The human foot is a remarkable piece of engineering that can provide a lifetime of use and support. The health of one’s foot can often be the difference between an active and enjoyable life, or one crippled by discomfort and limitation. The period of development during infancy can be crucial to an adulthood of healthy feet. This article will discuss some of the ways parents can ensure proper foot development, and what to look out for that could indicate a developmental problem.
The development of the human foot begins in the embryo stage, and continues throughout the time we spend in the womb. When a baby is born, all the components that a foot needs for proper function are generally present, with the exception of several bones that are only cartilage at that point. Overall,
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100 Authentic Womens Air Jordan 13 Ray Allen PE, and needs little external help. Parents do have the ability improve this development, and can play a role in assuring proper development. One of the simplest ways to support this development is to let the baby kick and move their legs. Leg strength, muscle development, and overall range of motion will have a positive effect on proper foot function in the future, as a poorly functional leg will lead to poor foot function. To support this motion, parents should keep their babies uncovered and unrestricted, allowing the legs to kick away. This improves and strengthens the hips, knees, ankles, and foot joints, and will help muscle mass and coordination to grow.
Likewise, little restriction should be placed on the feet at this stage. Infants who do not walk do not need shoes for protection, as shoes can restrict the natural development of the foot structure and internal foot strength. During early infancy, the foot is still somewhat pliable, and poorly fitting shoes have the potential of causing foot deformity. Once walking begins, shoes should still be avoided for a short while as the foot needs the pressure of the direct ground to stimulate strength and structural stability development. Of course, when walking on rough or hazardous surfaces outside the home, the infant will need shoes for protection. All walking in the safety of home should be performed without shoes to promote proper foot development. When shoes must be worn, they need to be properly fitting, with enough space for the foot to fit without being too big. Trying to shove a little foot into a tight shoe can be harmful to development,
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Walking should not be forced in an infant. There is no set age for the development of walking,
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Other than allowing for motion and reducing shoe restriction,
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One of the biggest concerns parents have about their baby’s feet are the presence of any deformities that may lead to future problems. Serious deformities of the foot are uncommon at birth,
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Once the child begins to walk, certain deformities can be seen that were not noticeable before. This includes heightened inward rotation of one of the legs,
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As the child begins to walk more,
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How Can i Buy Air Jordan 8 Playoffs 2013, or if the arch is not forming, then the child may be flat footed. This is not necessarily a deformity in the strict sense, but due to our society’s need for shoe use to protect ourselves from environmental harm (unlike traditional tribal cultures in natural environments),
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High arches are another deformity seen in childhood and infancy. This is not an uncommon deformity as the foot develops throughout childhood and adolescence,
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One final developmental cause for concern parents often have is when their child walks on their toes. Toe walking, as it is known, is usually a benign habit that the child must be encouraged to break. In this case, the child will be able to stand flat on their feet, but chose either consciously or subconsciously to walk with their heels off the ground. Constant reminders at home and physical therapy (in some difficult cases) can be used to correct this. Other cases are due to actual structural problems, including tightness of the Achilles tendon, spasticity of the rear leg muscles, or neuromuscular disease. These causes need to be addressed individually,
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As one can see, a baby’s foot is a remarkable thing,
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Dr. Kilberg provides foot and ankle care to adults and children in the Indianapolis area. He is board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery, and is a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association. Visit the practice website of this Indianapolis foot surgeon for more information.
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