Pediatric / GrowingAge Foot Problems
Pediatric & Growing Age Foot Care: Early Intervention & Healthy Foundation
Children’s feet undergo constant growth, adaptation, and structural development. Subtle irregularities—if unaddressed—can evolve into lifelong dysfunction, pain, or gait issues. At Dr. Michele Selsor’s Pinellas Park practice, we specialize in diagnosing and treating pediatric foot and lower limb conditions, ensuring healthy alignment from infancy through adolescence.
Evaluation & Assessment
Imaging only when necessary: Historically, most growth-phase issues are monitored over time and X-rays in cases of structural concern or symptomatic deformity.
Developmental and growth history
Age of walking, milestones, family history.
Complaints of fatigue, pain, limping.
Physical and biomechanical exam
Observation of standing posture, rearfoot/forefoot alignment.
Gait analysis (toe-off, heel strike).
Flexibility, joint mobility, muscle strength.
Footprint or pressure mapping as needed.
Common Pediatric Foot Conditions
- Flat feet / fallen arches (pes planus).
- In-toeing / out-toeing (rotational abnormalities).
- Metatarsus adductus / forefoot adduction.
- Flexible or rigid deformities (e.g., clubfoot).
- Toe walking or gait abnormalities.
- Growing pains / apophysitis (e.g. Sever’s disease in the heel).
- Juvenile bunions or hammertoes, neuromas, warts, and skin conditions.
Treatment & Management
Conservative guidance & observation
1
- Monitoring developmental progression.
- Appropriate, supportive footwear (flexible, supportive, correct sizing).
- Activity modification, stretching and strengthening.
- Orthotic or insole support in selected cases.
Non-invasive corrections
2
- Night splints, casting, serial casting (in mild/moderate forefoot adduction).
- Physical therapy to correct muscle/positional imbalances.
Surgical intervention (rare and carefully timed)
3
- Indicated only for rigid deformities that fail conservative management.
- Soft tissue releases, osteotomies, tendon transfers, guided growth.
- Timing is critical: growth potential should be respected.
Follow-up & growth monitoring
4
- Regular assessments to confirm alignment, function, and comfort.
- Adjust orthotics or footwear as child grows.
- Education for children and parents on foot health, inspection, and footwear choices.
Regional Considerations & Practice Relevance
- In the Pinellas County / Tampa Bay region, children often engage in outdoor, barefoot, or minimally shod play — making early detection of foot issues critical.
- Dr. Selsor’s practice in Pinellas Park is positioned to serve families across the greater Tampa Bay area for pediatric foot concerns drmicheleselsor.com.
- Our philosophy emphasizes early, gentle intervention to guide normal development rather than overtreatment.
If your child is complaining of foot or leg pain, showing an unusual gait, or you see structural asymmetries, schedule an evaluation. We’ll guide you toward the best path for healthy foot growth and functional development.