Pediatric and geriatric foot care Glendale AZ

Pediatric & Geriatric Foot Care in Glendale, AZ

Foot health matters at every age — but the concerns of a growing child’s foot are very different from those of an aging adult’s. At Sole Foot & Ankle Specialists, our board-certified podiatrists provide specialized foot care tailored to the unique needs of both the youngest and oldest members of your family. Serving Glendale, Phoenix, Peoria, Sun City, and surrounding communities, we are your trusted partner in lifelong foot health.

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Pediatric Foot Care

A child’s foot is not simply a miniature adult foot — it is a rapidly developing structure that undergoes significant biomechanical and structural changes from infancy through adolescence. The foot contains mostly cartilage at birth, which gradually ossifies (hardens into bone) through the teenage years. This developmental window creates both opportunities for early intervention and risks from untreated problems that can shape the foot for life.

Early evaluation and treatment by a podiatrist can prevent minor developmental issues from becoming painful, function-limiting problems in adulthood. Parents should watch for any signs of foot or gait abnormalities, foot pain, or developmental concerns.

Common Pediatric Foot Conditions We Treat

  • Flat feet (pediatric pes planus): Most young children have flat feet as the arch develops; however, persistent flat feet beyond age 6 to 8 or flat feet causing pain, affecting activity, or associated with gait problems warrant evaluation and possibly custom orthotics
  • In-toeing and out-toeing: Gait patterns where feet point inward or outward; many resolve spontaneously, but persistent or worsening cases benefit from evaluation to determine the level of rotational problem
  • Toe walking: Walking on tiptoes past the age when it’s developmentally normal may indicate tight Achilles tendons, neurological issues, or sensory processing differences
  • Growing pains: Nighttime leg aches in school-age children may reflect biomechanical stress — flat feet and gait abnormalities often contribute and respond to orthotic intervention
  • Sever’s disease (calcaneal apophysitis): A common cause of heel pain in active children ages 8 to 14, caused by traction on the growth plate by the Achilles tendon — treated with orthotics, stretching, and activity modification
  • Ingrown toenails: Extremely common in children and teenagers — see our Ingrown Toenail Treatment page
  • Plantar warts: Children are more susceptible to HPV and develop plantar warts frequently — professional treatment prevents spreading
  • Sports injuries: Growth plate fractures, ankle sprains, and overuse injuries require podiatric evaluation specific to the developing foot

Our Approach to Pediatric Patients

Our podiatrists take a developmentally informed approach to pediatric foot care. We evaluate each child’s specific foot structure and gait in the context of their age and developmental stage — not every variation from “normal” requires treatment. We prioritize the least invasive, most effective approach, and involve parents fully in all treatment decisions. Our offices are designed to be welcoming and stress-free for children of all ages.

Geriatric Foot Care

As we age, the feet undergo cumulative wear-and-tear that, combined with systemic health changes, creates a distinct set of foot care needs. The most important truth about geriatric foot care is this: foot pain and problems are not a normal, inevitable part of aging — they are conditions that can be effectively managed to preserve mobility, independence, and quality of life well into advanced age.

Our geriatric foot care programs are designed to be comprehensive, preventive, and realistic — meeting each senior patient where they are in their health journey. See our dedicated Geriatric Foot Care page for detailed information about the specific conditions and services we provide for older adults.

Common Geriatric Foot Conditions We Treat

Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric & Geriatric Foot Care

At what age should I bring my child to a podiatrist for the first time?

A child’s first podiatric visit is warranted any time a parent, teacher, or pediatrician notices a foot or gait concern. There is no mandatory “first visit” age — evaluations are appropriate from infancy through adolescence whenever questions arise. Common reasons for early visits include persistent toe walking, significant in-toeing or out-toeing, limping, or refusal to participate in physical activities due to foot pain. Earlier evaluation generally means more options and better outcomes when intervention is needed.

My child walks with feet turned in — should I be concerned?

Mild in-toeing (pigeon-toeing) in young children is extremely common and often resolves on its own by age 7 to 8. However, in-toeing that is severe, worsening rather than improving, affecting only one side, causing tripping or falls, or persisting beyond age 8 to 9 should be evaluated by a podiatrist. The level where the rotation originates (foot, shin, or hip) determines the appropriate intervention, which may range from watchful waiting to custom orthotics to physical therapy.

Is flat feet in children always something that needs to be treated?

No. Flat feet are developmentally normal in young children — the arch doesn’t fully develop until around age 6 to 8. After that age, flat feet that don’t cause pain, don’t affect activity, and aren’t associated with excessive pronation typically don’t require treatment. Flat feet that cause pain, fatigue, gait abnormalities, or affect participation in sports or physical activity benefit from evaluation and often respond well to custom orthotics and age-appropriate footwear.

What is Sever’s disease, and is it serious?

Sever’s disease (calcaneal apophysitis) is the most common cause of heel pain in children ages 8 to 14. It is not a true “disease” but rather a painful irritation of the heel bone’s growth plate caused by traction from the Achilles tendon during periods of rapid growth. It is very common in active children who play sports and is typically self-limiting — resolving when growth plate closure occurs. Treatment includes rest, stretching, heel cushions, and sometimes custom orthotics. It is not dangerous and does not cause permanent damage when managed appropriately.

How can I tell if my elderly parent needs to see a podiatrist?

Signs that warrant a podiatric evaluation include: any change in walking pattern or gait, new foot pain or leg pain while walking, foot swelling, visible nail changes (thickening, discoloration), skin breakdown or open sores, calluses or corns that are growing, difficulty with footwear, or a first fall related to foot or balance issues. For seniors with diabetes, any of these signs — or simply the passage of 6 to 12 months since the last foot exam — is reason to schedule a visit.

Can children wear custom orthotics?

Yes. Custom orthotics are commonly and effectively used in children with flat feet, gait abnormalities, Sever’s disease, and overuse injuries. Pediatric orthotics are sized appropriately and typically need to be replaced every 1 to 2 years as the foot grows. Our podiatrists evaluate each child individually and prescribe orthotics only when there is clinical evidence they will provide meaningful benefit — we don’t over-treat normal developmental variations.

Are there specific shoes I should buy for my child or elderly parent?

For children: look for flexible soles that allow natural foot movement, good heel support, a wide and deep toe box, and fasteners (velcro or laces) that hold the shoe securely to the foot. Avoid very stiff shoes or heavy boots for young children. For elderly adults: prioritize a wide toe box to accommodate bunions or swollen feet, non-slip soles, low heels, cushioned insoles, and secure adjustable closures. Our podiatrists provide personalized footwear recommendations at every visit based on each patient’s foot shape, diagnosis, and lifestyle.