Children's Foot Health

First Steps: Keeping Kids’ Feet Healthy and Happy

Whether it is a precious baby's first steps or a quick-maneuvering teenager's winning soccer goal, healthy feet and sure-footedness make milestones in a child's life possible. Starting at birth, paying close attention to your little one's feet from proper grooming to gait will ensure a solid foundation as your youngster grows. After all, their feet are meant to last a lifetime!

Luckily, today's podiatrist is uniquely qualified among medical professionals to treat the complex structure of the foot and ankle, based on their education, training, and experience. They can provide guidance for keeping children's feet healthy at all developmental stages, and treat any injuries or abnormalities.

Learn more about promoting children's foot health with APMA's new "First Steps" campaign. A suite of patient education materials are available, including a brochure, poster, customizable newsletter, videos and even a Pinterest board of children's products that have earned the APMA Seal of Acceptance.

To learn more about children's foot health, or if you suspect your child is experiencing foot pain, visit a podiatrist!

For Parents:

Video: Today's Podiatrist Keeps Children Moving
APMA member Misty McNeill, DPM, talks about ways parents can read the "silent signs" of children's foot pain.
Helpful Kids' Shoe Shopping Tips
Make sure your child's footwear passes the "1-2-3 Test" with this helpful tip sheet. Check out the video, too, on our YouTube page.
Join the Conversation
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn to hear more about topics related to foot health year-round.
First Steps Pinboard
APMA is collecting and organizing products and information related to children's foot health on our APMA Pinterest account.

For APMA Members:

Special Edition Footprints
This customizable, printable member-to-patient newsletter provides an overview of children's foot health and tips for healthy, happy feet.
Order a Free Poster for Your Office
APMA members can request a free First Steps poster.
Pediatric Footwear: What You Need to Know*
Finding the correct shoe to complement your care.
Building Your Podopediatric Practice*
Expert panelists discuss current topics in this subspecialty.
Down Syndrome: A Serious Pediatric/Podiatric Issue*
Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the lives of these patients.
Assessing The Role of Gait Analysis in Pediatric Patients With Flatfoot*
Diagnostic insights to inform one's biomechanical exam and gait assessment.
Pediatrics Track at The National
The APMA 2014 Annual Scientific Meeting featured a dedicated pediatrics track covering fractures, flatfoot, and more.