At Bayshore Podiatry, we understand that your children’s feet are the foundation for a healthy and active life. As a family-owned podiatry center located in Tampa, Florida, we specialize in diagnosing and treating a wide range of pediatric foot and ankle conditions to provide your child with a tailored treatment plan that best caters to their unique healthcare needs.

Why Pediatric Podiatry Is Important

Unlike adults whose bones, muscles, and ligaments are fully grown and strengthened, a child’s feet are constantly growing and developing as they age. Like most conditions, early detection and treatment of either foot or ankle issues can help to prevent serious health conditions from formulating.

Pediatric podiatry requires a strong understanding of children’s growth patterns and developmental milestones to address potential diseases and deformities early. Our team at Bayshore Podiatry is expertly trained in both recognizing signs of pediatric diseased feet and applying age-appropriate interventions needed to restore your child’s health along with educating parents on preventative management techniques like proper foot hygiene, appropriate footwear, and regular check-ups.

Pediatric Foot Conditions We Treat

At Bayshore Podiatry, our team specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide range of pediatric foot and ankle conditions and diseases. Below is a brief list of the conditions we treat to help you make the best treatment decision for your child:

Achilles Tendinitis: A common condition that particularly effects older children and adults who participate in sports, Achilles Tendinitis involves the inflammation of the Achilles tendon, leading to pain and swelling of the back of the leg, ankle, and heel.

Athlete’s Foot: Athlete’s foot is a highly contagious fungal infection that can be spread through direct skin-to-skin contact or through contaminated surfaces like shoes, socks, and towels.

Arthritic Foot Pain: Arthritic foot pain is characterized by swelling, inflammation, pain, and stiffness around the joints of the foot potentially caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, gout, or ankylosing spondylitis.

Bunions: Bunions are a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe and are often a hereditary condition that can affect both children and adults.

Corns: Corns are small, hardened areas of the skin that develop on the feet after repeated friction or pressure. There are two main types of corns: hard corns develop on the top or sides of the foot and soft corns, which appear between the toes.

Diabetic Foot Treatments: High blood sugar levels caused by diabetes can create nerve damage and poor circulation in the foot, potentially leading to further complications like peripheral neuropathy, foot ulcers, Charcot Foot, and infections.

Flat Feet: Flat feet occur when the arches of the feet are flattened, causing the entire sole of the foot to make contact with the ground.

Foot and Ankle Fractures: Foot and ankle fractures are painful occurrences that both children and adults may experience, especially if they are physically active or participate in sports.

Fungal Toenails: The appearance of fungal toenails occurs when fungi infiltrate a toenail, causing discoloration, thickness, and texture changes to the nail.

Hammertoes: Hammertoes are a condition that causes the toes of your child’s feet to curl under or point downward instead of lying flat to the ground.

Heel Pain: Heel pain can occur in your child’s foot as the result of plantar fasciitis, Achilles Tendonitis, heel spurs, excessive pronation, heel bursitis, or stone bruising.

Heel Spurs: Heel spurs can develop through a calcium deposit that causes a bony protrusion on the underside of the heel bone to form.

Ingrown Toenails: This condition can occur when the toenail grows into the surrounding skin of your child’s toe, causing an infection and pain. Our pediatric podiatrists will be able to treat and correct this condition in our local office.

Iselin Disease: Iselin disease commonly develops in children aged 9 to 14 by effecting the growth plate of the fifth metatarsal (the long bone on the outside of the foot), which can lead to pain when walking or standing.

In-Toeing (Pigeon Toes): In-Toeing is characterized by the feet of your child pointing inwards instead of being in line with the leg.

Out-Toeing (Duck Feet): Out-Toeing is where the toes of the feet point outward instead of being in line with the leg, causing a decrease in mobility and increase in pain.

Orthotics: Using a custom mold of your child’s feet, orthotics for children can provide crucial support while also treating foot conditions like flat feet, heel pain, Sever’s disease, and gait abnormalities.

Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis involves too much stress on the connective tissue of the heel, arch, and mid-foot, causing inflammation, overtightening, pain, and tearing.

Plantar Warts: Plantar warts are commonly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) and usually develop on the toes and soles of the foot.

Polydactyly: Polydactyly is a condition that causes a child to develop extra toes or fingers. Surgical removal of the extra digits is often the preferred treatment of polydactyly for both function and aesthetic appearance.

Sever’s Disease: Sever’s disease is a foot condition caused by the inflammation of growth plates in the heel, which can cause a child to feel pain whenever they put weight on their feet such as when they are standing or walking.

Sports Injury: If you have a child who participates in sports, sport injuries like sprains and fractures are common occurrences that can be effectively treated by our pediatric podiatrists.

Tarsal Coalition: Tarsal coalition involves an abnormal tissue connection between the tarsal bones of your child’s foot, resulting in difficulty walking and consistent pain.

Toe Walking: Toe walking is a common occurrence in children 3 years or younger who are first learning to walk. Persistent toe walking could indicate a neurological disorder.

When to See a Pediatric Podiatrist

If you are considering whether a trip to Bayshore Podiatrist is the right option for your child, a few considerations can be made before setting up your appointment such as if your child is experiencing any of the following:

• Persistent foot or ankle pain
• Visible deformities (e.g., extra toes, flat feet)
• Difficulty walking or abnormal gait
• Ingrown toenails or infections
• Skin or nail issues such as warts or fungal infections

At Bayshore Podiatry, we are committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive pediatric podiatry services personalized to your child’s foot and ankle health. Our team is here to help guide you through comprehensive consultations and personalized treatments to help your child step confidently into the future. For more information, contact us today to schedule your appointment.