking patterns established in childhood can persist, creating arthritis risk in adulthood.

Pain and Disability: Untreated foot problems limit children's activities, affecting their physical development and confidence.

Sports Participation: Foot problems can prevent children from enjoying sports and maintaining fitness.

Orthopedic Consequences: Foot biomechanics affect knees, hips, and back. Foot problems can cause problems higher up the kinetic chain.

When to Schedule Your Child's Foot Exam

Consider bringing your child to Dr. Carli Hoover if:

Age Considerations:

Around age 2-3, your child should have a baseline foot assessment
At age 5-6, reassess as school-age growth begins
At ages 8-10 and again at 12-14, periodic checks monitor development
Anytime your child is entering competitive sports

Symptom-Based Visits:

Your child complains of foot or ankle pain
You notice limping, clumsiness, or unusual gait
Your child avoids activities due to foot discomfort
Growing pains are affecting your child's activities
Ankle sprains or other injuries occur
You notice significant flat feet or other deformities
Your child has a family history of foot problems

What to Expect During Your Child's Visit

Dr. Hoover makes pediatric visits comfortable and engaging:

Gentle Examination: She examines your child's feet thoroughly but gently, explaining what she's doing in language your child understands.

Gait Assessment: She observes how your child walks and runs, identifying any abnormalities.

Pain Localization: If your child has pain, she carefully identifies the source and cause.

Parent Education: She explains findings and discusses any concerns or treatment options with you.

Child-Friendly Communication: Dr. Hoover explains things in terms children understand, reducing anxiety and encouraging cooperation.

Prevention Tips for Healthy Kids' Feet

Help your child maintain healthy feet:

Proper Footwear:

Ensure shoes fit properly (thumb's width between longest toe and shoe end)
Replace shoes as feet grow
Choose shoes appropriate for activities
Avoid high heels for children

Hygiene:

Daily foot washing
Complete drying after water exposure
Clean socks changed as needed
Toenail trimming (help younger children)

Activity Balance:

Encourage diverse activities rather than single-sport specialization
Include adequate rest and recovery
Gradual progression in mileage or intensity (10% per week)
Age-appropriate training

Monitoring:

Regular foot inspections
Attention to limping or pain complaints
Watch for signs of problems developing
Periodic professional assessments

Expert Pediatric Care in Central Florida

Dr. Carli Hoover's expertise with children makes her ideal for families in Central Florida seeking pediatric podiatry care. She understands children's unique needs and grows with them through different developmental stages.

Your child's foot health affects their entire childhood and has lifelong consequences. Investing in proper care now prevents problems that might otherwise persist for years.

Schedule Your Child's Foot Exam Today

Whether your child has foot pain, you're concerned about their gait, or you simply want professional insight into their foot development, Dr. Carli Hoover is here to help.

Call (407) 307-0006 or book at https://floridafai.intakeq.com/booking to schedule your child's podiatric examination. Let's ensure they develop healthy, functional feet for a lifetime of activity and comfort.

Pediatric Podiatry in Central Florida – Kids' Foot & Ankle Care