January 2022

The bones in your child’s feet will develop over time— from the cartilage they were born with to ossified bones that are fully formed around the age of 18. For the first few months of their lives, babies’ feet are quite delicate. That is why the type of footwear you choose for your child is very important. You don’t want your child’s developing feet to be distorted by footwear that does not fit properly. Make sure footwear and socks are never tight. While your child’s feet are developing, the nerve endings in their feet are developing too and may not be able to signal if their feet are being squeezed or compressed. Since no two feet are the same, avoid hand-me-down shoes that may not be right for your child’s feet. Keep their toenails trimmed straight across without curving them or cutting them so short that it puts them at risk of developing an ingrown toenail. For more advice on how to best protect your child’s feet as they grow, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Deborah Holte, DPM of Northeast Missouri Foot Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Kirksville, MO . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

When a digital nerve leading to the toes becomes repetitively irritated, thickened scar tissue can form around it—entrapping the nerve and causing pain or numbness in the ball of the foot, or the feeling that you are walking on a marble or pebble. This condition is known as Morton’s neuroma—a condition named after a 19th-century American surgeon, Thomas George Morton. Morton’s neuroma most commonly occurs between the third and fourth toes, although it can also affect the nerve running between the second and third toes. Morton’s neuroma can often be caused by wearing shoes that are narrow or tight in the toe box and squeeze the toes together. A podiatrist may treat Morton’s neuroma with a variety of methods to offload pressure on the irritated nerve, along with icing and resting, custom orthotics and shoe modifications, and anti-inflammatory medications. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve pain and help the nerve to heal.

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact Deborah Holte, DPM of Northeast Missouri Foot Clinic. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.  

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.

What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?

• Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot
• Jogging, running or any sport that involves constant impact to the foot
• Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformities

Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Kirksville, MO . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

If you have injured your toe and notice that it is red, bruised, swollen, painful, or difficult to walk on, you may have broken your toe. A mild toe fracture may respond to conservative treatments, such as resting and icing the foot, taking pain medication, wearing comfortable shoes or orthotics, and taping the broken toe to the healthy toe next to it. A more severe fracture, however, will require more serious medical intervention. If you have injured your toe and have pain or swelling that lingers after two or three days, have difficulty walking up to six weeks after the initial injury, or if you have diabetes, it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist. If you have an open fracture, with the broken bone poking through your skin, please seek medical attention immediately to prevent permanent damage and infections. For more information, please consult with a podiatrist.

Broken toes may cause a lot of pain and should be treated as soon as possible. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact Deborah Holte, DPM from Northeast Missouri Foot Clinic. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

What Is a Broken Toe?

A broken toe occurs when one or more of the toe bones of the foot are broken after an injury. Injuries such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may cause a toe fracture.

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

• Swelling
• Pain (with/without wearing shoes)
• Stiffness
• Nail Injury

Although the injured toe should be monitored daily, it is especially important to have a podiatrist look at your toe if you have severe symptoms. Some of these symptoms include worsening or new pain that is not relieved with medication, sores, redness, or open wounds near the toe.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Kirksville, MO . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.