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Back to School Homework

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The Back to School Season is here, so that means we have some preparation homework to complete. Before your kids begin classes — online or in-person — there are a few things to consider. School supplies, of course, but what about your child’s shoes? Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari of the Carrollton Foot Center is here to remind you of a few more to-do items so your child is prepared for the first day.

Verify the size

It might be time for another pair of shoes. Children’s feet grow quickly, but it can be easy to assume they are still wearing the same size. It is especially true if you don’t hear complaints. Depending on the age, a child may give you other signs, including skipping over a certain pair of shoes or no longer doing the activities they enjoy. To avoid guessing, have your child’s feet measured properly.

Check for a full recovery

If your child had an injury recently, schedule an appointment with our office so we can confirm a full recovery. Returning to running, jumping, or walking in the wrong shoes can cause a reinjury. Pay attention to how your child moves throughout the day. Look for hesitation or signs of discomfort. Don’t ignore these signs.

Ask about orthotics

Custom orthotics are devices used to help fix foot and ankle conditions. For children, orthotics are helpful because they correct issues at an early age and promote healthy development. These devices are just for your children, so we are focusing specifically on areas causing pain or discomfort. Schedule an appointment with us to see if orthotics are the best option for your child.

We’re still here to help. We continue to follow CDC guidelines to protect you and our staff, and we are ready to support your family and kick off a healthy school year. If you’re not ready to visit our office, consider our telemedicine option. You will receive the same excellent care. Call us at (469) 998-3668. We are located at 4221 Medical Parkway, STE 450, Carrollton, TX.

6 Warning Signs for Baby’s Feet

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There is so much involved when planning for your first child that it can be overwhelming to cover everything before the baby comes! With so much planning to do and so little time, we thought it would be helpful to go over our favorite tip when going over what to look out for as your new addition grows at home. Your baby’s health overall is important, but taking a close look at their whole body is something that can be glossed over – especially when it comes to their feet, ankles, and toes. The best habit you can develop isn’t just to snuggle up as often as you can while they’re still tiny but to keep a close eye on how they change physically over time.

Here some important signs to look for when it comes to baby’s feet, ankles, and toes:

  • Discoloration in the toenails or skin on the feet
  • No response to the physical touch of the feet
  • Baby avoiding anything touching their feet at all
  • Swelling or decreased mobility of their feet and ankles
  • Scrunched or cramped looking toes
  • Slow toenail growth or no growth at all

Peeping in on your baby’s toes daily can help avoid letting one of these 6 warning signs silently developing or worsening. It’s so much fun to play and bond with your baby, you can even incorporate these feet, ankle, and toe check-ups during diaper changes, bathing, or snuggle time. This can mean the difference between your baby later on developing issues like bunions, hammertoes, flat feet, or plantar fasciitis, and having healthy, happy feet and ankles. If and when anything catches your eye, be sure to reach out to Dr. Lily Khavari at Carrollton Foot Center. It’s never too early to start a relationship between your child and a trusted, kid-friendly podiatrist! Call us today at (469) 998-3668 to schedule your consult.

Orthotics – Big and Small

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There’s a myth among many patients in the podiatric world that specialized footwear like custom orthotics is exclusively for adults. This couldn’t be farther from the truth! In fact, starting your child off young in orthotics can help them out in the long run…pun intended. Think about it: when you hang around your kids today, aren’t you amazed (and maybe even a bit jealous) of the sheer amounts of energy they display on a daily basis? What is the majority of their energy spent doing? They are busy running, jumping, climbing, hopping, skipping, and exploring their environment.

Why Does My Child Need Orthotics?

Here in Texas, their exploration can be additionally draining on the feet when you consider the heat and the types of rough, rocky surfaces they might be on. Since our feet and ankles take the brunt of our weight during any physical activity, it makes sense to want to protect them as early on as possible from long-term damage. This can help prevent them from needing treatments like shockwave therapy or bunion surgery later on in life. While we don’t expect you to put your toddler into a pair of orthotics, pre-teenaged children and young adults can greatly benefit from wearing custom orthotics. When you or your child wears a pair of custom orthotics, your feet will be manipulated into their proper positioning. Be it soft or firm, the biomechanics of orthotics are formed to the unique and individual shape of your feet, cradling them in the form they benefit from the most. Because orthotics is considered a biomechanical medical tool, you can only get a pair of real orthotics through a podiatrist that has prescribed them to you or your child.

Use this as your opportunity to get your child started on a healthy relationship with their podiatrist, especially if your child is particularly active and athletic. Dr. Lilly Khavari has all the answers! Call our office today at (469) 998-3668 to schedule your child’s first, or next appointment at our great location in Carrollton, Texas.

The Podiatry Scene for Teens

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As a teenager, we’re sure you remember hearing a lot of adults joke about how they wish they could be as energetic and physically resilient as they once were. What a lot of people don’t realize is that not all of our bones, joints, and tendons in our feet and ankles are fully formed in our early years! From around 12 to 15 years of age, for example, the growth plate of our heel bone is still finishing up its development. As you can imagine, children and teenagers age 12 to 15 are especially susceptible during this age period to developing inflammation, irritation, generalized pain, and sustaining injuries to the feet or ankles. Early acknowledgement can help avoid surgical intervention in the future! Even minor issues like corns, calluses, or ingrown toenails are important to look out for!

In most cases, this is due to how active and energetic children and teenagers are during these years. While we would never want to discourage physical activity and joining in on the fun, it’s important to keep the vulnerability of their feet and ankles in mind during these years. The repetitive stress of sports, skateboarding, track and field, as well as many other outdoor activities are likely culprits for early trauma and injuries for children and teens. It’s never too early to establish a relationship with a podiatrist, like Dr. Lilly Khavari, for your active child or teenager.

Recognizing and acknowledging symptoms of pain and discomfort in your child or teenagers feet and ankles is important. Start by asking your child or teenager how their typical activities are going, be it the soccer team or cheerleading. If your child or teenager spends two or more days per week at practice, ask them how they feel their sports shoes are feeling lately. This simple gesture can give you huge insight into any current or developing problems your child or teenager may be facing regarding foot and ankle pain. In the event that something comes up or you notice physical changes in your child or teenager, like a slight limp or a change in the way they walk, schedule an appointment with Dr. Khavari at our convenient location in Carrollton, Texas by calling 469-998-3668 today!

 

 

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We’d love to hear any question or concern you have.

4221 Medical Parkway
STE 450
Carrollton, TX

(469) 998-3668

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