Pediatric Foot Care Specialist
Podiatry & Foot & Ankle Surgery located in Live Oak, TX
If your child experiences foot pain or other problems that affect their mobility and quality of life, consider pediatric foot care. At Greater San Antonio Podiatry, experienced podiatrist Rolando Santellana, DPM, provides pediatric foot care to children ages 4 and older. Using a noninvasive, patient-centric approach, he can identify the source of your child’s symptoms and help them feel better. To make an appointment, call the office in Live Oak, Texas, or book online today.
Pediatric foot care is a podiatry subspecialty that diagnoses and treats foot-related health problems in children and teens. Young people experience many of the same foot and ankle problems as adults, but because their bodies are still growing, the symptoms often present differently.
If your child experiences foot or ankle pain that doesn’t improve with treatments like ice and rest, contact Dr. Santellana. The sooner your child receives a diagnosis, the sooner you can take steps to improve their quality of life.
At Greater San Antonio Podiatry, Dr. Santellana uses pediatric foot care to diagnose a wide range of foot problems, including:
Ingrown toenails form when your child’s nail grows into their skin instead of out and away from their toe. As the nail grows further into the skin, it causes redness, swelling, and pain. If your child has diabetes or another circulatory problem, it may even cause an infection.
Plantar warts are hard, painful bumps that form on the weight-bearing areas of your child’s feet. Warts aren’t a serious problem, but they can make it difficult to stand up, walk, or play sports. Dr. Santellana offers several noninvasive treatments for warts that provide immediate relief.
If your child has flat feet, it means the soles of their feet make complete contact with the ground whenever they stand up or take a step. All babies are born with flat feet, but arches typically form between the ages of 3 and 6. Sometimes, arches don’t form. When that occurs, it increases your child’s risk of foot, leg, and back pain.
Heel pain can occur for various reasons, including plantar fasciitis and Sever’s disease. Plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury that causes inflammation of the plantar fascia –– a thick band of tissue that runs from your child’s heel to their toes. Sever’s disease occurs due to inflammation in the growth plate at the back of the heel.
At Greater San Antonio Podiatry, Dr. Santellana provides pediatric foot care onsite.
First, he reviews your child’s medical records and asks about their symptoms, including when they started, their severity, and if they’re worse during certain activities, like exercise. Next, Dr. Santellana conducts a physical exam. He looks for bruising, redness, or swelling and checks your child’s flexibility, muscle strength, and range of motion.
If necessary, Dr. Santellana might also order X-rays to look at the bones and joints in your child’s feet and ankle. After making a diagnosis, Dr. Santellana makes treatment recommendations.
If your child needs pediatric foot care, make an appointment at Greater San Antonio Podiatry by calling the office or booking online today.