2 year old daughter hurt pinky toe

Hello!

My 2 year old daughter is a climber and although I keep a tight watch on her she will manage to climb up faster than I can run.

She fell from her drawing easel chair and hurt her pinky toe. She wouldn't walk on it for a few hours and it immediately became swollen and warm to the touch on the toe and the outside of her foot. I applied ice and gave her ibuprofen. She is walking on it now, however it is black and blue around the base of her toe. I wanted to take her to urgent care, however my husband has a "wait and see" approach. I guess the question I have is whether or not this could be a more serious injury affecting growth plates and possible fractures.

I appreciate any feedback.

Teresa

Hi Teresa,
If the toe is fractured, which it may be, the growth plate could be affected, you need to get an x-ray and have the toe examined.
On a side note, speak to your pediatrician about giving your child ibuprofen; I am not sure that is the best choice in pain relievers for a person so young.
Marc Mitnick DPM

lump on front of my son foot

by LINDA
(GRANTHAM.UK)

MY SON IS 11YEARS OLD.AND WE HAVE FIND A LUMP ON FRONT OF IS FOOT.IT IS A PEASIZE LUMP.

Hi Linda,
I have no idea what it is without actually being able to see it, but I would tell you that any abnormal growth, anywhere on the body, should be looked at by a doctor regardless of whether or not it hurts.
Marc Mitnick DPM

curved middle toes on my childs feet toward big toe

by Jenae
(KCMO, US)

I had noticed before but thought it was just their little toes growing but now Im concerned. On my 7 year old daughter and my 4 year old son on both their feet their middle toes are curved to the side towards the big toe. What is this how concerned should I be? I called an orthopedic foot doc and he said I needed to see a pediatrice orthopedic doc and when I called them they said I needed to see their physician first. Any recommendations on who to see and what they will recommend to do to correct this?

I live in Kansas City MO

Thanks in advance - Jenae

Hi Jenae,
Make your life simpler, go see a podiatrist. I would "guess" if it is occurring in both your children, it is a congenital problem and if it does not cause them any discomfort, you can ignore the problem.
But let an expert actually see the problem so it can be adequately addressed.
Marc Mitnick DPM

curved middle toes on my childs feet toward big toe

by Jenae
(KCMO, US)

I had noticed before but thought it was just their little toes growing but now Im concerned. On my 7 year old daughter and my 4 year old son on both their feet their middle toes are curved to the side towards the big toe. What is this how concerned should I be? I called an orthopedic foot doc and he said I needed to see a pediatrice orthopedic doc and when I called them they said I needed to see their physician first. Any recommendations on who to see and what they will recommend to do to correct this?

I live in Kansas City MO

Thanks in advance - Jenae

Hi Jenae,
Make your like simpler, go see a podiatrist. I would "guess" if it is occurring in both your children, it is a congenital problem and if it does not cause them any discomfort, you can ignore the problem.
But let an expert actually see the problem so it can be adequately addressed.
Marc Mitnick DPM

8 year old with a limp and pain in his heel

by Leslie Alvarez
(Fort Worth, TX)

My 8 year old son has had a limp for quite a while that seems to have gotten worse as he has gotten older. At first I didn't think too much about it as he is into sports but now it is even more noticable. He complains of pain in his left heel and has a visible limp if you watch him closely. He is a big boy for his size and has always been big. He has never had any injuries to his legs or feet. What could be causing this?

Hi Leslie,
Read my section on apophysitis and see if it does not sound like your son's symptoms.
Marc Mitnick DPM

9 yr old dghtr has pea-sized nodule 1/2" above where her ankle bends back; directly on Achilles Tendon

by Kathy Garrett
(Parkersburg, WV)

My 9 yr old suffered a severe traumatic sprain with torn tendons in her left foot at age 5. It took several weeks of rest, pain medication and therapy for her to regain full use of her foot. It also left her with this pea-size nodule on her AT. She was already "blessed" with weak ankles and a passion for ballet. We have just enrolled her in ballet 2 weeks ago. Three days ago she attempted roller skating and then yesterday was accidentally hit in the back of he ankle, exactly on that nodule. She dropped to the floor in agony. She is unable to place any weight on it, nor is she able to flex it towards her or away. The top and sides are slightly swollen and behind each ankle bone and on the tendon itself, we are unable to touch without her crying out in pain. The pain radiates upwards from the nodule @ 2" before she is pain free to the touch. This, unfortunately, is not the first time this has happened since she was five. I have asked the doctors if this was Achilles Tendonitis or Chronic pain that she will have to live with and I get no concrete, satisfying response. Just more lost school days, a little girl in pain and alot of frustration. Dated 09-30-2009.

Hi Kathy,
If she is in that much pain and cannot stand on it, you have make sure she does not have a partial tear of the achilles tendon. It would not be surprising since it sounds like she has an inherent weakness in the achilles tendon to begin with.
Once this problem is resolved, you might want to look into a brace to protect the achilles tendon so it does not become a chronic problem.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Heel fissure on toddler

by Elfreda
(Bela Bela, South Africa)

Hi

My daughter is 3 years old and since she was 1, she has been battling with dry and cracked heels. Every morning and evening we massage her feet with (well, we have tried just about every product available in South Africa) currently using a Lennons cream- which seems to help with the fissures, but does not address the cause. We put cream on and cover with plasters at night and in the morning, trying to get her to where closed shoes as often as possible, but the problem remains cronic. Lately I've upped her fish (salmon as well) intake to see if the fishy oils would not help from the inside, but it does not seem to have any effect as yet - please help, what could cause such a problem and what else can I do? There are no callouses just soft cracked (and often bleeding and painful) heels?

Thanx
Elfreda

Hi Elfreda,
There is a condition seen in toddlers known as atopic dermatitis which is a type of eczema.
Atopic means there is a hereditary factor here. I suggest this because most skin conditions in young children will disappear quickly, but obviously for your child this seems to be an ongoing condition.
Like all eczema there is usually a precipitating factor. In your case it might be from your child going around barefoot and reacting to something on the ground.
Your best bet would be to see a dermatologist especially one who specializes in children's disease.
One thing you can try is to apply whatever cream or lotion you are using at night and wrapping the heel in plastic wrap and putting a sock on over the wrap. Assuming your child will tolerate it, doing so will allow for better absorption of the cream and may improve the problem.
Good luck.
Marc Mitnick DPM

my 12 year old has painful piezogenic pedal papules

by trena
(dierks arkansas)

we have seen many drs. over the last 6 years. no dr knows what to do for her. i am at a lost with this. she has taken hydrocodone nuerotin had leg casts heel inserts, what can we do for her? we have seen ever foot dr. within our state.please help

Hi Trena,
Assuming you have tried heel cups (the plastic egg shell looking ones) and they have not helped then your next option would be to consider having them removed. The fat is pushed back behind the fascia and the fascia is then sewn closed.
Sometimes the pain associated with piezogenic papules is due to an associated nerve also protruding through the fascia. In these instances injecting them with denatured alcohol may eliminate the pain even though the fat will still protrude. Obviously this is a less invasive procedure.
Although I have seen a few cases of piezogenic papules over the years I have never seen a case where they were terribly painful so my suggestions are just based on common sense and not from any previous experience.
Marc Mitnick DPM

what should I do for my daughter who is intoeing and walking on the edge of her foot

by Amanda
(Lavon, TX)

My daughter's intoeing on the left foot. She is 20 months and the problem has been progressively getting worse. I first noticed the intoeing around 15 months. She is now walking on the edge of her foot as if she is compensating for something. Every day the foot looks more intoed and I am really worried about it.

Hi Amanda,
It is not uncommon for young children to intoe. Most will out grow the problem. The concern I have here is that you state the condition seems to be getting worse. For that reason she should be seen by a doctor in order to determine where the intoeing is coming from as there are different sources.
The good news is that she is still relatively young and there is treatment available.
Marc Mitnick DPM

my sons left foot is swollen below the toes, tender to walk on and feels very warm

by steve
(vermont)

His foot is swollen below his toes, it is very red compared to his other foot.
It feels very hot compared to his other foot or body. He can walk on it but says it is tender
Do we need to see a Doctor?
Should we elevate it?
Soak it?
he can not remenber hurting his foot, stepping on anything etc..
He plays basketball, but only practices twice a week, he can't remember anything happening during practice.

Hi Steve,
The short answer is yes he needs to see a doctor, his symptoms are abnormal and they need to be investigated. Two things come to mind with the short history you have given me: stress fracture or possible infection both of which require medical care.
Marc Mitnick DPM

my daughter has brown spot on the bottom of her foot

by Clifton Dockery
(Mississauga, Ontario, Canada)

My daughter showed me a brown spot on the bottom of her foot lastnight. It is about the size of a dime and almost a perfect circle. She says it does not hurt at all. She is 11 years old i'm very concerned.

Thank you

Hi Clifton,
You should certainly have a podiatrist or a dermatologist look at the brown spot. You do not usually see something like this in an eleven year old.
It may be nothing or it might be something that should be removed, in either event, only a doctor can make that determination.
Marc Mitnick DPM

ankle and foot bruised and extremely sore on my daughter....

by Kristen
(East Wenatchee, Washington State)

My Daughter fell off the Monkey Bars at school during recess, and explains to me that when she fell, she landed with her toes curled under her foot, and landed on top part of foot....She can put some weight on it, but not much, and her toes are swollen, definate bruising all around her foot, and also bruising on bottom of foot and bottom of toes....Toes and Foot are extremely swollen....

Hi Kristen,
I will not go into much detail about what kind of damage may or may not have been done, but would rather suggest you take her to a foot specialist to have an xray and examination to determine the extent of injury.
In children you cannot always get an accurate assessment of just how much or how little pain they are in, plus in this age range you need to be concerned about damage to the growth plate of the bones in the foot, which if broken, could have a negative impact on the ability of the bone to keep growing.
Marc Mitnick DPM

Flexible versus firm shoe at what toddler age?

by Melanie
(Fort walton beach, Florida)

I understand that a baby just walking needs a flexible shoe. At what age (3 year old, 5, 8, etc..) is it recommended that the shoes become firm with a flexible forefoot versus staying with a super flexible/bendable/no real support shoe? Anotherwords, is it detrimental for a 3 or 5 or 8 year old, etc. to be wearing a SUPER flexible, soft, leather no support, "like being barefoot" shoe? So, at what age does it switch and why?

Hi Melanie,
A good question, but a rule of thumb would be that after three years of age and assuming no foot problems, mixing up the type of shoes your child wears would be the best advice I could give you.
Your question is part of the debate on whether you should allow you child's foot to develop naturally by going barefoot and wearing flexible shoes or, should the child wear rigid shoes in an effort to support the arch and the formation of the bones in the feet.
So, I think common ground should be sought here and a good mixture of shoes would be your best bet.
Marc Mitnick DPM

4 Year Old With Very Sweaty Feet

by Jennifer
(Ohio)

Hello,

My almost 4 yr old daughter has had very sweaty hands and feet since forever. I used to have the same thing, but as I've grown into an adult it's subsided a bit, not dripping sweat or anything. And I use the Secret Clinical Deodorant and it works perfect. But I am worried about my daughter. Our other daughter doesn't experience this at ALL. I am particularly worried b/c this morning, she came into the kitchen and slipped b/c of her very sweaty feet! I saw all the wet marks on the floor and now I'm very worried. I can't get her into the Dr's for a few weeks, and I don't want to take her to the ER, hence it not being an Emergency. So, any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

~Very worried Mommy

Hi Jennifer,
Until you can get her into the doctor try a product called Drysol, but be careful to not over dry her feet.
Marc Mitnick DPM

8 year old daughter has painful bunions

by Blanca
(Arizona)

Hello Dr., My 8 year old daughter has bunions on both of her feet. She has had them now for about a year and a half. I took her to a podiatrist last year who suggested she wear comfortable shoes and wait until she is older to possibly consider surgery. She has complained off and on about pain, but up until recently it is becoming more frequently. My question to you would be if you recommend a splint for her or any type of affordable orthotics. Thank you, Blanca

Hi Blanca,
If your daughter is excessively flat footed, then an orthotic might give her some relief as the orthotic will improve the alignment of the bunion joint. This will not cure her problem but should relieve some of her pain.
Your podiatrist is correct in that your daughter will have to wait until she is older in order to consider surgical correction, this is because her bones have not finished growing and you do not want to operate on a bone that is still growing.
Marc Mitnick DPM

My daughter has this hard little bump on the bottom of her foot.

by sarah
(md)

She is 2 and it kind of looks like a callus its probably about the size of the tip of my finger and it has this like this round white spot on it and it looks like dry skin but she wont let anyone touch it she says it hurts so im just trying to figure out what it is.

Hi Sarah,
I am only guessing since I cannot examine your daughter, but my first thought would be a wart. If it hurts and it is an abnormal finding it should be examined by her pediatrician or a podiatrist.
Marc Mitnick DPM

my 1.5year old son won't put any weight on his left foot

by David Dykes
(Victoria, TX)

Yes, I'm concerned about my son. My wife tells me that a few times a day our son's left foot will turn out abnormally and he won't put any weight on his left foot. He's in pain when this happens and refuses to walk and put weight on that side when this is happening to him. My wife has taken him to the emergency room several times as this is happening to him but it always turns out that by the time she can get him through all the waiting in the er this problem he's having will go away and he appears to be normal by the time anyone can see him. Her and I both think that he at least needs x-rays but this can never be justified when he appears to be normal by the time someone can check him out. Please help us. Our son is in pain when this happens to him and it seems to be increasing in the amount of times a day it happens to him. We've both thought about the possibility of some type of cramps but we just don't know what to do for him. We don't want him to be in pain but we both feel like he needs to be seen as this is happening to him in order for him to have a better diagnosis of the problem. What can we do for our son?????????

Hi David,
The emergency room is not your solution. Take your son to a podiatrist and accurately explain the problem to he or she, this can be done even if your son is not in pain at the time.
Prior to going, ask your wife to try and keep track of his activity so that when the pain begins, she might be able to get some clues as to whether a certain activity set it off. Perhaps he was running around a lot and the pain began, or perhaps he was sitting "funny" with his foot in an awkward position.
This type of information will be very helpful to the doctor.
Marc Mitnick DPM

9 yr. old acute foot pain after nail in foot and being cored by dr.

by linda
(texas)

have 9 yr. old stuck nail in foot 2 weeks ago saturday. went to dr. got tetanus shot and antibiotic Mon.called dr. several times because of acute pain.saturday went to hospital ,more antibiotic given,x-ray showed nothing .tues. cored the foot he called it and pulled out a piece of something.gave pain medication and told to keep taking antibiotic.saturday still acute pain no pain medication but motrin or tylenol back to hospital x-ray showed nothing given naproxin 250 mg twice daily.swelling going down seems to have worse pain currently on clindamycin 150mg and naproxen250mg tylenol.whats wrong?

Hi Linda,
The biggest concern I would have would be the possibility of a bone infection (osteomyelitis). Although the xrays are negative it may still be too early to see changes on xray. I would suggest you ask your doctor about having a bone scan performed or perhaps an MRI to look to see if there is any bone involvement.

Marc Mitnick DPM